2025 WND Synod Assembly

We are blessed to have the Clarion Hotel partnering with us for the 2025 WND Synod Assembly! Reservations must be made by MAY 8, 2025 to receive the special rate.  Request the Western North Dakota Synod Assembly block of rooms.

CLICK HERE to book your room online

The Clarion Minot

2200 E. Burdick Expy, Minot

701.852.2504

$119/night

Rostered Ministers:

All ELCA Rostered Ministers (pastors and deacons) under call by a congregation of the Western North Dakota Synod or Western North Dakota Synod Council who register and attend.

All retired ELCA Rostered Ministers (pastors and deacons) who are on the retired roster of the Western North Dakota Synod who register and attend.

Further guidance for Rostered Ministers serving as voting members of the Synod Assembly is found in the WND Synod Constitution and related Synod Council Continuing Resolutions.

• S14.15. Each minister of Word and Sacrament on the roster of this synod shall submit a report of ministry to the bishop of the synod at least 90 days prior to each regular meeting of the Synod Assembly.
• S14.15.A23. A minister of Word and Sacrament on the roster of this synod may have voice but not vote at a Synod Assembly if the minister has not complied with S14.15.
• S14.34. Each minister of Word and Service on the roster of this synod shall submit a report of ministry to the bishop of the synod at least 90 days prior to each regular meeting of the Synod Assembly.
• S14.34.A23. A minister of Word and Service on the roster of this synod may have voice but not vote at a Synod Assembly if the minister has not complied with S14.34. 

Lay Voting Members:

The number of lay voting members allotted per congregation is based on the congregations’ baptized membership. Refer to the chart at the right to determine the number of lay voting members your congregation may bring.

Furthermore, the WND Synod Constitution guides voting membership of a Synod Assembly.

• †S7.21. The membership of the Synod Assembly, of which at least 60 percent of the voting membership shall be composed of laypersons, shall be constituted as follows:
• All rostered ministers under call on the roster of this synod shall be voting members of the Synod Assembly.
• A minimum of one lay member elected by each congregation with fewer than 175 baptized members and a minimum of two lay members elected by each congregation with 175 or more baptized members related to this synod, typically one of whom shall be a man and one of whom shall be a woman, shall be voting members. The Synod Council shall establish a formula to provide additional lay representation from congregations on the basis of the number of baptized members in the congregation. The Synod Council shall seek to ensure that, as nearly as possible, at least 45 percent of the lay members of the assembly shall be women and, as nearly as possible, at least 45 percent shall be men.
• Voting membership shall include the officers of this synod.
• S7.21.01. Voting members shall begin serving with the opening of a regular Synod Assembly and shall continue serving until voting members are seated at the next regular Synod Assembly.
• †7.21.02. If a special Synod Assembly is called and voting members at the previous assembly are unable to serve as voting members, where permitted by state law, the congregation through the Congregation Council may elect new members who shall continue to serve until the next regular Synod Assembly.
• S7.22. This synod may establish processes that permit retired rostered ministers, or those designated as disabled, or on leave from call, on the roster of the synod to serve as voting members of the Synod Assembly, provided that such processes not result in fewer than 60% of the voting members of the Synod Assembly being laypersons in contravention of †S7.21.c. If the synod does not establish processes to permit the rostered ministers specified above to serve as voting members, they shall have voice but not vote in the meetings of the Synod Assembly.
• S7.22.A20. The following individuals shall have voice and vote at a Synod Assembly:
• Retired rostered ministers.
• Interim ministers of Word and Sacrament serving a synod congregation.
• Representatives of a synod authorized worshiping community (SAWC).
• A minister of Word and Sacrament from a full communion church body serving in a synod congregation.

Baptized Membership = Lay Voting Members

2 - 500 = 2

501 - 1000 = 3

1001 - 1500 = 4

1501 - 2000 = 5

2001 - 2500 = 6

2501 - 3000 = 7

3001 - 3500 = 8

3501 - 4000 = 9

4001 - 4500 = 10

4501 - 5000 = 11

Keynote Speaker - 

Assembly Chaplain - 

ELCA Churchwide Representative - 

PRE-ASSEMBLY WORKSHOP 1:30-4:30PM, FRIDAY, MAY 30th

Reading Luke Backwards

Presenter: Eric D. Barreto, Weyerhaeuser Associate Professor of New Testament at Princeton Theological Seminary 

Location:  ND State Fair Center Theatre

Description: Some stories are not meant to be read once and in order. Some stories are meant for us to revisit over and over again. The Gospel of Luke is such a story. Luke’s Gospel can help us learn the story of Jesus’s cross and resurrection anew, afresh, and perhaps from a different vantage point. Thus, the invitation to read Luke backwards. In a world turned upside down, how might we approach this narrative if we start at the foot of the cross, at the threshold of the empty tomb? And what if we end the story where it starts, in the arms of Mary? From the end to the beginning, Luke narrates a good news that transforms a ruptured world.

SATURDAY, MAY 31st

4:00PM-ONLY SESSIONS

Congregations Considering or Providing a Community Social Ministry

Presenter:  Synod Attorney, Murray Sagsveen

Location: FFA #2

Description:  Murray Sagsveen will address organizational, risk management, volunteer management, legal, corporate, and other issues for congregations that are considering or are providing a ministry to their community, such as a food bank, thrift store, weekend backpack program, and care for cemeteries. He will explain key concepts, then answer questions from the participants. 

Christian Nationalism: What Is It and How Can We Respond? 

Presenter:  Ross Keys 

Location:  Conference Room 

Description:  Ross Keys from Interfaith Alliance of North Dakota will offer an introduction to Christian Nationalism and outline a few ways that people of faith can respond.

Revitalization Process: Hope for the Future 

Presenter:  Pastor Tera Kossow, DEM 

Location: FFA #3 

Description:  Join Pastor Tera Kossow, Director for Evangelical Mission, for a discussion on what a Revitalization Process might look like in your congregation. Revitalization is brought about through prayer, listening, engaging, and dreaming. Let’s talk about our hope for the future of our congregation, the Body of Christ in the world.

I’m Called to What?!?!

Presenter:  Pastor Brad Dokken, Associate with the Bishop 

Location: Theatre 

Description:  Two truths that exist in Western North Dakota: 1 – we have a shortage of rostered ministers to fill all our openings. 2 – we are blessed with extremely talented people who can help us live into a reimagined way of doing ministry. In this session, we are going to talk about the opportunities that exist for pulpit supply, Synod Authorized Ministers, and those who are considering seminary. Now, more than ever, seminary education is accessible as are classes designed for lay leaders. Come join us for a lively discussion about what the Holy Spirit might be up to in your life. 

Questions and Conversation with Bishop Craig 

Presenter:  Bishop Craig Schweitzer

Location: Theatre

Description: Join Bishop Craig for conversation about all things life, faith, and church. Think less “stump the bishop” and more “how are we doing in this faith journey together.” 

STEWARDSHIP: What's Worked for Others? Will It Work for Us?  

Presenter:  Paul Marsh, GSB Representative  

Location: Norsk Room 

Description:  Join Paul Marsh of GSB Fundraising, one of our synod's Stewardship Specialists, for a session that focuses on several stewardship and congregational campaign case studies. Learn what is working, what is not, and how to take your church's generosity to the next level.  We'll leave plenty of time for your questions and discussion.

5:00PM-ONLY SESSIONS

Best Practices for Congregation Leaders  

Presenter:  Synod Attorney Murray Sagsveen  

Location:  FFA #2 

Description: Murray will address best practices for congregation leaders, particularly members of congregation councils. He will focus on constitutional responsibilities, internal controls, adopting policies through continuing resolutions, risk management, volunteer management, organizational audits, leadership development, and other corporate issues. He will initially explain key concepts, then will answer questions from the participants. 

Suicide Stigma in the Christian Tradition: It's Not Biblical”  

Presenter:  Rev. Sylvia Bull 

Location: FFA #1 

Description:  This workshop will cover the treatment of suicide in Christian history, including the origins of suicide stigma in Christian belief and practice, contrasted with biblical perspectives on suicide as a part of human experience and how faith communities can meaningfully accompany those struggling with suicide thoughts. The workshop includes opportunities for participation by attendees and the chance to ask questions at the end. 

Fresh Expression Worship Immersion: "Messy Church"

Presenter:  Pastor Tera Kossow, DEM 

Location: FFA #3 

Description: Join Pastor Tera Kossow, Director for Evangelical Mission, for an immersion experience of “Messy Church,” a form of Fresh Expression of church. Fresh Expressions are innovative ways to engage congregation members and community members in a way that shares the Love of Christ with the world without the formality of a traditional worship service. Messy Church allows space for people of all ages to interact and build relationships with one another as they focus on the Word through quiet contemplation, conversations, and laughter. 

CALLING ALL SAMs: An Overview of Synod Authorized Ministers from Across the ELCA

Presenter: Rev. Phil Hirsch - ELCA Executive Director of Christian Community and Leadership

Location:   Theatre 

Description:  In 2024, about 8% of all ELCA congregations were led by Synod Authorized Ministers. That number is increasing dramatically in many parts of the ELCA, but especially in Western North Dakota where as many as 25-30% of congregations are now led by a SAM. What can we learn from what is occurring in other parts of the country? What does church history have to teach us about what is happening now? How might we understand this as a work of the Holy Spirit that can help the Gospel and our congregations to find a way forward? A study was recently published about SAMs in the ELCA, some of the key findings will be presented, and important questions and experiences will be discussed. This workshop is open to all, SAMs are especially welcomed!

Connecting Faith to Music

Presenter:  Pastor Brad Dokken, Associate with the Bishop 

Location:  Conference Room

Description:  Have you ever struggled to express your faith in words or ways that make sense? If so, you might want to attend this session to learn one way to express your faith. Pastor Brad Dokken will walk us through a practice of expressing our faith through secular music. In this interactive session, he will talk about how he has used this practice and how you can use it as well, either as a personal devotion or with a group.    

Hunger and Injustice

Presenter:  Rev. Mark Nygard 

Location:  Norsk Room

Description:  We Lutherans say we believe in sharing the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ with our neighbors, near and far, yet we often have difficulty playing out the ramifications of that impulse when it comes to hunger and injustice. We say we are concerned for our neighbors’ well-being, yet neighborly trauma due to hunger and injustice persist. Join Pastor Mark Nygard for regional news on fresh hunger and justice initiatives. Wonder with him about at least three levels of attack on these perennial problems.