The Minneapolis Area Synod is governed by an annual Synod Assembly. According to our constitution, ministers on the roster and lay voting members from each congregation elect a Synod Council and Bishop to provide oversight and leadership between Synod Assemblies. Day-to-day work is carried out by the synod staff and various synod committees, including the deans of each conference.

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Synod Council

The Synod Council serves as the synod’s board of directors and interim legislative authority. The Synod Council consists of the Bishop, three elected officers, two youth members, and 9-11 members elected at-large. The Bishop serves as the chief executive officer and the Synod Vice President serves as chair of the Synod Council. The Synod Council meets 5 times per year.

  • Felecia Boone
  • Mary Britt (WELCA)
  • Ross Eichelberger
  • Rev. Erik Haaland
  • Osa Hanneman
  • Rev. Eric Hoffer
  • Bishop Jen Nagel
  • Tim Nelson
  • Rev. SiriAnna Strommen
  • Rev. Jacqueline Thone
  • Daykell Navarro
  • Emma Jorstad
  • Rev. Laura Laughlin
  • Michon True-Smith
  • Andrew Peterson
  • Lizete Vega

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee is made up of the three synod council officers, three at-large members, and the bishop of the synod. The committee meets monthly, in addition to Synod Council meetings.

Bishop Jen Nagel
Felecia Boone, Vice President
vice.president@mpls-synod.org
Ross Eichelberger, Treasurer
synodtreasurer@mpls-synod.org
Rev. Erik Haaland, Secretary
synodsecretary@mpls-synod.org
Rev. Eric Hoffer
Andrew Peterson
Rev. Siri Strommen

Deans

Conference Deans stay in regular contact with rostered ministers within the conference; they also meet with the synod bishop bi-monthly. Deans are elected by the Conference Assembly for a three-year term.

Interim Dean: Rev. Joseph Schattauer Paille
Community of the Cross Lutheran Church, Bloomington

Dean: Rev. Rhonda Hlavinka (Chair)
Salem English Lutheran Church, Minneapolis

Dean: Rev. Micah Pearson
Woodlake Lutheran, Richfield

Dean: Rev. Ian Coen-Frei
Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church, Minneapolis

Dean: Rev. Susan Olson
Long Lake Lutheran, Isanti

Dean: Rev. Ashley Osborn
Valley of Peace Lutheran, Golden Valley

Dean: Rev. Joanna Mitchell
Grace Lutheran Church, Andover

Dean: Rev. Sara Jensen
Lutheran Church of Christ the Redeemer, Minneapolis

Dean: Rev. Katie Jorgenson
Faith Lutheran Church, Waconia

Dean: Rev. Lydia Svenulski
Gethsemane Lutheran, Hopkins

Dean: Rev. Trevor Skorburg
Zion Lutheran Church, Buffalo

Dean: Rev. Sheryl Bousu
Lyndale Lutheran Church, Maple Plain

Dean: Rev. Chris Beckman
Ebenezer Society, Minneapolis

Other Committees

There are several other committees whose members are elected at Conference Assemblies or Synod Assembly, or by the Synod Council. The full descriptions of each of these committee roles can be found in the Minneapolis Area Synod constitution.

The Discipline Committees convenes on an as-needed basis, when the synodical bishop and the Executive Committee of the Synod Council receives expressions of concern from rostered ministers of this church, congregations, and organizations within this synod that cannot be resolved only by the Synod Staff and Council, and a hearing is needed. 

The Committee on Discipline of this synod consists of twelve persons (six ministers of Word and Sacrament and six laypersons), who are elected by the Synod Assembly for a term of six years without consecutive reelection.

When there is disagreement among factions within a congregation on a substantive issue that cannot be resolved by the parties, members of a congregation shall have access to the synodical bishop for consultation after informing the chair of the Congregation Council of their intent. If the consultation fails to resolve the issue(s), the Consultation Committee of this synod shall consider the matter.

The Consultation Committee of this synod shall consist of at least six persons and not more than 12 persons, of whom half shall be ministers of Word and Sacrament and half shall be laypersons, who shall each be elected by the Synod Assembly for a term of six years without consecutive reelection. 

Members of the Nominating Committee are responsible for nominations for elections that will take place at the annual Synod Assembly, and for connecting with conference deans to collect names of potential nominees from within individual conferences.

The Nominating Committee consists of 10 – 15 members, who are elected by their conference at Conference Assemblies. Nominating Committee members shall serve two-year terms and are eligible for re-election to a second term. 

The synod audit committee shall be responsible for assisting the synod council in fulfilling its general oversight of the synod’s accounting, financial reporting and internal control systems.

Synod management is responsible for preparing financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), maintaining a system of internal controls and complying with appropriate laws and regulations. The independent auditor is responsible for performing an independent audit as a basis for providing an opinion that the synod’s financial statements are fairly presented in accordance with GAAP. The synod audit committee is responsible for reviewing significant accounting and reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation of the financial statements, including analyses of the effects of alternative GAAP methods on the financial statements.

The synod audit committee shall consist of 3 to 6 persons, independent of the synod’s management staff, who shall be elected by the synod council for a term of three years, with potential for one consecutive election to another three year term. The terms of the committee members shall be staggered.

The purpose of the Reference and Counsel Committee (RCC) of the Minneapolis Area Synod is to facilitate the mission of the Synod and the greater church by organizing the actions of the Synod meeting in Assembly.

The Committee, consisting of not fewer than six members, nor greater than eight members, will be appointed annually by the Minneapolis Area Synod Council (MAS Council). The MAS Council sometimes appoints one of its members to serve on the RCC in order to foster full and complete communication and coordination prior to the Assembly.

The RCC will prepare Guidelines for Resolutions and Memorials, and proposed Rules of Procedure for the purpose of encouraging and promoting effective preparation, consideration, and action concerning all resolutions and memorials properly brought to the Minneapolis Area Synod meeting in Assembly.

Constitutions

Each expression of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is governed by a unique constitution: Churchwide, Synod, and Congregation. These documents reflect the theology and polity of the church as it organizes itself to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, share the sacraments, reach out to the neighbor with good news and share the love of God in the world. To get resources on helping your congregation with your constitution, visit the Administrative Resources for Congregations page.

MAS Constitution
ELCA Constitution

Reach Out

If you have questions about anything related to Synod governance, contact Liz Farmer.

Liz Farmer

Assistant to the Bishop for Administration