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Governance

The Minneapolis Area Synod is governed by an annual assembly that elects a Synod Council and bishop to provide oversight and leadership between synodical assemblies.

Our bishop is the Rev. Ann M. Svennungsen. The bishop’s staff includes program associates and skilled support staff. A list of synod staff can be found here. Email addresses are: firstinitial.lastname[at]mpls-synod.org.

The vice president of the synod and chair of the Synod Council is Ms. Michelle Reichow.
Other council members are:

Rev. Thomas Carlson, Secretary
Mr. Larry Oppegaard, Treasurer
Rev. Christine Bellefeuille
Rev. Judy Burgett Winzig
Ms. Babette Chatman
Rev. Laurie Eaton
Rev. Dan Garnaas
Mr. Tom Gustafson
Ms. Miranda Harincar
Ms. Carolyn Hirsch
Mr. Richard Iskra
Mr. Clark Joslin
Mr. Larry Kounkel
Ms. Diane LaFontaine
Mr. Peter Larsen
Mr. Jonathan Moore
Rev. Josh Nelson
Ms. Leslee Nestingen
Ms. Suzan Pederson
Rev. Lee Ann Pomrenke
Rev. Randy Romsdahl
Rev. Mark Vinge
Mr. John Whisnant

Minneapolis Area Synod and ELCA Constitutions

Minneapolis Area Synod Conferences

The synod is divided up into 11 conferences and each is overseen by a dean.

Bloomington Conference
Dean: Rev. Christine Wenzel
St. Stephen's Lutheran Church, Bloomington

Central Conference
Dean: Rev. Mary Halvorson
Grace University Lutheran Church, Minneapolis

Crosstown Conference
Deans: Rev. Anne Hokenstad
House of Prayer Lutheran Church, Richfield

North Minneapolis Conference
Dean: Rev. Melissa Pohlman
Christ English Lutheran Church, Minneapolis

Northern Conference
Dean: Rev. David Everett
Cambridge Evangelical Lutheran Church

Northwest Conference
Dean: Rev. Nancy Bence
Peace Lutheran Church of Coon Rapids

Northwest Hennepin Conference
Dean: Rev. David Lechelt
St. James Lutheran Church, Crystal

South Minneapolis Conference
Dean: Rev. Mark Hallonquist
St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Minneapolis

Southwest Conference
Dean: Rev. Randy Romsdahl
St. John's Lutheran Church, Shakopee

Western Parks and Lakes Conference
Deans: Rev. Louise Mollick and Rev. Brenda Legred
St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Minnetonka; Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, Excelsior

394 Corridor North Conference
Dean: Rev. Wayne Peterson
Saint Barnabas Lutheran Church, Plymouth

Lutheran Chaplain Liaison
Rev. Paul Galchutt
UMMC, Fairview Spiritual Health Services

The Mission Table

The Mission Table "shall make Christ known" in our towns, villages, neighborhoods and metropolitan community; to grow our congregations numerically, spiritually and in discipleship; to transform lives, congregation and communities."

Goals: 1. New ministry development and new ministry starts 2. Mission and outreach strategy for the synod (evangelism training) 3. Global mission interpretation and promotion.

Direction under: Rev. Susan Tjornehoj

The Leadership Table

The Leadership Table is dedicated to facilitating networking among rostered leaders and congregations, encouraging extensive sharing and mutual support.

Programs: Youth Ministry Network Steering Committee, Bishops’ Theological Conference, Bishop’s Lay Leadership Conference, Congregational Toolkit, Lutheran Older Adult Ministry (LOAM), pre-retirement seminar, first-call theological education and colleague groups.

Direction under: Pat Hansen

The Global Companion Table

The purpose of the Companion Synod Program is to establish, nurture and strengthen communion relationships in mission within the body of Christ.

Engaging in life-long, congregation-to-congregation relationships, partnerships provide opportunities to participate in the life and ministry of the companions through prayer, study, communication, exchange of visitors, and sharing of resources. Companion relationships open our eyes to the many challenges of the global context and call us to deepen our commitment to be true disciples of Christ as individuals and as a community of faith.

The Minneapolis Area Synod Companion Synod Programs are coordinated by Diaconal Minister, Kris Perry, in partnership with Archbishop Babba and the Lutheran Church of Christ Nigeria. The Leipzig Connection is in partnership with Superintendent Martin Henker and the Leipzig District of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Saxony, Germany.

The Partnership Table

This Table is a catalyst for partnering connections between the congregations in this synod, the ecumenical church and the many co-ministries and agencies seeking the common good of the whole community in the light of the Gospel of Christ.

Goals: l. To bridge city, suburban and rural congregations 2. To promote co-ministry and congregational partnerships 3. To explore new urban ministry starts and finding the partners to make it possible 4. Promote multi-culturalism within the church 5. Address issues of world hunger and other social concerns

Credits