Statistical analysis digs into current called worker shortage

Each year, WELS collects data from all congregations and schools. WELS Congregational Services compiles this data into a comprehensive statistical report and publishes a statistical summary and analysis.

The 2023 statistical summary shares some good news for which we give thanks to God. Post COVID, churches have been doing some intensive shepherding work. While pastors and elders are identifying some who have left the church, the Lord is blessing their efforts to encourage other members to become more involved. So last year, even though WELS total membership declined by about 5,300 (-1.6 percent), the number of WELS members participating in in-person weekly worship increased by almost 8,000 (+6.7 percent). Adult Bible study and Sunday school also saw large increases in participation. In 2023, WELS congregations were blessed with almost 5,800 adult spiritual gains, the highest total in more than a decade.

The statistical analysis for 2023 also digs into the shortage of called workers. The high vacancy rates for pastors and teachers have led to the perception that WELS has fewer called workers than in the past. The analysis demonstrates that this is inaccurate. In 1990, WELS had about 318,000 communicant members, the statistical high. In 2023, WELS congregations reported having 264,500 communicant members, a decline of almost 17 percent. Yet WELS has about 970 more teachers today than in 1990, an increase of over 46 percent (see graph). Moreover, WELS has almost the exact same number of active pastors today as in 1990 (see graph). WELS’ staff ministry program did not exsist in 1990; more than 100 staff ministers serve the synod today.

So the reality is WELS has more called workers active today than at any point in WELS history. So how can there be a high vacancy rate? The Lord has simply increased the gospel opportunities before us: to grow local ministries, particularly school expansion; to start new congregations around the country; and to plant new confessional beachheads around the world.

The statistical analysis discusses the importance of strengthening efforts to recruit people for gospel ministry as well as creating new pipelines by which one can enter ministry. It also reviews the increasing challenge of those efforts in light of the fact that the need for called workers is growing at approximately 2 percent annually at the same time WELS membership is declining at approximately 1.3 percent annually.

The goal in producing the statistical analysis is not to provide all the answers to these strategic questions but simply to present the information needed for prayerful deliberation and informed discussion.

Author: Jonathan Hein
Volume: 111, Number 08
Issue: August 2024