FARGO (AP) - Nine pastors have been nominated to be the bishop of the Eastern North Dakota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

The group will elect its next bishop April 5-6 in Fargo. The current bishop, the Rev. Rick Foss, has served the maximum number of terms.

The nominees are:

* The Rev. Philip Blom of Neenah, Wis.

* The Rev. Andrea DeGroot-Nesdahl, former bishop of the South Dakota Synod

* The Rev. Naomi Garber, an associate with the bishop of the Eastern North Dakota Synod

* The Rev. Harold (Chris) Hallanger of St. John and Bethany Lutheran churches in Hatton

* The Rev. Philip Larson, a chaplain at Bethany Homes in Fargo

* The Rev. William (Bill) Rindy of First Lutheran Church in Fargo

* The Rev. Jeffrey Sandgren of Olivet Lutheran Church in Fargo

* The Rev. Bruce Vold of Trinity Lutheran Church in Carrington

* The Rev. Stephen Wold of Trinity Lutheran Church in Moorhead, Minn.