Wanderlust World Wanderlust World The Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) and the Church of England differ significantly in theology, governance, and practice:
| Feature | WELS | Church of England |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1850 (German immigrants) | 16th century (English Reformation) |
| Theology | Confessional Lutheran (conservative) | Broad Protestant (moderate, via media) |
| Authority | Scripture alone (sola scriptura) | Scripture, tradition, reason |
| Liturgy | Traditional, uniform | Varied (Book of Common Prayer, Common Worship) |
| Communion | Closed (baptized WELS members only) | Open (all baptized Christians welcome) |
| Clergy | Male pastors only | Men and women; bishops, priests, deacons |
| Governance | Synodical (representative) | Episcopal (archbishops, bishops, synods) |
| State link | None (free church) | Established church (monarch as Supreme Governor) |
WELS emphasizes doctrinal purity and separation; the Church of England prioritizes comprehensiveness and national presence.