WELS is in fellowship with the Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS) and is a member of the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference (CELC), a worldwide organization of Lutheran church bodies. The WELS is its own independent denomination and is not to be confused with the synods of the ELCA. The term "synod" used by the ELCA refers to administrative districts in different regions of the United States. (example: Illinois Synod of the ELCA)