Skip to main content

VISION

Embracing the call to be Christ's ambassadors

Picture this:

  • A church body that is energized by God’s promises and is not content with what is but zealously strives for what could be. 

  • A church body where all members view reaching lost souls as their personal privilege and responsibility. 

  • A church body that willingly and joyfully carries its crosses for the sake of the gospel.  

  • A church body in which members build authentic, welcoming communities through meaningful relationships with each other. 

This is the vision for “Christ through us”—that every Christian embraces the privilege of being Christ’s ambassador to reach souls in their communities and around the world.  

LRSP-wheel-pic

Our purpose as Christ's ambassadors

The Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod exists to glorify God by proclaiming the truth of the Holy Scriptures as articulated in the Lutheran Confessions—supporting congregations as they equip their members to serve as Christ’s ambassadors, training called workers to serve in the ministry of reconciliation, and coordinating mission efforts at home and abroad. 

The Christian landscape in North America has shifted. Fewer people are gathering to hear God’s Word, disinterested and disillusioned by the idea of church. The new long-range strategic plan is meant to guide ministry and address the challenges we face today—a declining membership, a death rate that exceeds the birth rate, a decreasing number of youth confirmations. This is the reality we face, but we do not face it alone. God, in his grace, continues to guide our ministry and share his message of reconciliation. 

“Christ through us” emerges as our prayerful response to these current realities. With humility before God’s grace and bold confidence in his promises, we seek to navigate this shifting landscape by supporting congregations in their effort to faithfully extend the reach of the gospel locally and abroad. To accomplish these goals, the 68th biennial synod convention approved the long-range strategic plan, “Christ through us,” to prayerfully guide our efforts through 2035.

Access the strategic plan
Read more about the plan
View "Christ through us" resolution

Hear from synod leadership

“It’s all about Christ and what he does, and we thank him that he has chosen to work through us. We are privileged that he has made undeserving sinners like us a part of that mission.”

WELS President Mark Schroeder

Rev. Mark Schroeder

WELS President

One of my goals over the next few years is to continue to encourage our support and recruitment of called workers. 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.

Rev. Joel Voss

Rev. Joel Voss

First Vice President

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…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.

Rev. John Bortulin

Rev. John Bortulin

Second Vice President

I'm grateful for the fantastic work in the "Christ through us" plan. I have long been convinced that a positive and vibrant gospel culture in a congregation fits Jesus' idea of church…I'm thrilled to be a small part of the team that can support those working hard on the goals to cultivate culture and congregational health, sending the gospel across the globe and finding more workers for the harvest.

Rev. Tyler Peil

Rev. Tyler Peil

Recording Secretary