The Southwestern Minnesota Synod is governed by an annual synod assembly, voting members from each congregation in the SW MN Synod elect a Synod Council and Bishop to provide oversight and leadership between synodical assemblies.
Our bishop is The Rev. Jon V. Anderson, serving his third, six-year term as Bishop. The bishop’s staff includes synod ministers, conference ministers and support staff.
Click here to view the synod staff.
Synod Constitution
Synod Constitution
The synod constitution is a governing document of our church’s expressions in the ELCA, it reflects the theology and polity of this church.
Click here to read and download the SW MN Synod Constitution. (PDF)
Click here to read and download the ELCA Churchwide Constitution.
Each congregation has its own constitution. Click here to read about congregation constitutions, amendments and ELCA model constitutions.
Synod Council
Synod Council
The Synod Council consists of four officers and 10-24 other members (shall include one person from each conference), and at least one youth. The council is elected by the synod assembly and serves a three-year term.
The vice president of the synod and chair of the Synod Council is Mr. Ferman Woodberry, serving his first, four-year term.
Other council members are:
Rev. Jon Anderson, Bishop
Mr Ferman Woodberry, Vice-President
Mr Chuck Engebretson, Treasurer
Rev. Julius Miller, At-Large, Exec. Comm
Christina Nelson , At-Large, Exec. Comm
Rev Ann Zastrow, Secretary
Rev Justin Ask
Rev Maggie Berndt-Dreyer
Mr Dale Brandsoy
Ms Patricia Branstad
Rev Dwaine Bruns
Rev Stephen Cook
Mr David DeLong
Mr Ben Durheim
Ms Mia Eisenbacher
Mr Jewel Ekern
Rev Maggie Falenschek
Rev Susan Grinde
Mr Leif Hausken
Ms Kristy Henriksen
Rev Andrew Hermodson-Olsen
Rev Kristine Isder
Ms Joan Iverson
Ms Maria Lokensgard
Rev Eric Natwick
Rev Todd Nelsen
Rev Michael Nelson
Rev Diane Pederson
Rev Kathryn Skoglund
Mr Mark Swanson
Rev David Tonn
Conference Deans
Conferences Deans
A Synod Dean is a rostered minister elected from within their conference. The Dean is the administrative officer of the conference and is an extension of the Office of the Bishop. The dean facilitates communication between the congregations in the conference and between the conference and the bishop.
Dean
Rev Joyce Capp
Rev Janel Kuester
Rev Shannon Wachter
Rev Mark Astrup
Rev Kristine Isder
Rev Mandy France
Rev Mindy Czycalla
Rev Scott Richards
Rev Krista Strum
Rev Dan Belgum-Blad
Conference
Shetek
Prairie
Scenic Valley
Great River
Lac Qui Parle
Lakeland
Crow River
Minnesota Valley
Watonwan River
Glacial Ridge
