The Minneapolis Area Synod consists of 167 congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America located in and around the “City of Lakes.”  The synod (a word which means “meeting together”) includes urban, suburban, and rural communities in the greater metropolitan Minneapolis area. It is the largest of the ELCA’s synods and home to some of the largest Lutheran congregations in the world.  

Fast Facts:

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. Click here for the Minneapolis Area Synod Constitution (pdf document).

Our bishop is the Rev. Craig E. Johnson. The bishop’s staff includes program associates and skilled support staff Click here for a list of synod staff. Email addresses are: 
firstinitial.lastname@mpls-synod.org.

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

Secretary  Rev. Thomas Carlson
Treasurer Mr. Larry Cruse
Rev. Duane Addison
Rev. Drew Bakken
Rev. Luisa Cabello Hansel
Rev. Curtis Coats
Mr. Jason Fehring
Rev. Phil Formo
Rev. Robert Hall
Rev. Roger Hardy
Mr. Arnold Hermanson
Ms. Rita Humola-Nelson
Mr. Stanley Kolden
Mr. Peter Larsen
Rev. Brenda Legred
Ms. Ruth Peterson
Rev. Paul Rogers
Rev. Howie Skulstad
Mr. Clarance Smith
Ms. Diane Solomonson
Rev. Mark A. Tiede
Rev. Jason R. Wahlstrom

What does a synod do?
Synods exist to assist and strengthen congregations and to coordinate congregations’ work with other Lutherans and Christians to accomplish together what can not be accomplished alone.

The synod:

• Provides spiritual support to rostered leaders;
  

• Identifies and evaluates candidates for ministry;
  

• Assists congregations in identifying and evaluating candidates for pastoral and professional lay leadership positions;
  

• Assists congregations dealing with conflict, seeking to resolve the situation in a healthy way which will lead to reconciliation, restored harmony or a peaceful separation.
  

• Coordinates the establishment of new congregations:
  These new congregations were organized in 2005 - 2006:

  • Mercy Seat, Lutheran Church, Minneapolis

  • Living Presence Lutheran Church, Blaine

   

• Encourages financial support and involvement from congregations with greater resources to strengthen congregations carrying out mission and ministry in less affluent neighborhoods. The synod also enlists individual congregational members with the capacity to give extra gifts for advancing the mission of Christ. 
  

• Serves as the primary channel for gifts to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America for the wider and more global mission of our church. More than 57 percent of all giving to the synod is passed on to the ELCA. Our congregations, through the Minneapolis Area Synod, and by leadership on major commissions and committees, are partners in the mission strategy of the ELCA.
  

• Exercises leadership to encourage the prophetic voice of congregations, challenging one another to a vision of mission and ministry beyond the local parish. Congregational and synodical leaders seek to hold one another accountable for the whole mission of the whole people of God.
  

• Ministers to new Americans: One-half million immigrants and their children live in the Twin City metropolitan area. This is a great challenge and a great opportunity for Christ. Congregations of our synod seek to be inviting. We also have a great opportunity to continue the Lutheran tradition of service to all people in need, regardless of race, ethnic origin or religion.
  
  To move toward our church’s goal to be a more ethnically diverse church that reflects our community, the Minneapolis Area Synod supports the work of AGORA Ministries. AGORA’s mission is the training of pastors and laity to do outreach to specific ethnic groups, develop appropriate worship and educational materials to meet the spiritual needs of the new immigrants.
  

• Provides program support for congregations:
  The Minneapolis Area Synod has four program groups, called “Tables,” which provide services and support for congregational activities.  Here’s how they are organized:
  
  The Mission Table: Pastor Heather Hammond
  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:
  l. New ministry development and new ministry starts
  2. Mission and outreach strategy for the synod (evangelism training)
  3. Global mission interpretation and promotion
  
  The Leadership Table: staff, Pat Hansen
  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.

The Global Companion Table: staff, Glenndy Ose, Kris Perry, DM
The Minneapolis Area Synod Companion Synod Programs are under the direction of Bishop's Associate, Glenndy Ose, and 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 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.

If you are interested in learning more about becoming a congregational partner or to schedule an adult forum or other educational opportunity, contact: Kris Perry at 612-418-5410 or krisp@visi.com. 

The Partnership Table: Pastor David Wangaard
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

• The synod also coordinates and encourages the work of our many Lutheran institutions. Lutherans are known for their great work in providing services to meet social needs. Lutherans in Minneapolis built hospitals, nursing homes, social service agencies and other organizations that minister to and with people trapped in poverty. Each of these organizations is an extension of congregational ministries. The synod seeks to coordinate and channel the expertise, commitment and resources of these institutions to advance the ministry of the Church. Our partners include these “co-ministries:”
  
  Augsburg College
  Bread of Life Lutheran Congregation for the Deaf
  Board of Social Ministry
  Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches
  Luther Seminary
  Lutheran Campus Ministry
  Lutheran Coalition for Public Policy
  Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota
  Minnesota Council of Churches
  
  And these local partners:
  
  Fairview-Ebenezer
  CareView
  The Good Samaritan Society
  Plymouth Christian Youth Center
  Augustana Care Corporation
  Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
  Augsburg Fortress Publishers
  ELCA Board of Pensions
  
  Links to many of these partners can be found at our web page, “Resources and Links.”