Synod Staff

Pastoral Staff

Bishop MELISSA L. STOLLER

412-367-8222
melissa.stoller@swpasynod.org

Seminary: Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago

Contact Bishop Stoller for:
Constitutional Queries
Synod Council Matters
Situations of Crisis, Including Misconduct
Committee Appointments
Congregational Celebrations
Ecumenical Affairs

The Rev. Melissa Larsen Stoller was elected to serve as Bishop of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod in 2025, bringing with her more than two decades of pastoral leadership, synod service, and deep commitment to nurturing the life of faith in diverse contexts. A pastor at heart, she has spent the last eight years as the synod’s Director for Evangelical Mission and Assistant to the Bishop, where she became a trusted bridge between the churchwide organization, ministry partners, and local congregations. Her experience ranges from rural Minnesota to urban Pittsburgh to international ministry in Moscow, each shaping her conviction that the body of Christ is at its best when its many members listen deeply, love boldly, and grow together in grace.

Bishop Stoller is known for her collaborative leadership style—one that invites curiosity, shared discernment, and honest engagement with both the joys and the challenges facing the church today. She brings significant experience in transitional ministry, stewardship coaching, and vocational formation; her service on community boards, commitment to clergy wellness, and training in religious fundraising further strengthen her ability to serve as administrator for the synod’s shared life.

With a Master of Divinity from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago and a Bachelor of Arts from Augustana University, Bishop Stoller grounds her ministry in continual learning and a belief that the Holy Spirit is always opening new possibilities for the church.

Administrative Staff