The Synodical Council (SC) acts on behalf of the synod and the synod convention and is responsible for overseeing all activities of the synod in pursuit of its mission (other than responsibilities specifically assigned to the Conference of Presidents). The SC is responsible for overseeing the implementation of convention decisions and resolutions.

 

Members:
Rev. Mark Schroeder, Chairman
Mr. Tom Schlittenhart, Arizona-California District
Mr. Seth Hansen, Dakota-Montana District
Mr. Philip Hempel, Michigan District
Mr. Paul Holzhueter, Minnesota District
Mr. Kurt Austad, Nebraska District
Mr. David Metzger, North Atlantic  District
Mr. Ron Hillmann, Northern Wisconsin District
Mr. Warren Ehlke, Pacific Northwest District
Mr. Mark Massman, South Atlantic District
Mr. G. Harvey Dunn, South Central District
Mr. Timothy Snyder, Southeastern Wisconsin District
Mr. John Tappe, Western Wisconsin District
Rev. Douglas Engelbrecht, Conference of Presidents
Rev. Peter Naumann, Conference of Presidents
Rev. David Rutschow, Conference of Presidents
Rev. Jonathan Schroeder, Pastor-at-Large
Rev. Earle Treptow, Pastor-at-Large
Mr. James Moeller, Teacher-at-Large
Rev. Philip Koelpin, Board for World Missions
Rev. Charles Westra, Board for Home Missions
Rev. Philip Hirsch, Board for Ministerial Education
Advisors:
Rev. James Huebner, First Vice President
Rev. Joel Voss, Second Vice President
Rev. Keith Free, Administrator, Board for Home Missions
Rev. Bryan Gerlach, Director, Commission on Worship
Rev. Daniel Koelpin, Adminstrator, Board for World Missions
Rev. James Liggett, Director, Ministry of Christian Giving
Mr. Todd Poppe, Chief Financial Officer
Rev. Paul Prange, Administrator, Board for Ministerial Education
Mr. Martin Spriggs, Chief Technology Officer


As it carries out the broad oversight described above, the SC is responsible for monitoring, evaluating, and overseeing all programs of ministry carried out by the synod. A major responsibility of the SC is the management of all financial activities of the synod, assuring fiscal soundness, preparing and updating support forecasts, and monitoring expenditures to maintain a balanced budget. In years when the synod meets in convention, the SC is responsible for working with the areas of ministry to develop and propose a balanced biennial budget that supports the work of the synod in keeping with the synod's needs and its long-term plan.

The SC has oversight of the various subsidiary organizations of the synod, including WELS Church Extension Fund, WELS Foundation, WELS Investment Funds, and Northwestern Publishing House, as well as WELS Voluntary Employee Benefits Association and the WELS Pension Plan.

Long-range comprehensive planning
At its meeting in November 2009, the Synodical Council began the task of developing a long-range, comprehensive ministry plan for the synod. The plan will outline the direction of the synod's ministry in the coming years and its goals for the year 2017 (the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation). An initial report will be presented to the district conventions in June 2010, and a initial plan will be considered by the 2011 synod convention.

As it began its work on the long-range plan, the SC identified what it perceives to be strengths of our synod. Included in that list, not in any particular order, were such things as:

  • commitment to remain faithful to God's Word;
  • possessing and proclaiming the unconditional gospel with remarkable clarity;
  • an emphasis on the centrality and efficacy of the means of grace;
  • desire to extend the proclamation of the gospel at home and abroad;
  • relatively small but well organized for its mission;
  • our system of Christian education;
  • broad trust in synodical leaders;
  • homogeneity of called workers (in terms of training and theology);
  • clarity of purpose at both congregational and synodical level; and
  • an increasing worldwide and cross-cultural focus.

Areas identified as needing attention included:

  • strengthening congregations and their members;
  • improved Christian stewardship;
  • an identity to outsiders sometimes based more on what we are against than on what we are for;
  • continuing education of called workers;
  • ministry to young people (especially those of high school age);
  • congregational or local priorities taking precedence over wider opportunities;
  • a synodical structure that can be cumbersome and slow to respond to opportunities;
  • lack of trust in the means of grace;
  • need for improvement in the circuit pastor system;
  • failure to utilize fully the gifts and talents of laypeople; and
  • dwelling on our weaknesses rather than rejoicing in our God-given strengths.

The long-range plan under development will offer a broad outline of our goals for 2017 and will guide all areas of ministry in their work in the coming years. Once the plan with these goals is adopted by the synod in convention, the strategies for achieving those goals, under God, will be developed by areas of ministry and leadership groups. The long-range plan will not be static, but will be reviewed at least annually for updating and adjusting.

Groups: