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175 Years of Change | Joel Otto

Joel Otto

175 Years of Change in WELS Worship

The founders of the Wisconsin Synod were not confessional Lutherans, and their mixed confession showed in worship practices in the early decades of the synod’s history. While a pietistic influence has always been felt in worship attitudes in WELS, changes have occurred throughout the synod’s history. By examining church architecture and the use of hymnals in Wisconsin Synod congregations across 175 years since her founding, we will note the shift toward a more confessional Lutheran understanding of worship in WELS.

Bio | Joel Otto

Prof. Otto chairs the WELS 175th anniversary committee (2025). Since 2011, he has served at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, where he teaches church history and education and is the dean of students. Previously he served congregations in Michigan, California, and Wisconsin. He is also the chairman of the WELS Historical Institute and serves on the Commission on Inter-Church Relations. He has previously served on the Commission on Worship, the Commission on Lutheran Schools, the WELS Hymnal Project, and as a writer for Forward in Christ.

Luther’s Transformation | Joel Otto

Joel Otto

Luther’s Transformation of the Medieval Church

Luther’s Reformation has often been described as a “conservative Reformation” because he did not advocate a radical break with everything from the past. Nevertheless, his theological emphases resulted in a transformation of the way people experienced, lived, and learned the Christian faith. This was especially evident in public worship. We will explore the transformative changes Luther instituted through congregational hymn singing, law-gospel preaching, and changes to the liturgy.

Bio | Joel Otto

Prof. Otto chairs the WELS 175th anniversary committee (2025). Since 2011, he has served at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, where he teaches church history and education and is the dean of students. Previously he served congregations in Michigan, California, and Wisconsin. He is also the chairman of the WELS Historical Institute and serves on the Commission on Inter-Church Relations. He has previously served on the Commission on Worship, the Commission on Lutheran Schools, the WELS Hymnal Project, and as a writer for Forward in Christ.

Eight Enduring Lessons | Jacob Behnken

Jacob Behnken

Eight Enduring Lessons from the Achtliederbuch

In 1524, Martin Luther and fellow hymn writer Paul Speratus curated a collection of eight hymns and published the first Lutheran hymnal. To the chagrin of the Reformation’s enemies, the “Achtliederbuch” was a great success and helped to spread the gospel throughout Europe. As Lutherans continue to publish and cherish their hymnals, what lessons can we learn from the first Lutheran hymnal? This session will explore what the Achtliederbuch can still teach us five centuries later.

Bio | Jacob Behnken

Prof. Behnken graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in 2012 and serves as the dean of chapel and a professor of music at Martin Luther College. In addition to his training as a pastor, he is an accomplished organist, having done graduate study at Central Michigan University. He is a member of the Commission on Worship.

Windows into the Wedding Feast | Jon Micheel

Jon Micheel

Windows into the Wedding Feast: Philip Nicolai and “Wake, Awake”

“Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying” is one of the most beloved Lutheran hymns, often called the “king of chorales.” This workshop looks at the fascinating story behind the hymn and examines the rich imagery within the hymn’s text. Numerous cultural factors influenced Philip Nicolai, the hymn’s author, and we will see how the hymn opens windows into these worlds. We will also discover how Nicolai’s creative process suggests useful models for spiritual care today.

Bio | Jon Micheel

Prof. Micheel teaches preaching and church history at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, where he has served since 2020. Previously he served congregations in California and Utah. He is one of the moderators for the Preacher Podcast, produced in conjunction with The Foundation worship resources from WELS Congregational Services. He was the chairman of the rites (liturgy) committee for the WELS Hymnal Project and contributed chapters to Christian Worship: Foundations. He is currently a doctoral candidate at Concordia Seminary (St. Louis) in homiletics.

Michael Praetorius | Nathaniel Biebert

Nathaniel Biebert

Michael Praetorius and a Flowering of Lutheran Worship

A century before Bach (1685–1750), Michael Praetorius (1571–1621), son of a Lutheran pastor, was a singular and pioneering musical force in the Lutheran world. This presentation provides an overview of his life, work, and influence. In doing so, it will also show how principles and strategies evident in Praetorius’ work can still inform our choices today—resulting in a creative and vibrant worship that is distinctively Lutheran.

Bio | Nathaniel Biebert

After serving as a tutor in Nebraska and ministering to congregations in central Wisconsin and Austin, Texas, Nathaniel Biebert now shepherds Trinity in Winner, S.D. He has visited Praetorius sites in Germany, including Wolfenbüttel, and his translation Heaven Is My Fatherland (Wipf and Stock, 2020) is the first stand-alone biography of Praetorius in English.

The Passion for God’s People | Mark Tiefel

Mark Tiefel

The Passion for God’s People

In 2024, Lutherans observe the 300th anniversary of Bach’s St. John’s Passion, both a musical masterpiece and a remarkable example of creative worship. Throughout the three centuries that followed its publication, preachers and worship planners have sought creative ways to bring Jesus’ death to life in their celebrations of Lent and Holy Week. This session will draw on historical perspectives and offer practical ideas to help people get to the heart of Jesus’ passion.

Bio | Mark Tiefel

Pastor Tiefel serves at Emanuel, New London, Wis., and is worship coordinator of the WELS Northern Wisconsin District. He previously served in Houston, Texas, and as worship coordinator of the WELS South Central District. He was a member of the hymnal committee and has contributed to past worship conferences in service design and presentations on the practical history of worship.