Pastor’s Perch
Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Peace is an unstable concept. Peace can last a moment or a long time, but it is almost guaranteed to end with a fight! History has proven this true. Most if not
all, people dream of a world where peace continues undisrupted and remains forever. People have given it a try, but unfortunately, it fails.
Our human concept of peace in this world does not last because the people who drive this peace are sinful and only think of themselves. Once the peace is
no longer toward their benefit, it is broken. Since this kind of peace is the only peace we can experience here and now, we tend to think of peace with God in the same way. We try to do our best to make peace with God through all different kind of ways. We try to be nicer to others. We try to give more offerings, thinking it will make God happy toward us. We even tell God we will make up for our mistakes. But the reality is not a pretty picture. No matter what we do, we cannot make peace with God. It is impossible. And our failure to make peace with God only lead to an eternity of his wrath.
But God is not like us! He does not make peace dependent on us. He chose to make peace with us through Jesus Christ. That makes all the difference. God
has declared us not guilty of sin and not guilty of breaking peace with him. Jesus took the war to the cross and was stricken and smitten by his own Holy
Father for us. Through Jesus we have a peace like no other peace. A peace with our God that we can be confident in. It cannot be broken because the peace
treaty between sinners and God was written in Jesus’ holy and innocent blood. This makes our peace with God last forever. It is the reason why we can be
absolutely sure we are bound for Heaven. As we continue to hear our Lord’s passion during Lent, remember the peace that comes to us through him.
Dear God and Father, thank you for making peace with you possible and certain through the work of your Son. Let us remain confident in the
declaration of “Not guilty”, we have through Jesus and his death on the cross. Keep our hearts at peace with you now and forever! In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen!
A servant of Christ,
Rev. Patrick Feldhus
Grace’s News
We are offering a Family bible study on familiar Sunday school stories, after worship on Sundays.
Our online bible class will continue Tuesday nights at 7:30 pm. We will focus our bible study on the topic of Jesus’ victories over enemies.
Our District Workshop is on March 14th at St. Croix Academy.
The Women of Grace will meet March 18th 10:30 am.
On March 19th at 6:30 pm, we will have our quarterly hymn sing-along at Cura Care Center.
Lent worship at 7 pm continues on Wednesday nights in March. We will again be switching pulpits with the pastors of our circuit during Lent.
Synod News
WELS chaplains gather for annual meeting Thirty-seven people attended the annual meeting of the Association of WELS Chaplains on Feb. 6 at the WELS Center for Mission and Ministry in Waukesha, Wis. The purpose was for those who have gone through the WELS Chaplain Certificate Program or are currently going through the program to grow and learn from one another.
The Chaplain Certificate Program is designed to equip called workers and lay members (both male and female) to bring the gospel to places outside the church, such as healthcare facilities, correctional institutions, military installations, and public safety agencies. Online courses offered through Martin Luther College apply biblical truths to issues encountered by chaplains. The work of WELS chaplains was recently highlighted in both WELS Connection and Forward in Christ.
Reflections on the latest WELS National Conference on Lutheran Leadership
The WELS National Conference on Lutheran Leadership, one of the largest
gatherings of WELS and Evangelical Lutheran Synod members, was held Jan.
19–21 in Chicago. The event was a huge success, with attendees offering many
positive comments. Jonathan Hein, coordinator of WELS Congregational
Services, provides the following reflections on the conference:
The 2026 leadership conference centered on the theme of WELS’ recently
adopted long-range plan, “Christ through us.” The aim was to draw people
back to the heart of Christian leadership: not what we accomplish through
Christ, but what Christ continues to do through his people. Some highlights
included the following:
∙Four keynotes touched on major cultural needs for ministry efforts:
courage, character, critical thinking, curiosity, and better collaboration
between all God’s people—men and women. (About a third of attendees
were women.) One congregation president said, “The final day’s emphasis
on critical thinking—paired with a serious call to better recognize the ideas
and gifts of women—will force us to ask different questions about whether
our structure really encourages the full body of Christ to serve together.”
∙Sixty-nine breakouts allowed participants to examine “best
practices”—tactical approaches to ministry around WELS that the Lord
seems to be blessing. Breakouts on leadership development were
especially popular. One lay leader shared, “What struck me was how many
breakouts focused on growing as leaders, not growing numbers. The
emphasis on character and collaboration was refreshing and deeply
needed.” Also popular were breakouts on revitalizing congregations and
schools. A pastor noted, “After a tough few years in ministry, this was
encouraging in the best sense. Seeing what the Lord is blessing elsewhere
didn’t make me feel behind. It reminded me that he’s still building his
church, and that faithful work—even in small places—matters.”
∙One in ten attendees was under the age of 24. This was an intentional
effort, not just to equip the next generation of leaders but also to hear
their insights on how to better reach and disciple people their age. One
high school–aged attendee wrote, “It was encouraging to know that our
perspectives mattered. It felt like my church was inviting us to help shape
ministry now.”
∙Worship was inspiring and encouraging, grounding everything else in the
forgiveness and peace Christ provides. Music was led by 20 students from
Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wis. The three preachers
represented different aspects of leadership: in the parish, in the synod,
and in training future workers. Twenty area pastors helped with
distribution of the Lord’s Supper to the 1,600 WELS attendees.
Rather than minimizing current challenges in congregational life, the
conference addressed them openly. Declining participation in some contexts,
leadership fatigue, and cultural change were named honestly—yet always in
light of Christ’s ongoing faithfulness to his church. One leader shared, “I
appreciated the honesty. No one pretended ministry is easy right now. But the
focus kept coming back to Christ’s promises instead of our anxiety. That kind of
clarity gives you courage to keep serving.”
With that confidence, leaders returned to their congregations, schools, and
ministries reminded that the future of the church does not rest on perfect
plans or flawless leadership but on a faithful Savior who continues to work
through his people.
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Thanks to Rev. Hein for his summary and to all who planned, presented, and attended this conference.
Serving with you in Christ,
WELS President Mark Schroeder