~ The Arizona~California District of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod  ~
~ Serving the states of Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, and West Texas ~

WELS Structure in a nutshell...

The Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod  is made up of 12 DISTRICTS which include all member congregations worldwide.  It is overseen by the Synodical Council which is made up of elected laymen and called workers who represent all areas of ministry within the synod.  In convention, the WELS elects four men who make up the presidium.  In addition, the 12 district presidents make up the Conference of Presidents.  The Presidium and the Conference of Presidents are responsible for the oversight of doctrine and practice within the synod.  The synod has five key areas of focus.  They are:

• Parish Services  
  • (Parish Assistance, Parish Services, Evangelism, Worship, Youth Discipleship, Adult Discipleship, Parish Schools, Special Ministries)
• Ministerial Education
  • (WELS operated prep schools, college and seminary for the training of pastors and teachers)
• Home Missions
  • (All mission congregations started and supported by the WELS within the U.S.)
• World Missions
  • (All world missions started and supported by the WELS outside the U.S.)

• Administrative Services  
  • (CCFS, Communications, Inter-church relations, Constitutional matters, Nominations, Appeals, Committee on Relief, Board of Support, VEBA, Pensions, CEF, WELS Investments and the WELS Foundation)

The structure of each of the twelve districts is similar to that of  the WELS, but on a much smaller scale.  It provides for grass-roots involvement and participation by every congregation within the WELS.  Decisions and recommendations by each district at its respective convention (on even numbered years) are taken by elected district representatives to the WELS convention (on odd numbered years) for consideration and action by the whole church.

Following is a breakdown of each district's structure.  All districts are structured similarly.  

District Structure in a nutshell...

The Arizona~California DISTRICT is made up of

• All WELS congregations within the states of
  • Arizona
  • California
  • Hawaii
  • Nevada
  • New Mexico
  • El Paso, Texas
• The work of the district is overseen by the District Presidium and the District Council which is made up of elected laymen and called workers from each branch of ministry within the district.

The DISTRICT is divided into five CONFERENCES

• Northern California
• Southern California
• Black Canyon
• Gadsden
• Apache

Each CONFERENCE is divided into CIRCUITS

• Northern California
  • Golden Gate Circuit
  • Sierra Circuit
• Southern California
  • Mountain View Circuit
  • Los Angeles Circuit
  • San Diego Circuit
  • Las Vegas Circuit
• Black Canyon
  • Grand Canyon Circuit
  • Metro East Circuit
  • Metro West Circuit
  • Superstition Mtn Circuit
• Gadsden
  • Saguaro Circuit
  • Rio Grande Circuit
  • Chiricahua Circuit
• Apache
  • Apache Circuit

Each CIRCUIT is made up of individual CONGREGATIONS

Click HERE for information on each conference and circuit.  

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to visit the web site.

Last modified: April 08, 2008
copyright © 2005 The WELS Arizona~California District