Click on
each question to link to its answer.
1. How did Issues In WELS get started?
2. What is the purpose of IIW?
3. What does IIW do?
4. How is IIW organized?
5. Who can be involved in IIW?
6. How does a person get in involved in IIW?
7. Where and when does IIW meet?
8. I can't attend the Forums. How can I support IIW?
9. Is IIW divisive?
10. Is IIW trying to replace conferences, circuits and conventions?
11. Isn't IIW intruding on the responsibilities of the COP?
12. Does IIW demonstrate a spirit that is proper for WELS members?
1. How did Issues In WELS get started?
The idea began in
casual conversations among a trio of veteran pastors in Wisconsin.
In their informal contacts, they shared their own thoughts and
concerns about things they observed in the WELS. As the matters
they discussed became more serious and they sought to communicate
their concerns through the normal channels, they repeated encountered
the response that their concerns were not wide-spread or commonly
held. An informal effort to determine whether, in fact, they were
only a fringe minority led those men to discover that there were
many others -- called workers and lay people -- across the synod
who shared their concerns and sought means to discuss and address
the issues jointly. Issues in WELS
(IIW) was started as an effort to fill that need.
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2. What
is the purpose of IIW?
The purpose of IIW,
as is stated on the IIW web site, is this: In the fear of God,
out of love for fellow blood-bought souls, and with reverence
for the Gospel in Word and Sacraments, Issues in WELS
will pursue its general purpose as it seeks, within
the synod:
- To IDENTIFY issues
of concern regarding Scriptural teaching and its application
that merit study and discussion. (Isaiah 62:6; 2 Tm 4:1-2; 2
Tm 4:16).
- To INFORM others
in the synod of these issues, taking appropriate note of such
public incidents as may illustrate the causes for concern, and
offering related background information and resources. (Matt.
18:15-18; 1 Tm 5:20).
- To INITIATE public
discussion of these issues in a forum that is theological in
character, and that is open to all in the synod.
- To offer INPUT
and support in proper and timely ways to those who, by virtue
of their calls and/or offices, are entrusted with supervision
of doctrine and practice in the synod. (Exodus 17:8-16)
As we proceed in these
and all matters, we will be guided and governed: (1) By the teachings
of God's holy, inspired and inerrant Word. (2) By the accepted
symbols of the Evangelical Lutheran Church and other WELS doctrinal
statements. (3) By the law of Christian love that behooves us
to treat every person with respect, to approach every issue with
charity, and to make every effort always to speak the truth in
love. (Ephesians 4:7ff) (4) By the pre-eminent intent and desire
to do all these things in such a way that we might "show
forth the praises of him who has called us out of darkness into
his wonderful light. "
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3. What does
IIW do?
IIW seeks to identify
issues and trends in our Wisconsin Synod that have importance
relating to Scripture's teachings and their application. IIW then
commissions thoughtful, in-depths studies of these issues that
form the basis for the discussion that takes place at IIW conferences.
As appropriate, IIW also seeks to provide access to useful background
information relating to issues under discussion, as well as to
official synodical expressions of position and policy that have
a bearing on the issues.
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4. How is IIW
organized?
IIW is not formally
organized or incorporated. There is no "group membership"
or direct affiliation by participants. It is not an official body
of the WELS or of any WELS congregation. Participants in past
conferences have chosen a steering committee to plan and organize
IIW conferences. Members of the steering committee, with email
links to each, are listed on the IIW web site. Participants also
selected Pastor em. Gerald Free to serve as the moderator for
IIW conferences, and as an official spokesperson of IIW for occasions
when such a person may be required.
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5. Who can
be involved in IIW?
Studies generated
by IIW, as well as information about past and future conferences
and related items, is accessible to any interested person via
the IIW web site. Attendance at IIW conferences is open to any
interested persons, recognizing that the conferences are designed
to be theological in character and content.
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6. How can
a person get involved in IIW?
Personal attendance
at IIW conferences, held 2-3 times per year, is the most direct
way to become involved. Information about up-coming gatherings
is regularly posted on the IIW web site ( www.issuesinwels.org
). As explained in IIW's purpose statement, conferences intentionally
have a theological tone but are open to all interested attendees.
Another way to keep
in contact and up-to-date on IIW efforts is by visiting the IIW
web site. On that site are posted all past presentations from
IIW conferences, minutes of those gatherings, information about
up-coming conferences, and other items of interest.
As you may be led
to do so, your support for the efforts of IIW is always welcome.
Offer up your prayers that God would guide and bless IIW's efforts
to be of positive service in the WELS. Express your own thoughts
and concerns and ask questions via the IIW web site. Submit or
recommend materials for posting on the IIW site.
Above all, keep aware
of what is happening in your congregation and your synod. Support
our synod's work, especially in those areas of key importance
-- ministerial education and mission outreach. And stay active
in God's Word and sacraments, that his grace may continue to build
you up and make you a blessing to others.
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7. Where and
when does IIW meet?
Both the time and
location of IIW conferences varies from gathering to gathering.
A conference schedule is usually set one year in advance. Information
about the location and date of up-coming conferences is available
on the IIW web site.
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8. I can't
attend the meetings. How can I support IIW?
Cf. Question #4. Comments,
questions, suggestions, etc. may be addressed to IIW and/or to
individual steering committee members using the links available
on the home page of the IIW web site (www.issuesinwels.org).
Steering Committee members can offer suggestions of various
ways people can support the efforts of IIW.
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9. Is IIW divisive?
IIW conferences are
open to all WELS people. Differing points of view and open discussion
of issues are not only welcomed, they are a key purpose for IIW's
existence. Our ultimate goal, of course, wherever it is possible,
is to make all differing points of view captive to the Word of
God. God's Word and the Holy Spirit who works through it are the
only ways to create and sustain true unity in the church.
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10. Is IIW
trying to replace circuits, conferences and conventions?
The last thing IIW
wants to do is replace or compete with our synod's long-established
mechanisms for doing the work of the church. Rather, the hope
is that IIW conferences will serve to fuel discussions at and
support the work of circuits, conferences and district gatherings.
IIW seeks to do this by focusing attention on key issues, and
by providing information that might not otherwise be consistently
available to all circuits and conferences of the synod.
Circuits, conferences
and district gatherings serve invaluable functions, but all inevitably
have a localized focus and a perspective. This can limit discussion
at such gatherings to those interests and priorities that seem
most pressing to local members.
IIW, as a conference
open to attendees from across the synod (past gatherings have
had attendees from at least 4-5 different districts and many different
conferences) is better able to apply a wider focus to issues of
synodical importance, as well as to cross-pollinate ideas through
the sharing of a broader spectrum of thoughts and experiences.
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11. Isn't IIW
intruding on the responsibilities of the COP?
The Constitution
and Bylaws of the WELS give the Conference of Presidents
responsibility for oversight of doctrine and practice
in the synod. This does not mean that the COP alone has the right
to discuss matters of doctrine or practice. They, rather, are
to monitor these things on a synodical level and take appropriate
action on behalf of the synod, when warranted. IIW recognizes
and respects the role of the COP, and hopes to provide useful
service in the process by focusing attention on specific issues
that may warrant concern. However, IIW does not attempt to speak
for the synod or to act on the synod's behalf. IIW is in all ways
subordinate to the COP and in no way wishes to usurp its rightful
constitutional responsibilities.
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12. Does IIW
demonstrate a spirit that is proper for WELS members?
IIW seeks to encourage
open discussion of issues of common interest and concern to members
of the WELS. It exists as an exercise of the blessed fellowship
in Christ Jesus that we enjoy in our synod. It is firmly grounded
on Holy Scripture and seeks to conduct every discussion clearly
and on the basis of God's Word. IIW participants are committed
to being of service to the synod in what they do together,
and to conduct all IIW affairs openly, honestly, and lovingly.
While speaking the truth in love, IIW also seeks to speak at all
times in a respectful and brotherly manner that is in keeping
with Scripture's exhortation to "love one another out of
reverence for Christ." Such a spirit is not only appropriate,
but essential for those who wish to walk together as one in the
WELS.
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