“The WELS National Conference on Lutheran Leadership was designed with these two thoughts in mind. One, the Lutheran leader trusts firmly in the efficacy and sufficiency of God’s Word,” says Jonathan Hein, coordinator of WELS Congregational Services. “Two, he (or she) also understands that he has the responsibility to assess and plan ministry so that his congregation might do all it possibly can with God’s Word to disciple the faithful, seek the lost, and pursue the straying.”

On Jan. 19–21, more than 1,600 WELS members gathered for the third WELS National Conference on Lutheran Leadership, which took place in Chicago, Ill., and followed a similar format to those held in January 2020 and January 2023. Four keynote and 69 breakout presentations were anchored by an opening devotion, an opening worship service, and a closing worship service.

These worship opportunities were a highlight for many attendees.

“I thought it was amazing confessing the Apostles’ Creed with 1,600 people—like the roar of thunder behind you,” says Timothy Priewe, pastor at Mount Olive, Appleton, Wis. “It was an awesome, amazing experience.”

More than 135 women gathered at 6:30 A.M. for an additional opportunity to grow together in God’s Word through a Bible study coordinated by WELS Women’s Ministry. Melissa Brander, a member at Pilgrim, Menomonee Falls, Wis., notes, “The opportunity for fellowship and study with other women was too great to pass up. It helped start the whole day off on a good foot. It was also really great to make connections with other women who are committed to Jesus, who showed up to study and to share small parts of their lives with each other.”

With each successive leadership conference, the number of high school attendees has also grown. This year about 100 WELS high school students participated in the conference. Eli Scharrer, a student from Lakeside Lutheran High School, Lake Mills, Wis., appreciated the opportunity to talk with students from Wisconsin Lutheran High School, Milwaukee, Wis., about their small group Bible studies and got ideas from them on how to do small groups at his school.

“The biggest thing I take away from this,” says Bonnie Falch, a member at Grace, Prairie du Chien, Wis., “is all the young people that are here from high schools and colleges. It was thrilling to see them in all the breakouts that I was at ask questions and be a part of them. It makes me hopeful for the church.”

That hope is one of the key features of the conference. Members discuss the challenges of ministry today, but it’s all anchored in the hope that they have in Christ. Says Hein, “Let’s believe that, as we faithfully respond to the challenges before the church, our efforts will be blessed—not because of our wisdom and strength, but because, in his grace, Christ works through us.”

Learn more at lutheranleadership.com and watch recordings of the keynote speakers.