Minnesota Jury Convicts Former Christian & Missionary Alliance Pastor on Sexual Misconduct Charge

A Minnesota jury has convicted Bruce Douglas Konold, a former pastor of the Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA) church Eagan Hills, on one count of criminal sexual conduct in the fourth degree (clergy). The conviction occurred on September 9, and Konold is scheduled to return to court on November 22 for sentencing, where he faces up to a 10-year prison term and a fine ranging from $6,000 to $20,000.

The jury acquitted Konold on two additional charges of criminal sexual conduct in the third and fourth degree. A mistrial was declared on a fourth charge of criminal sexual conduct in the third degree. Online records indicate that 11 of the 12 jurors agreed with the hold-out juror on the charges that were acquitted.

Konold pastored Eagan Hills Church, a C&MA congregation, from 1997 until February 2022. An attorney for the church, Eric Nystrom, previously stated that Konold resigned and retired from ministry in February 2022. The allegations against him were disclosed in March 2022, and he was formally charged five months later, according to online records.

Clergy sexual abuse experts emphasize that any sexualized behavior occurring in a church context, where one individual holds more power than the other, constitutes abuse. Minnesota law further prohibits clergy from engaging in sexual contact with individuals they are counseling, which contributed to the legal proceedings against Konold.

In the court complaint, Konold described his relationships with the women as “adulterous.” He also expressed concerns to law enforcement about the church’s support for one of the victims’ current mission works, stating, “It was not right that they continue to support an adulteress” and referencing Scripture regarding adulterous women being “stoned.”

Konold admitted to having sexual relations with one woman over 100 times and with the second victim 19 times. These encounters took place at the victims’ homes, hotels, vehicles, and during a hunting trip, as detailed in the complaint. He also noted that one of the victims viewed him as a father figure and that their conversations were spiritual, given his status as a leading expert in world religions.

When the women challenged Konold, he began making suicidal comments and sent them photos of himself holding a gun, according to the complaint. This behavior highlights the complex and troubling dynamics that can arise in such situations, underscoring the need for accountability and care within church leadership.

Source: Read the original report