Bishop Election
The Saint Paul Area Synod will elect a new bishop in May 2026. This election is a call process that will require time, reflection, prayer and openness to the Spirit. Throughout the year, the Bishop Election Committee (BEC) will update these pages to help those in the synod learn about and participate in the process, as well as provide information for those discerning a call to serve as Bishop. Questions? Send them to bec@spas-elca.org.
Election of our bishop is a four-step process.
Click each of the icons below for more details about each step:
PREPARING
Overview
Duties of a Bishop
Ministry Site Profile
LISTENING
Survey
Listening Sessions
NOMINATING
Conference Assemblies
Nomination Forms
Nominee Bios & Interviews
VOTING
Ecclesiastical Ballot
Who Can Vote
Confirmed Results
Bishop Election Committee
Members of the Bishop Election Committee include both rostered ministers and lay leaders and includes representation from all six of the conferences in the synod’s geographic area. They include:
Pastor Martin Erickson – Como Park, St. Paul (chair)
Pastor Cindy Bullock – Immanuel, St. Paul
Sue Fairchild – Shepherd of the Hills, Shoreview
Pastor Sarah Friesen-Carper – Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, Roseville
Jeff Garritsen – Elim, Scandia
James Her – Eternal Flame, Vadnais Heights
Mark Jackson – St. Andrews, Mahtomedi
Pastor Joy Knoppel – Christiana, Lakeville
Deacon Brad Mills – Crossroads Parish, New Brighton
Annie Morgan – Amazing Grace, Inver Grove Heights
Melissa Taphorn – Shepherd of the Valley, Apple Valley
At the first meeting, the BEC committed to the following values:
- Operate with grace toward all.
- Be transparent.
- Treat all candidates equitably.
- Remain candidate-neutral in our conversations.
- Practice mutual respect.
- Be reconciled to one another in the Holy Spirit.
- Strive for clarity in communication.
You can contact the committee at bec@spas-elca.org.
Key Dates
- October 2025: Survey to be sent to rostered ministers and congregation presidents
- October 12-14, 2025: Listening Session at Bishop’s Theological Conference at Arrowwood Resort, Alexandria (for rostered ministers)
- Nov. 1, 2025: Listening Session at Augustana Lutheran Church in West St. Paul – 10 a.m. (for all interested from the congregations in the synod)
- Nov. 6, 2025: Listening Session at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Shoreview – 7 p.m. (for all interested from the congregations in the synod)
- February 14, 2026 (morning): Conference Assemblies at Christ the King in New Brighton (voting members may nominate up to three candidates per conference)
- April 12, 2026 – 2 p.m.: Meet the Pre-Identified Bishop Candidates at Roseville Lutheran Church, Roseville
- May 15-16, 2026: Synod Assembly at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, Mahtomedi (Bishop elected by voting members)
Updates From the Bishop Election Committee
A Prayer for the Bishop Election Process
Holy One, we pray for your church. Fill it with passion for your word and trust in your promises. Raise up gifts among us as we work to call a new bishop for the Saint Paul Area Synod: listening and speaking, analyzing and inspiring, humility and grace. In all things may we trust in your promises, follow your will and serve your people, through Jesus Christ, who is our hope. Amen.
