“My greatest space for true re-creation is in the ocean. I try to paddle out five days a week. When I’m in the water, I’m part of an ecosystem that is vast. I can meditate on the power and beauty of creation. While I surf, I practice a ‘loving 4kindness’ meditation, which gets me beyond my ego self and reconnects me to my community.”

Rev. David C. Nagler was elected on May 20, 2022, to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Pacifica Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Before being elected bishop he served as pastor of Christ Lutheran Church–Pacific Beach in San Diego since 2015. Prior to that, he served as pastor/CEO of Central City Lutheran Mission in San Bernadino, Calif., from 2012 to 2015; pastor of Nativity Lutheran Church in Bend, Ore., from 2004 to 2012; and pastor of Christ Lutheran Church–Pacific Beach from 1998 to 2004. Dave served as a missionary with the Malagasy Lutheran Church in Madagascar from 1996 to 1998 and as associate pastor of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Encinitas, Calif., from 1993 to 1996.

He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Humboldt State University in Arcata, Calif., in 1986 and his Master of Arts degree from the University of Redlands in Redlands, Calif., in 1989. He earned his Master of Divinity degree from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, Calif., in 1993.

He says he sees the role of a pastor and bishop as one who inspires the community and practices servant leadership. He credits one of his lifelong hobbies—surfing—as a practice that helps him stay rooted in his role in the community.