Join us in welcoming these gifted rostered ministers as Interim Synod Ministers.
They will be serving part-time in the areas of Call process, Candidacy, and Synod-Authorized Ministries.
Rev. Stephen Cook and Rev. Linda Pedersen previously served as Synod Ministers and will bring both their knowledge of the call process and familiarity with congregations and leaders as they help us connect ministry leaders with congregations. Rev. Cook will work with the Crow River and Scenic Valley Conferences, and be the staff connect for the Policies and Procedures Committee and the Bishop Election Committee. Rev. Pedersen will be the point person for call process in the Minnesota Valley and Watonwon River Conferences. They and Bishop Pederson will work with congregations in the call process in the Scenic Valley Conference. They began their work October 15, 2026. Rev. Cook can be reached at [email protected]. Rev. Pedersen can be reached at [email protected]
Dcn. Beth Anderson has worked previously with the Candidacy process for the Western North Dakota Synod. She is a coach and spiritual director whose gifts also will be an asset for those discerning a call to ministry. Dcn. Anderson will work with the synod Candidacy Committee. We are so pleased to welcome her experience and knowledge for our Candidacy process—one of those areas where knowledge of the ELCA's Candidacy system will be very important. She is officially on board November 1, 2026. You can email Dcn. Anderson after Nov. 6th at [email protected]
Rev. Leonard Hummel will provide oversight for the area of Synod-Authorized Ministries. A Professor Emeritus for United Theological Seminary, Rev. Hummel he has done extensive work in the area of pastoral care and holds a strong commitment to the future of lay theological training. He will work with planning training opportunities, relating to SAMs and mentors, and serving as staff connect for the work of a Synod-Authorized Ministry Committee. Rev. Hummel’s email will be available after Nov. 6 and you will be able to reach him at [email protected].
All of them will be working part-time, so thank you for your patience as they respond to messages. Please join us in welcoming them as we serve together in ministry!
Rev. Stephen Cook
Call Process
Steve has served congregations of all sizes and contexts as a settled and interim pastor, as well as a consultant, and as a Synod Minister. As Interim Synod Minister he will work with congregations in the Scenic Valley and Crow River Conferences, especially those in pastoral leadership transitions and call process. He will also lend staff support to the Policies & Procedures Committee of the Synod Council and to the Bishop Election Committee.
Steve lives in St Cloud with his wife Sylvia.
Rev. Linda Pedersen
Call Process
Linda served in a number of youth and family ministry positions, prior to her ordination to Word and Sacrament ministry. She served as Pastor in two Saint Paul Area Synod congregations before accepting a call to the Southwestern Minnesota Synod as a Synod Minister in 2004. She retired in 2018, but returns to our synod staff as a part-time Interim Synod Minister.
Her focus will be on the Minnesota Valley and Watonwan River Conferences, helping with call transitions and leadership support. In addition, she will be a staff advisor to the Servant Leadership and Compensation Guidelines Committees.
Linda lives on Lake Marion in Brownton with her husband Dave.
Dcn. Beth Anderson
Candidacy
Over the past 20 years, Deacon Beth Anderson has accompanied people of all ages - youth, young adults, & young-at hearts - as they discover and discern who they are called to be and strive to live out that calling with integrity and authenticity. She is convinced that every person is created with unique gifts, talents and characteristics, claimed by a God who loves them, and called to share their fullness with the world in community. Equipping and empowering ministry leaders has been central to her work throughout her career. Beth has served on synod staff in the Western North Dakota Synod, in campus ministry at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, and as a youth director in the Twin Cities. She continues that work as the founder of Centered Growth Coaching and Spiritual Direction where she offers spiritual direction, coaching and leadership development services. Beth resides in Bismarck, ND with her husband, Dallas and their two daughters. She looks forward to learning the stories of the people of Southwestern MN and supporting the work of candidacy in this synod.
Rev. Leonard Hummel
Synod-Authorized Ministries
Leonard is Professor Emeritus of Pastoral Theology at United Lutheran Seminary (Gettysburg/Philadelphia). Currently, he is part-time interim pastor of Neighbors in Christ Parish (Winthrop/Gibbon) and casual chaplain for Allina/New Ulm Hospice. As Coordinator of Synod-Authorized Ministry and SAM Mentors, he will investigate and recommend the best programs for the training and formation of current and future SAMs, supervise the work of SAM mentors with SAMs, assist in preparation and administration of retreats for SAMs and their mentors, and convene the synod committee for Synod-Authorized Ministry. With Dr. Gayle Woloschak at Northwestern University School of Medicine, he authored, Chance, Necessity, and Love: An Evolutionary Theology of Cancer. With Dr Woloschak and Dr. Frederick Ware, Professor of Theology at Howard University School of Divinity, he is currently working on the book project: A Birth of Freedom from Racial Science: Genetic Studies for the Beloved Community. He likes to be with/make friends and to exercise.