Synod Governance

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.

Rev. Dr. Dee Pederson was elected June 12, 2021, to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Southwestern Minnesota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

Churchwide Assembly Voting Members

Synod Assembly

Voting members from each congregation and all rostered ministers in the Southwestern Minnesota Synod gather annually to worship, learn, conduct business, and prayerfully deliberate about what God is calling us to do in the synod. The Synod Assembly is the synod’s highest legislative authority within the SW MN Synod.

2026 Synod Assembly
When: June 5-6, 2026
Time:  Registration opens 11:30 am - Friday, June 5th (on-site)
Place:  Gustavus Adolphus College & online via Zoom
Theme:  Grounded in Hope.

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. Each congregation has its own constitution.

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 Mrs. Maria Lokensgard, serving her first, four-year term.

Council Members:

  • Rev. Dee Pederson, Bishop
  • Maria Lokensgard, Vice-President
  • Bob Haines, Treasurer
  • Donn Hoffman, At-Large, Exec. Comm
  • Rev. Ann Zastrow, Secretary
  • Seyward Ask, Synod Staff
  • Erick Avila, St James
  • Seth Boerboom, Marshall
  • Russell Britton, Sartell
  • Michael Carlson, Sauk Centre
  • Heather Culuris, Synod Staff
  • Dolyn Deschepper, Spicer
  • Chad Duffy, Slayton
  • Erika Durheim, Hutchinson
  • Megan Eide, Tyler
  • Paul Engel, North Mankato
  • Thomas Evenson, Litchfield
  • Amanda France, St James
  • Carly Haines, Willmar
  • Brenda Handel-Johnson, St Peter
  • Calvin Hanson, Madelia
  • Kristy Henriksen, Pipestone
  • Cherrish Holland, New London
  • Lowell Krogstad, Evan
  • Donald McKee, Montevideo
  • Ilene Penk, Brownton
  • Austin Peters-Smith, Jackson
  • Troy Pflibsen, Synod Staff
  • Christopher Richards, Morris
  • Katherine Rohloff, New Auburn
  • Tim Velde, Granite Falls
  • Courtney Young, Richfield

Conference 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 Sarah Zender, Shetek
  • Rev Austin Krohnke, Prairie
  • Rev Charles Swanson, Scenic Valley
  • Rev Stephanie Christoffels, Great River
  • Rev Mort Meyenburg, Lac Qui Parle
  • Rev Jonathan Dahl, Lakeland
  • Rev Janine Olson, Crow River
  • Rev Erik Karlson, Minnesota Valley
  • Rev David Nissen, Watonwan River
  • Rev Steven Carmany, Glacial Ridge
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