Forward In Christ: The Maturing Synod Beyond Itself

Abstract

In this essay, Prof. John M. Brenner explores three pivotal developments in the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod’s (WELS) maturation: the founding of the Synodical Conference, the federation with the Michigan and Minnesota Synods, and the establishment of the Apache Mission. Brenner traces the synod’s growth in confessional clarity, its break with unionistic European mission societies, and its embrace of fellowship with like-minded American synods. He details the formation and challenges of the Joint Synod federation and the eventual merger into a unified church body. The essay also recounts the origins and perseverance of the Apache Mission, highlighting the dedication of missionaries and the mission’s impact on both the Apaches and the synod. Through doctrinal controversy, cultural adaptation, and mission outreach, Brenner illustrates how God guided WELS beyond its local beginnings into broader confessional and global engagement. —Abstract generated by Microsoft Copilot (GPT-4)