The Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) is a North American Confessional Lutheran denomination of Christianity. Characterized as theologically conservative, it was founded in 1850 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As of 2006, it had a baptized membership of over 395,000 in more than 1,200 congregations in all 50 U.S. states and 4 provinces of Canada. It is the third largest Lutheran denomination in the United States, following Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS).
WELS and ELS are independent Lutheran denominations and are not part of the ELCA, which is structured to have "synods" within the denomination. Thus, the term "synod" as used by the ELCA refers to middle level administrative districts in different regions of the United States (example: Illinois Synod of the ELCA), whereas in the case of WELS and ELS, "synod" refers to the entire church body.
The 1868 convention witnessed a meaningful discussion on the topic of pulpit and altar fellowship, one of the Four Points in American Lutheranism. Although there were several dissenting opinions, most of the pastors and lay delegates realized that they could not in good conscience exchange pastors with non-Lutherans or invite them to commune at their altar. They felt that the position the General Council took on this subject was inadequate. They resolved that, unless it changed course, they would withdraw from the General Council.
Following the 1868 convention, representatives of the Wisconsin and Missouri Synods held a meeting in Milwaukee during October 21-22, 1868. They discussed various points of doctrine, writing an agreement recognizing the Missouri and Wisconsin synods as orthodox Lutheran church bodies and that they have pulpit and altar fellowship together. The agreement noted that in the event a doctrinal error arose in one of the two synods, they would not question each other's orthodoxy as long as they both used all Christian means at their disposal to resolve the problem. This agreement was later adopted by each of the synods in convention.
In 1878, the Wisconsin Synod withdrew its demand that the state synods had to be independent of the Missouri or Ohio Synods. The Missouri Synod needed to build a new seminary, since location at its current campus was strained. Although there was considerable plans to build a new joint Synodical Conference seminary outside of Chicago, because of the hesitance of the Wisconsin Synod on this subject and the inability of any of the other members besides Missouri to contribute financially to the new project, it was tabled, and ultimately never happened.
In 1893, two Wisconsin Synod missionaries began work in Arizona at Peridot and Old San Carlos among the Apache people. Congregations were soon established. Currently there are eight Wisconsin Synod congregations on the reservation.
The following is a list of Presidents of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod from 1850 to the present.
Beneath the president are numerous administrative divisions addressing various areas of ministry. Among these are ministerial education, world missions, home missions, parish services, and fiscal services.
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