WELS Ministry of Christian Giving has completed the WELS 2009 Statistical Report. The statistical report provides membership, ministry, education, and offerings data on all of WELS' 1,279 congregations. Also included are reports on institutional ministry, called worker ordinations and installations, and World Missions statistics.

"This report is important in that it allows us the opportunity to assess the situation in our church body—what is taking place as a result of the administration of God's Word and sacraments—and see the impact God is making through us in his world," says Rev. Dave Liggett, director of the Ministry of Christian Giving.

Rev. Mark Schroeder, WELS president, notes, "The ten-year decline in membership continued, but the decline was very slight—from 390,213 members in 2008 to 389,545 members in 2009."

Other key statistics:

  • Baptized membership declined by 668—from 390,213 to 389,545.
  • Communicant membership declined by 476—from 309,116 to 308,640.
  • Adult baptisms increased from 673 to 681.
  • Infant baptisms decreased from 6,673 to 6,633.
  • Adult confirmations increased from 3,614 to 3,858.
  • Adults received into membership by profession of faith increased from 2,207 to 2,255.
  • WELS children enrolled in Lutheran elementary schools increased from 19,032 to 20,393.
  • Children enrolled in WELS early childhood programs increased from 3,471 to 3,660.

Schroeder says, "Perhaps the most interesting thing to note is that over the past ten years, nearly all statistical categories have remained virtually unchanged, with one very clear exception. Infant baptisms have declined significantly from a decade ago, reflecting the fact that WELS families are having fewer children. This alone seems to account for our overall drop in total membership, as well as declining enrollment in some elementary and high school programs."

To view other statistical information, called workers and church leaders can access the WELS 2009 Statistical Report online at Connect, WELS' Intranet. Note: a username and password are required. Hard copies of the report are available from Northwestern Publishing House for $20. You can order online or call 800-662-6022.