Strangers to Sisters - Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary Library: Essays

Conclusion
There is, of course, more that could be discussed concerning the WELS/ELS
relations. One could examine the minutes of the Synodical Conference conventions,
during these years. One could talk about the ELS suspension of fellowship with the
LCMS in 1955 while still continuing in fellowship with the WELS. One could examine
the periodicals and essays of this period to an even greater extent.
There is, in addition, much to write about the relations of the WELS/ELS since
1955. One could examine the “Meq-Beth” program, where all the second-career pastors
for the WELS received their undergraduate training at Bethany for almost 30 years. There
is the Confessional Forum, the formation of the Church of the Lutheran Confession, as
well as the formation of the Conference of Evangelical Lutheran Churches. There are the
theological disputes such as the moment of presence debate of the late 70s and early 80s,
the church and ministry debate that is currently raging within the ELS and the more
recent debate over the role of women in the public ministry that is just now beginning to
heat up.
But this thesis concludes here for the following reasons. First, there is much more
written history about WELS/ELS relations the closer and closer one gets chronologically
to the dissolution of the Synodical Conference. Second, to discuss the issues that have
affected the WELS/ELS fellowship since 1955 would involve not a thesis, but a multivolume
work in order to adequately state and analyze the issues. Finally, the current
debates that are raging within the WELS and the ELS are still too raw to give proper
historical analysis. To even attempt to provide such analysis at this time might
inadvertently cause additional harm and dissention in the ranks of our blessed fellowship.
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