Jen Nagel

Not to be confused with Jennifer Nagel.

The Reverend Jennifer Nagel
Bishop of the Minneapolis Area Synod of the ELCA
Jen Nagel shortly after being elected, 2024
Elected	May 4, 2024
Predecessor	Ann M. Svennungsen
Other post(s)	Pastor at University Lutheran Church of Hope, Pastoral Ministry (later Pastor) at Salem English Lutheran Church
Orders
Ordination	2008
Personal details
Born	New Ulm, Minnesota
Denomination	Lutheran
Spouse	Rev. Jane McBride
Children	2
Occupation	Bishop
Alma mater	University of Chicago Divinity School Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago Concordia College University of St. Andrews-St. Mary’s School of Divinity [1]

Jen Nagel 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]

Ministry

Jen 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. ^[3] From 2008 onwards, she continued as pastor of that church until 2015. ^[4]

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]

Personal life

Nagel is married to Rev. Jane McBride, a pastor in the United Church of Christ. They have two children. ^[7]

See also

• List of ELCA synods
• Timeline of women's ordination
• Christianity and sexual orientation
• List of Christian denominations affirming LGBTQ people

References

1. Huff, Jeni. "Bishop Jen Nagel".
2. "A Church Divided, Together". Minnesota Public Radio News. August 20, 2010.
3. "Rev. Jen Nagel's Extraordinary Ordination". HRC (Press release). January 18, 2008.
4. "Bishop Nominee Bio - Jen Nagel" (PDF). Minneapolis Area Synod (Press release).
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. "Our Staff". First Congregational Church of Minnesota.