The last 12 months have been difficult and challenging for our synod. Facing a 20 percent reduction in the synod's budget for mission and ministry, painful decisions were made to recall eight world missionaries, to reduce support for existing mission congregations, and to reduce the size of faculties at synodical schools. It's not surprising that the memory of those decisions is still fresh in our minds.

The natural question is: What do we do now? Where do we, as a synod, go from here? First, we will want to thank God that our Congregation Mission Offerings in 2009 were 99 percent of what congregations had committed. This is remarkable, given the state of the economy and the financial challenges faced by congregations. In addition, nearly $1 million was received from congregations and synodical ministries as a result of the one-month VEBA premium holiday in November.

As difficult as the last year has been, it's our joy as a synod to look ahead to the work that God is still calling us to do. I'm happy to report that the areas of ministry are not content to sit still or to settle for the status quo. God continues to place before us amazing opportunities to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. For example, the Board for Home Missions (BHM) has identified several dozen locations as places where WELS can and should plant new mission congregations. (One example is featured in this month's WELS Connection.) The BHM has also received requests from existing mission congregations to provide additional manpower to work in fields that are ripe for the harvest. The Board for World Missions (BWM) has identified areas of the world in which the opportunities for mission work are almost limitless. Requests from these places are reminiscent of the words of the man from Macedonia in Paul's vision: "Come over to us and help us!" Some of these opportunities are in countries already served by WELS missionaries, and some are in countries in which we do not yet have a presence. The BWM is also developing new strategies to bring the gospel to places where WELS missionaries are not allowed to go. Some of that work, particularly in countries like Nepal and Pakistan, is being richly blessed already.

Our ministerial education schools are also not standing still. Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary will be playing an important role in developing the new program for continuing education for pastors. The seminary is also partnering with our mission leaders to find new ways for seminary students and graduates to develop skills and gain experience in mission settings and in cross-cultural mission work. Martin Luther College (MLC) continues to look for ways to improve its educational programs to serve the needs of the synod. MLC remains focused on its single task of providing college-level training to young people who will serve the full-time teaching and pastoral ministry. That single purpose will be highlighted in April as MLC dedicates its new chapel.

The Congregation and Ministry Support Group (CMSG—formerly Parish Services) continues to make the adjustment to its new structure. Spiritual health of congregations is vitally important if the synod is to carry out its mission. That health can be maintained and improved only by the power of the gospel working through the means of grace. The focus of the CMSG commissions, therefore, will be to work with the district presidents and circuit pastors to provide training and counsel to congregational leaders as they carry out their work in local congregations. It should also be noted that a committee appointed by the Conference of Presidents is developing recommendations for a commission to replace the Parish Assistance program.

To provide a clear roadmap for our efforts in the next eight years, the Synodical Council is developing a long-range comprehensive plan. This plan will describe in broad terms where our synod will be, under God, by 2017. This plan will be presented in preliminary form to the districts this summer. Once the plan is adopted, areas of ministry will develop the strategies to carry out the work.

Serving in Christ,
Mark Schroeder