Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod

Wisconsin: because it was founded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1850. The synod is currently active in all 50 states and 20 world mission fields.
Evangelical: because it is dedicated to spreading the good news of salvation by grace alone through faith alone. (Evangelical comes from the Greek word for 'good news.')
Lutheran: because it reflects the freeing message rediscovered by Martin Luther in the reformation of the Christian church in the 1500s.
Synod: because this Greek word means 'walking together' and WELS is a fellowship of over 1200 congreations working together to train pastors, build home and world missions, and guard the pure teachings of God's Word.

WELS, characterized as theologically conservative, is the third largest Lutheran church body in America. With national offices today at 2929 N. Mayfair Rd., Milwaukee, Wis., WELS began in 1850 when three German pastors met in Milwaukee. Today, it has grown to over 1,200 congregations in North America. It has over 400,000 baptized members, which includes over 300,000 communicants, served by over 1,000 pastors.

The synod operates four ministerial education schools: Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wis.; Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minn.; Luther Preparatory School, Watertown, Wis.; and Michigan Lutheran Seminary, Saginaw, Mich.

*Excerpt*

Nearly 500 years ago, the Christian church was corrupted by many false teachings. A man named Martin Luther led people back to the teachings of the Bible. His work, and that of his friends, is called the Reformation. Through Luther God restored the church to purity of doctrine and a new life of faith in Christ.

The doctrines of the Lutheran Church are not new. They are the teachings of the Bible. Thus the Lutheran Church is not a new church. It is not a sect or cult.

It is a church whose teaching is based on the words written by the prophets of the Old Testament and the apostles of the New Testament. The Bible tells us about Jesus Christ.

The teachings of the Lutheran Church are those of the original, ancient church of the apostles and early Christians.

Topical Index of Beliefs: What the Bible and Lutherans Teach written by Harold A. Essmann

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