| dc.description.abstract | Matt Westra’s A Statistical Report and Analysis of New Church Growth in the WELS (2010) examines fifty years of mission expansion within the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (1960–2009). During this period, WELS grew from 827 congregations with 346,790 baptized members in 16 states to 1,279 congregations with 389,545 members in 48 states. Of these, 524 congregations—41% of the total—were organized after 1960, accounting for 25.7% of current membership (approximately 98,602 souls). Westra highlights that without these new starts, synod membership would have declined by over 55,000, underscoring the necessity of ongoing mission work. The report analyzes average membership growth by decade, closure rates (11% of new churches), and demographic shifts, concluding that to maintain current membership levels, WELS should open at least five new congregations annually, assuming modest growth and attrition rates. The study emphasizes reliance on God’s Word and Sacraments for success and frames strategic planning for future outreach as an act of faithful stewardship.
Abstract prepared by Microsoft Copilot (GPT‑4). | |
