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.

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
  • Rev. Nancy Carlson
  • Cheryl Chatman
  • Ross Eichelberger
  • Alejandra Fernandes
  • Rev. Erik Haaland
  • Osa Hanneman
  • Rev. Eric Hoffer
  • Rev. Bruce Kuenzel
  • Barret Lane
  • Bishop Jen Nagel
  • Tim Nelson
  • Rev. SiriAnna Strommen
  • Rev. Jacqueline Thone
  • Karina Vincent
  • Marie Wiegert

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
Ms. Felecia Boone, Vice President
vice.president@mpls-synod.org
Mr. Ross Eichelberger, Treasurer
synodtreasurer@mpls-synod.org
Rev. Erik Haaland, Secretary
synodsecretary@mpls-synod.org
Rev. Eric Hoffer
Rev. Bruce Kuenzel
Mr. Barret Lane

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.

Bloomington Conference

Dean: Rev. Joe Orner
Peace Lutheran Church, Bloomington

Central Conference

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

Crosstown Conference

Dean: Rev. Micah Pearson
Woodlake Lutheran, Richfield

North Minneapolis Conference

Dean: Rev. Michelene Verlautz
St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church, Columbia Heights

Northern Conference

Dean: Rev. Susan Olson
Long Lake Lutheran, Isanti

Northwest Hennepin Conference

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

Rum River Conference

Dean: Rev. Matt Flom
St. Philip’s Lutheran Church, Fridley

South Minneapolis Conference

Dean: Rev. Kristine Tostengard Michel
Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Minneapolis

Southwest Conference

Dean: Rev. Adam Teske
West Union Lutheran Church, Cologne

Western Parks and Lakes Conference

Dean: Rev. Lydia Svenulski 
Gethsemane Lutheran, Hopkins

Western Waters Conference

Dean: Rev. Richard Skare
Word of Peace Lutheran Church, Rogers

394 Corridor North

Dean: Rev. Ryan Fletcher
Christ Memorial Lutheran, Plymouth

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.

MAS Constitution
ELCA Constitution