Election news was a highlight of the 2025 synod convention.

New voting devices

During the convention orientation on Monday afternoon, delegates received training on the new electronic voting devices from Martin Spriggs, WELS’ chief technology officer. The devices streamlined the election process, allowing for a faster turnaround of results.

New synod officers

On Tuesday morning, delegates began the nominating and then voting process for synod first vice president and recording secretary. First, though, WELS President Mark Schroeder honored James Huebner and Robert Pasbrig for their service as synod first vice president and recording secretary, respectively. Both decided not to stand for reelection.

“I can’t say enough about Pastor Huebner’s faithfulness,” said Schroeder. “The wisdom that he has given to the work that we do. . . . I deeply appreciate him as God’s gift to this church, and we will miss his service.”

Huebner was elected as second vice president in 2007 and first vice president in 2009. Pasbrig was elected as recording secretary in 2005.

“What a privilege to serve alongside Pastor Pasbrig on the synod presidium these past 18 years and prior to that for 14 years on the Southeastern Wisconsin District presidium!” noted Huebner. “His role for both as recording secretary is not one that many would aspire to because of the many hours of behind-the-scenes organizing of delegates for conventions, keeping up-to-date records, and documenting the appropriate details of meetings. . . . On behalf of all who have served with him, we thank God for his kind, quiet, evangelical, pastoral spirit and devotion to the Lord of the church and our synod.”

Delegates elected Joel Voss, pastor at Resurrection, Centerville, Ohio, to serve as first vice president.

Because Voss had been serving as WELS’ second vice president, this prompted nominations for a new second vice president. John Bortulin, pastor at St. John, Mukwonago, Wis., was elected to fill the remaining two years of Voss’ term. Bortulin may be nominated and reelected to serve in future years.

Delegates then elected Tyler Peil, pastor at Prince of Peace, Salt Lake City, Utah, to serve as WELS’ recording secretary.

The first and second vice president serve as voting members of the Conference of Presidents and as advisors to the Synodical Council. The recording secretary serves as an advisory member of the Conference of Presidents. All three of these synod offices are part time; those who serve in these roles will continue to serve their present congregations.

New procedure for electing synod officers

Delegates unanimously adopted an amendment to the WELS bylaws that will change the procedure for nominating synodical officers in the future. With this amendment, convention delegates will be able to submit one name by June 1 for each office being filled. Usually elections for two synod officers are held at each convention because the synod president and second vice president are elected in alternating conventions with the synod first vice president and recording secretary.

The five nominees who receive the largest number of nominations for the office of the president and the three nominees who receive the largest number of nominations for the other three offices will comprise the ballot. Delegates will receive the ballot, along with biographical information, by June 15, with the actual election taking place at the convention. Currently, nominations for these positions first occur at the synod convention, giving delegates limited time to make informed voting decisions and the nominees little time to consider the position to which they are being called.

New synod president in 2027

Delegates also learned that WELS President Mark Schroeder is serving his final term, ending his service as synod president at the 2027 synod convention. Schroeder made the announcement after delegates adopted the resolution about the procedure for electing synodical officers.

“The next election we’ll be electing a new synod president, so I think this process will greatly help people get to know who these candidates are,” said Schroeder. “So that is my official announcement . . . that I am serving my last term that ends in 2027.”

Getting to know your synod officers

Joel Voss, first vice president: After serving as a tutor at Michigan Lutheran Seminary, Saginaw, Mich., for one year, Voss was assigned in 1989 to serve as pastor at Resurrection, Centerville, Ohio, where he has been ever since. He and his wife, Mary Lynn, have three adult children. Voss was first elected to serve as the synod’s second vice president in 2009 and served in that role until his election at this convention as synod first vice president.

“One of my goals over the next few years is to continue to encourage our support and recruitment of called workers,” says Voss. “It would seem that our called worker shortage will continue for the foreseeable future, and dealing with that issue will require evangelical advice as well as sound Christian decisions about what is best for our entire synod.”

John Bortulin, second vice president: A 2005 graduate of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wis., Bortulin was assigned to serve as the pastoral assistant to the Nebraska District president. He served in Nebraska until 2014, when he accepted his current call to St. John, Mukwonago, Wis. In 2024, Bortulin began serving as a Synodical Council member. He and his wife, Sarah, are raising five daughters.

“When I was introduced to the long-range plan at a Synodical Council meeting, I was greatly impressed with the gifted minds, the evangelical hearts, and the zealous spirit of those who put together the plan,” says Bortulin. “I also thank God for the eagerness and the willingness to serve on the part of those who carry out that plan. For my role, I see myself listening and looking for ways to support those in World Missions, Home Missions, Ministerial Education, and Congregational Services who continue to lead us over these next several years.”

Tyler Peil, recording secretary: A 2005 graduate of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Peil first served as a tutor at Michigan Lutheran Seminary, Saginaw, Mich., and then as pastor at St. John, Stanton, Neb. He’s now at Prince of Peace, Salt Lake City, Utah. He was the Nebraska District secretary for more than ten years. He and his wife, Jill, have four daughters.

“I have long been convinced that a positive and vibrant gospel culture in a congregation fits Jesus’ idea of church,” says Peil. “When support and encouragement and forgiveness and the love of Christ are flowing among believers, they want to bring their friends to their church. Healthy culture makes the place an attractive community to outsiders. So I’m thrilled to be a small part of the team that can support those working hard on the ‘Christ through us’ goals.”

Election results

First vice president—Joel Voss
Second vice president—John Bortulin
Recording secretary—Tyler Peil
Synodical council—Pastors: Jonathan Bauer, Bart Brauer; Teacher or staff minister: Thomas Plitzuweit
Board for World Missions—Chairman: Jonathan Schroeder; Teacher or staff minister: Matthew Doering
Board for Home Missions—Pastor: Matthew Brown
Board for Ministerial Education—Pastor: Aaron Voss; Teacher or staff minister: James Henrickson Jr.; Layman: Adam Zastrow
Martin Luther College Governing Board—Pastor: Steven Lange
Commission on Evangelism—Chairman: Douglas Tomhave
Commission on Lutheran Schools—Chairman: Kevin Westra
Board of Appeals—Chairman: Kenneth Brokmeier; Pastors: Steven Lange, Paul Zell; Teachers or staff ministers: Benjamin Priebe, Steven Rosenbaum, Mark Werre; Laymen: Greg Galler, William Schaefer

For more coverage of the 2025 WELS convention, visit forwardinchrist.net/convention.