2026 Presidential Nominees

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Rev. Michael Edwards

In 2011, Rev. Michael Edwards was called to pastor Good News LB Church (McAlisterville, PA) and was ordained in 2022, following further studies at Moody Bible Institute and Lutheran Brethren Seminary. He has served on various sub-committees of the CLB Eastern Region, and as Vice-chair of the Region’s Executive Board since 2021. Michael is married to Christy and they have two children and a granddaughter.

Rev. Mark Nienow

Rev. Mark Nienow graduated from Lutheran Brethren Seminary in 2007 and has served at True Life Church (Rochester, MN) since, first as an associate pastor with Rev. David Rinden, and then as the lead pastor since 2012. He has served as secretary for the Council of Directors of the Church of the Lutheran Brethren since 2016. Mark is married to Andreia and they have two sons.
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Q&A in Faith & Fellowship Magazine

Q1: Share how God has brought you to an assurance of your salvation and how he has continued to shape your relationship with him.
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Q2: What does the Church of the Lutheran Brethren’s vision to be a Disciple-Making Church mean to you?
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Q3: What is your vision for the Shared Ministries of the Church of the Lutheran Brethren?
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Podcast Interviews with Nominees

Daniel Stenberg, Heather Knutson, and Karen Stenberg had the privilege of interviewing the CLB presidential candidates this spring. Beautifully Woven is a podcast published by CLB Women's Ministries. Stream each of the episodes below. You can also follow along with the questions, which include timestamps for your convenience.

Michael Edwards

Intro Questions:
  1. (4:17) What do you believe is uniquely beautiful about the Church of the Lutheran Brethren? How can we better live into that reality moving forward? (11:11) What are our greatest challenges and needs? How do you plan to address them?
  2. (14:24) Can you share any examples of how you’ve successfully led your church to something new or through a season of change?
  3. (18:26) How, in your time of ministry, have you dealt with conflict? How will you help us work through synodical and church conflict in healthy ways?
Synodical Questions:
  1. (21:00) What is your understanding of the main purpose, role and calling of the synodical president?
  2. (25:34) How will you engage with the current leadership in our Synod?
  3. (26:42) What is your view on church planting?
  4. (28:55) From your perspective, what is the purpose of the Council of Directors?
Political Questions:
  1. (30:24) How do you view the role of CLB President when it comes to speaking into the political tensions of our world today?
  2. (42:12) On your church’s website, it is noted: WE ARE DETERMINED TO RECLAIM OUR COMMUNITY, STATE, AND NATION FOR CHRIST. How does this sync up with our pastoral understanding of our call to live as dual residents in our temporary homeland in the U.S. and our ultimate homeland of heaven?
Missional Questions:
  1. (47:43) What should the CLBA and its member churches do to call and equip more pastors, church planters and missionaries?
  2. (57:05) Discipleship has been a point of emphasis for a number of years now in the CLB. How do you define discipleship and what is the role of the synod in the process?
Theological Questions:
  1. (59:17) What are your theological convictions regarding the related issues of women’s ordination and women in leadership in our congregations? Explain your rationale.
  2. (1:04:09) What, if any, denominational oversight should there be in regards to women in ministry and how much of that should be left to individual congregations?
  3. (1:06:29) How do you express your eschatological viewpoint?
Closing Questions:
  1. (1:07:46) In What ways would you work to connect and build relationships with pastors, elders and churches across the CLB
  2. (1:10:18) How does the gospel make a difference in your life and ministry today?
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Rev. Mark Nienow

Intro Questions:
  1. (3:22) What do you believe is uniquely beautiful about the Church of the Lutheran Brethren? How can we better live into that reality moving forward? (7:12) What are our greatest challenges and needs? How do you plan to address them?
  2. (13:21) Can you share any examples of how you’ve successfully led your church to something new or through a season of change?
  3. (19:17) How, in your time of ministry, have you dealt with conflict? How will you help us work through synodical and church conflict in healthy ways?
Synodical Questions:
  1. (24:07) What is your understanding of the main purpose, role and calling of the synodical president?
    (26:26) In a few words, how would you describe your particular gifts, personality traits, and motivations to serve in this role?
  2. (30:00) How will you engage with the current leadership in our Synod?
  3. (32:35) What is your view on church planting?
  4. (35:45) From your perspective, what is the purpose of the Council of Directors?
Political Questions:
  1. (39:50) How do you view the role of CLB President when it comes to speaking into the political tensions of our world today?
Missional Questions:
  1. (47:20) What should the CLBA and its member churches do to call and equip more pastors, church planters and missionaries?
  2. (57:30) Discipleship has been a point of emphasis for a number of years now in the CLB. How do you define discipleship and what is the role of the synod in the process?
Theological Questions:
  1. (1:01:38) What are your theological convictions regarding the related issues of women’s ordination and women in leadership in our congregations? Explain your rationale.
  2. (1:07:27) What, if any, denominational oversight should there be in regards to women in ministry and how much of that should be left to individual congregations?
  3. (1:11:18) How do you express your eschatological viewpoint?
Closing Questions:
  1. (1:14:27) In What ways would you work to connect and build relationships with pastors, elders and churches across the CLB
  2. (1:18:25) How does the gospel make a difference in your life and ministry today?
Listen on Apple Podcasts
Listen on Spotify
Visit the 2026 Convention Page