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August 10, 2026
To: Congregations and Lay and Rostered Leaders in Eastern North Dakota Synod
From: The EaND Synod Executive Committee
Dear fellow members of the Eastern North Dakota Synod:
Grace and Peace to you.
We write as elected officers and members of the EaND Synod Council. We are aware that congregations have received a letter from “Data Synod” inviting congregational representatives to petition for a special Synod Assembly. Our purpose is to provide information so you are aware of what your elected leaders are doing and the policies, procedures and values that are being followed.
The 2026 EaND Synod Assembly was held June 5-7. The business of the Assembly included ministry reports, discussion and decisions regarding synod mission planning, and elections of synod leaders.
On June 7, 2026, the Synod Assembly reelected the Rev. Tessa Moon Leiseth to a second six-year term of office as Bishop. She accepted the position, and the Assembly affirmed its support for her in an Affirmation of Ministry, that included the Presiding Officer asking the Assembly:
People of God,
will you continue to receive Tessa,
as a servant of God and a shepherd in Christ’s church?
Will you pray for her, help and honor her for her work’s sake,
and in all things strive to live together
in the peace and unity of Christ?
If so, answer, “We will.”
The Assembly responded, “We will.”
On July 15, 2026 the Bishop sent a Quick Connect update to leaders across the synod indicating that listening and discernment over the past year had led her to see the synod heading in new directions in the goal of ministry vitality. She acknowledged, with gratitude, the work of Deacon Erin Power “especially in helping congregations of this synod open up to and embrace adaptive change and consider the myriad of ways they can faithfully be church in this day.” The Bishop also reported that in the shift to new directions, she had brought Deacon Erin Power’s ministry with the synod to a close and would be bringing on a new Director of Evangelical Mission (DEM). The Bishop invited members of the synod to sign an electronic card to express their thanks and good wishes to Deacon Erin as well.
We recognize the grief that many feel in this staffing change. We recognize the vulnerability that rural congregations and specialized ministries often feel. The commitment to mission vitality was underscored. The bishop continues to work on the staffing for that.
On July 20, 2026 the EaND Synod Vice President received an email from “A Few EaND Synod Pastors” via a “Data Synod” email account. The Data Synod group alleged concerns regarding the synod’s work environment, claiming patterns that suggest a toxic workplace culture. The group also expressed concern about the staffing decision regarding the DEM position. They stated they were circulating a petition to call a Special Synod Assembly as outlined in Section S7.12 of the Eastern North Dakota Synod Constitution.
The Synod Council was informed of the special petition. Following up on the concerns expressed regarding the bishop’s exercise of her constitutional responsibility of “supervision over the work of all synod staff members (section S.8.12.i.5 of the Synod Constitution), the Synod Executive Committee (which is the synod personnel committee) moved to form an Inquiry Committee to provide an independent and confidential way of listening, learning, and advising action regarding the personnel matters. The Data Synod group was informed that the Synod Executive Committee was proceeding in this manner.
The Synod Executive Committee urged the Data Synod group not to proceed with the petition for the special Synod Assembly, because, as explained below, any attempt to discuss staffing and personnel matters on the floor of the Assembly would be out of order and the Executive Committee is proceeding as required by the Synod Constitution to address the personnel concerns set forth in the petition. The Data Synod group has proceeded and has sent a letter to all congregations in the synod titled “A Call for Transparency and Accountability” seeking more signatures on the petition calling for a special Synod Assembly.
Again, our goal in this letter is to explain the process under way in accordance with the Synod Constitution and the work of the Executive Committee as the personnel committee of the Synod.
I. The Petition
Section 7.12 of the Eastern North Dakota Synod Constitution states that a special meeting of the Synod Assembly “shall be called by the bishop at the request of 50 of the voting members of the last regular Synod Assembly.” It also provides that the call for a special Synod Assembly must identify the purpose for that assembly.
The proposed purpose in the petition circulated by the anonymous Data Synod group is:
to address serious concerns regarding the synod’s work environment, including patterns described by former employees that suggest a toxic workplace culture, as well as the circumstances surrounding the termination of Deacon Erin Power. These concerns raise questions about leadership practices, accountability, and whether personnel decisions have been made based on personal matters rather than a clear and transparent vision for the synod’s future. These actions will call for a vote to be taken to name that the assembly has no confidence in the leadership of Bishop Tessa Moon Leiseth.
II. The Constitutional Assignment of Personnel Responsibilities
The purpose stated in the Data Synod’s petition concerns the bishop’s engagement with and management of synod staff. The Synod Constitution, at Sections +S8.12.i.1. and 5., states that the bishop serves “as the president of the synod corporation and [is] the chief executive and administrative officer of this synod” and shall “[e]xercise supervision over the work of all synod staff members.”
While the Synod Assembly is the legislative body of the synod, the executive responsibilities (including personnel matters) are explicitly assigned to the bishop. Staffing and personnel decisions are not legislative decisions. Moreover, the Synod policies and protocols in place for personnel matters are intended to protect the dignity, privacy, and careers of persons serving in synod staff positions.
The Synod Constitution provides direction regarding responsibilities if there are concerns about how a bishop is carrying out their duties. Section +S17.02 states: “When a concern relates directly to the synod bishop, the synod vice president will lead the Executive Committee’s efforts at resolving the matter.” In addition, the Executive Committee serves as the personnel committee for the synod. Thus, concerns about the bishop are to be brought to the Executive Committee of the Synod Council, which will address them.
The Executive Committee has heard and takes seriously the concerns regarding Bishop Tessa Moon Leiseth’s leadership of synod staffing. The Executive Committee formed an Inquiry Committee to listen, examine, assess, and recommend action to the Executive Committee as appropriate. This aligns with the Synod Constitution (Section +17.02) regarding “receiv[ing] expressions of concern from rostered ministers, congregations, and organizations within this synod.”
The Executive Committee is proceeding according to the constitutional, legal, and parliamentary provisions that structure our shared life and work.
III. The Executive Committee’s Invitation to the Data Synod Group
The Executive Committee has communicated all of the above information to the Data Synod group. On July 30, 2026, the Executive Committee wrote that the individuals in the Data Synod Group “do have an opportunity to disclose the facts that cause [them] concern and to have [their] concerns heard and addressed as needed.” The note indicated the “Executive Committee is proceeding in good faith in an inquiry process that pursues questions of staffing, preserves individual confidentiality, and can provide recommendations for action that may be pursued” and repeated “If you have other concerns, please disclose to the Executive Committee the specific factual grounds for those concerns, and the Executive Committee will also hear and address them in good faith.”
IV. The Inquiry Committee
The Executive Committee believes a confidential inquiry is the proper process under the Synod Constitution for assessing and addressing concerns about the bishop. Importantly, considering those concerns thoroughly and fairly requires gathering information regarding confidential matters, including the review of personnel files and interviews of past and present staff. A discussion of these personnel matters is not appropriate on the Assembly floor.
The Inquiry Committee will invite input from individuals who have served or are serving in staff positions in the synod office, as well as others who might have relevant factual information they want to provide. The bishop will also be interviewed. The work of the Inquiry Committee is designed to be deep, rigorous, and respectful of the individuals who provide information. The report of the Inquiry Committee will honor the dignity, privacy, and professional pathways of those individuals. The Inquiry Committee will make determinations and provide information and recommendations as needed to the Executive Committee.
The persons appointed to serve on the Inquiry Committee are persons able to listen carefully and maintain absolute confidentiality, persons with deep leadership experience in the synod, persons with experience in conflict resolution, persons who are trustworthy and committed to care for the people and mission of the synod.
The following persons have agreed to serve as members of the Inquiry Committee:
Pastor Kristi Weber: Senior Pastor of Trinity Lutheran, Jamestown; served as Synod Secretary on the Synod Council and Synod Executive Committee (elected in 2016 to a 4-year term, appointed as Interim Secretary Fall 2024 – June 2025); currently serves on the Synod Consultation Committee (elected in 2022 to a 6 year term); Trained Healthy Congregations Facilitator for conflict prevention and resolution; served on Minneapolis Area Synod Bridge Builders team for conflict resolution; past voting member at Churchwide Assembly
Joel T. Kangas, D.D.S.: Member of St. John, Fargo; served on the Synod Council; currently serves on the EaND Candidacy Committee; served on the ELCA Churchwide Committee on Discipline; Installation Committee member for two bishops; past voting member at Churchwide Assembly; serves on the ND Board of Dental Examiners
Ryu Kroshus: Member of St. Mark’s Lutheran, Fargo; served on the Synod Council 2022-2026; Synod Council Executive Committee member 2023-2026; Operations Manager leading multiple teams of people; experience conducting HR reviews and reports; past voting member at Churchwide Assembly; backup pianist for St. Mark’s
The Executive Committee has asked the Inquiry Committee to be thorough in its investigation but also to work as expeditiously as possible. We hope the work will be completed by mid-September but cannot guarantee that.
Because the concerns expressed involve personnel matters, the work must be completed confidentially, and the full report of the Inquiry Committee must be provided only to the Executive Committee (i.e., the personnel committee). However, while protecting the confidentiality of individuals’ input and information, the Inquiry Committee’s conclusions and recommendations will also be provided to the Synod Council.
We invite anyone with first-hand factual information related to the workplace and staff management in the synod office to contact the Inquiry Committee. We have established an email account for the Inquiry Committee, and any communication related to the committee’s work should be sent to that email (not personal email addresses). The address for the Inquiry Committee email account is EaNDInquiry@eandsynod.org. The only persons with access to the e-mail received at this address are the members of the Inquiry Committee. Please provide your name and contact information when communicating with the Inquiry Committee. Your name will be kept confidential within the Inquiry Committee.
V. Considerations regarding a Special Synod Assembly
a. Logistics
If a Special Synod Assembly is held, the following logistics will apply:
The quorum, in accordance with S7.14 of the Synod Constitution, will be one-third of the members of the Synod Assembly. If a lay person from a congregation who was a voting member at the June 2026 Synod Assembly is unable to serve as a voting member at the Special Synod Assembly, “the congregation or its council may elect new members who shall continue to serve until the next regular Synod Assembly” (Synod Const. +S7.21.02).
The bishop has recused herself from the Executive Committee and has not participated in the Synod Council or Executive Committee work related to the Inquiry Committee or communication with Data Synod. She has asked, if there were to be a special Synod Assembly, that the Synod Council designate another individual to preside and to prepare the agenda. The Council would designate a presiding officer, prepare the agenda, and set a time and place. The Synod Council would also designate a parliamentarian for the meeting. The Synod Secretary would provide notice of the meeting date, time, and location to all voting members (Synod Const. S7.11.01. and S7.13).
The Synod would not be able to reimburse voting members for any lodging, food, or mileage expenses. Further, depending on the cost of holding the Special Synod Assembly, voting members may be assessed a registration fee. The Synod Council will work through these details and provide more information if a special Synod Assembly were to be held.
b. Robert’s Rules of Order
The Data Synod group’s petition for a special Synod Assembly calls for discussion of personnel matters and a vote concerning the Synod Assembly of “no confidence” in the bishop. As detailed above, a discussion of personnel matters would be out of order under the Synod Constitution.
Additionally, the Data Synod’s purpose for the assembly also runs into issues under Robert’s Rules of Order, which govern the meetings of the Synod Assembly.
Neither the Synod Constitution nor Robert’s Rules of Order provides for a vote of no confidence. Robert’s Rules of Order also contains strict rules about reconsidering or rescinding decisions already made by the Assembly in June. The Rules do not allow an assembly to rescind or reconsider an election if the elected person was present and did not decline the position (Rules 36 & 37).
Further, if the assembly wants to reconsider actions already taken, a motion to do that “can be made only on the day the vote to be reconsidered was taken, or on the next succeeding day,” and it “must be made by one who voted with the prevailing side” (Rule 36).
The Synod Assembly voted on June 7th to reelect the bishop. This election entrusted and called the bishop to lead the Synod during the next six years, and the Assembly affirmed its commitment to work in partnership. The synod goals and Mission Plan adopted by the Synod Assembly guide the vision and the direction for that shared work.
VI. In closing
The Executive Committee of the Synod Council is proceeding in good faith in addressing the staffing matters that have been raised. We respectfully request that Synod members hold in prayer the work of the Inquiry Committee. Any issues found by the Inquiry Committee will be handled and addressed by the Executive Committee, in accordance with our Synod Constitution.
Collectively, as a synod, we also need to find ways to hear and address the grief, anxiety, and puzzlement that is being felt. Let us use our committees, conferences, and connections for building up the body.
Our shared call and commitment are to the mission and ministry of the Eastern North Dakota Synod. Our prayer is “in all things strive to live together in the peace and unity of Christ.”
Servants with you in ministry,
The Executive Committee of the EaND Synod Council
Nancy Farnham, Pr. Lucinda Nygard Lien, Richard Persky, Pr. Beth Peterson,
Dr. Elna Solvang, Ron Twedt
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