Jen Nagel

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The Reverend

Jennifer Nagel
Bishop of the Minneapolis Area Synod of the ELCA
Jen Nagel Acceptance.png
Jen Nagel shortly after being elected, 2024
ElectedMay 4, 2024
Predecessor Ann Svennungsen
Other post(s)Pastor at University Lutheran Church of Hope, Pastoral Ministry (later Pastor) at Salem English Lutheran Church
Orders
Ordination2008
Personal details
Born1962
New Ulm, Minnesota
Denomination Lutheran
SpouseRev. Jane McBride
Children2
Occupation Bishop
Alma mater

Jen Nagel (born 1962) is a Bishop in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA). She was elected to a six-year term in 2024. She is the first lesbian to hold the title of Bishop for the Minneapolis Area Synod. [2]

Contents

Education

Nagel attended University of St. Andrews-St. Mary’s School of Divinity from 1992-1993, and graduated from Concordia College with a bachelor's degree in religion in 1994. She then attended the University of Chicago Divinity School, where she graduated with a masters of divinity in 1998. She then attended the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago and earned a certificate of studies in 1999, along with an internship at Lord of Light Lutheran Church. She would also have an internship at the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. [3]

Ministry

Nagel first served at Salem English Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, beginning in 2003. Initially, she served as Pastoral Ministry, until her ordination in 2008, when she became a pastor. However, non-celibate members of the LGBT the ELCA were not allowed to be officially ordained until 2009. Instead, she was 'extraordinarily ordained' by Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries, until she was formally recognized by the ELCA in 2010. [4] From 2008 onwards, she continued as pastor of that church until 2015. [3]

She then served as Lead Pastor for the University Lutheran Church of Hope from 2015, until her election to bishop in May 2024. She officially assumed the position on September 21, 2024. [5] As bishop, her goals have been to strengthen the synod's ties to Lutheran churches in Nigeria and Germany. [6] In 2025, she attended the Lutheran World Federation’s Retreat of Newly Elected Leaders along with 12 other bishops in Bossey. [7]

Personal life

Nagel is married to Rev. Jane McBride, a pastor in the United Church of Christ. They have two children. [8]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Huff, Jeni. "Bishop Jen Nagel".
  2. ↑ "A Church Divided, Together". Minnesota Public Radio News. August 20, 2010.
  3. 1 2 "Bishop Nominee Bio - Jen Nagel" (PDF). Minneapolis Area Synod (Press release).
  4. ↑ "Rev. Jen Nagel's Extraordinary Ordination". HRC (Press release). January 18, 2008.
  5. ↑ "LSTC Alum Pastor Jen Nagel Elected Bishop". Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. 2024.
  6. ↑ "Nagel '94 elected new bishop of Minneapolis Area Synod". Concordia College. Archived from the original on 2025-05-19. Retrieved 2025-08-30.
  7. ↑ https://mpls-synod.org/2025/09/led-into-life/
  8. ↑ "Our Staff". First Congregational Church of Minnesota.
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