Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
The Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) was founded in 1850 in Wisconsin. By 1978 it had congregations in all 50 States and 24 other countries. With a U.S membership of about half a million, it is the largest of the conservative Lutheran church bodies in the world. Together with the other conservative church bodies it forms CELC, the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference.The headquarters of the demonimation is at 2929 N. Mayfair Rd., Milwaukee, WI, 53222.
The denomination is distinguished by its uniformity in doctrine and practice. Members expect each of its pastors and teachers to teach exactly the same thing from the Bible, and they are not disappointed. The synod maintains four schools of ministerial education, two at the high school level, one college, and one seminary. The two high schools are Michigan Lutheran Seminary and Luther Preparatory School. The college, in New Ulm, Minnesota, is Martin Luther College. The seminary is Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, located in Mequon, Wisconsin.
Conservative Lutherans view the Bible as the only authoritative source for doctrine. They view and subscribe to the Lutheran Confessions as accurate presentations of what the Bible teaches. They believe, teach and confess that Jesus is the center of Scripture and the only way to eternal salvation. They believe, teach and confess that the Holy Spirit uses the gospel alone in Word and sacraments (baptism and Holy Communion) to bring people to faith in Jesus as Savior and keep them in that faith, strengthening them in their daily life of sanctification.
