World news and commentary: November 2024

Insurance rates rise

Many US churches were surprised this year when they suddenly lost their property insurance coverage.

Many factors have impacted the insurance industry. Wildfires in California, hurricanes in the Gulf Coast, tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, and flooding have combined with skyrocketing construction costs in our post-COVID world. This means insurance companies are paying out large claims, and their reserves are shrinking. Church Mutual, GuideOne, and Brotherhood Mutual, who specialize in insurance for churches, have all faced a downgrade or review of their credit rating.¹ All this has led them to drop some customers and drastically raise rates for others.

This may force WELS churches and leaders into not only some tough financial decisions but also some good reflection. Where do we place our confidence in the face of natural disasters or tragedies? It’s not our umbrella policy that covers and cares for us—it’s the Lord. If the Lord allows our churches to face severe challenges, we will accept his fatherly direction in our lives. We trust him and thank our mighty God for at times using things like insurance companies to lead us to check our priorities. Yet, we do not despair when a business makes business decisions, and we pray for those ministries struggling through insurance uncertainty.

Denominational publishing fades

Book publishers are hurting, especially those connected with mainline Christian denominations.² As churches shrink, so does the audience for religious literature. In addition, adults are reading fewer books, and Amazon remains the 800-pound gorilla in the industry, doing whatever it wants to corner the market.

But there is hope with publishing houses that have a strong constituency and purpose. Northwestern Publishing House (NPH) President Jeremy Angle states, “We’ve seen the same issues with supply chains, AI-developed resources, and Amazon. There’s complexity and challenge, but thankfully NPH is strong financially, and we’ve got solid resources and support.”

Historically, our Wisconsin Synod has resolved to recognize three core activities: (1) train public ministers of the gospel, (2) carry out mission work at home and abroad, and (3) publish good Lutheran materials. Northwestern Publishing House maintains that third purpose. We praise God for books and resources faithful to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions. The slow fade of denominational publishing, however, serves as a potential harbinger. Embrace the blessing God gives us in NPH or watch it fade away.

Christian citizens exercise rights

In 2023 the Minnesota state legislature changed the Minnesota Human Rights Act (MHRA) by adding “gender identity” as a protected class without attaching a religious exemption to it. If implemented, this change would have put our churches and schools in violation of state law for upholding biblical principles and practices. The WELS Minnesota District presidium, along with the Evangelical Lutheran Synod and other faith-based organizations, signed a letter supporting a legislative proposal to insert appropriate exemption language to the MHRA. Thankfully, the religious exemption clause was restored, and the MHRA was signed into law by Governor Tim Walz on May 15, 2024.

Minnesota District President Dennis Klatt thanks WELS members in Minnesota for imploring God’s throne of grace and for contacting their elected representatives. He notes, “It is good and godly for us to exercise our rights as Christian citizens to influence our government representatives to protect our religious freedoms and uphold the natural law which God has written in human hearts.”

The MHRA cannot be used against ministries that are proclaiming and practicing the Bible’s teaching on these matters, but it is also good for Christian citizens to remain vigilant. It seems that such subtle attacks in the name of “love” and “tolerance” may become more common in our own land. The Minnesota District serves as a good example. Its people heeded the Lord’s Word: “Keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry” (2 Timothy 4:5).

Evangelical Lutheran Synod meets

On June 16–21, 2024, the Evangelical Lutheran Synod, WELS’ sister synod, held its 107th annual synod convention in Mankato, Minn., under the theme “Walk Circumspectly in the World God So Loves.” Convention essayist James Braun pointed out some of the world’s deceptive philosophies and also emphasized that the church’s call is not to change the world but to proclaim the gospel. The convention thanked Craig Ferkenstad, who retired as synod secretary. Kyle Madson became the newly elected synod secretary to serve with Vice President Michael Smith and President Glenn Obenberger.