The Conference of Presidents, chaired by the synod president, also includes 12 district presidents, the first and second synod vice presidents, and the non-voting synod recording secretary. The respective districts elect their district presidents every two years; the synod president, the vice presidents, and the secretary are elected by the synod convention to four-year terms.
The Conference of Presidents carries out several important functions. First, it is ultimately responsible for overseeing doctrine (what we believe and confess) and practice (how that doctrine is applied and carried out in our congregations). It oversees the process of the calling of pastors, teachers, and staff ministers by providing names for call lists and giving advice to congregations as they issue those calls. It also serves as the synod’s assignment committee, assigning teaching and staff ministry candidates from Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minnesota and pastor and vicar candidates from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wisconsin.
District presidents continue to serve as pastors in their own congregations. We believe that by keeping a district president active as a parish pastor, he continues to have a personal understanding of a congregation and its rapidly changing ministry. But because of the amount of travel they do, the number of meetings they attend, and the time they spend advising and counseling congregations, each district president is provided with a full-time pastor to assist him in his congregational and district duties.
Pictured from left to right: Jonathan Schroeder (South Atlantic), Paul Seager (South Central), Kevin Westra (Northern Wisconsin), Benjamin Tomczak (Dakota-Montana), Stephen Helwig (Nebraska)
This year something very unusual—maybe even unprecedented—has happened. Because of retirements and acceptance of other calls, five new district presidents have joined the Conference of Presidents. Benjamin Tomczak (Dakota-Montana), Stephen Helwig (Nebraska), Kevin Westra (Northern Wisconsin), Jonathan Schroeder (South Atlantic), and Paul Seager (South Central) have all begun their work as district presidents. Last week they completed their official orientation and training for their new positions, for such things as preparing call lists, helping congregations with advice and guidance, their role in the assignment process, etc. That training will continue as they experience the challenges and joys of serving as a district president.
We ask God’s blessings and great wisdom as they serve.
Serving together with you in Christ,
WELS President Mark Schroeder
Get to know the district presidents in this Forward in Christ article.
