Lutherans install new bishop

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The Rev. Craig Johnson became bishop of the Minneapolis Area Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in a lavish ceremony.

He was installed on Sunday by ELCA Presiding Bishop H. George Anderson in a service at Central Lutheran Church in downtown Minneapolis.

Johnson, 54, becomes the leader of the church's largest synod, with 174 churches and 230,000 members. The synod includes Hennepin County.

Before his election in June, he was associate vice president for church relations at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter.

He took office Sept. 1, succeeding Bishop David Olson, who retired after 14 years in the job.

"Will you pray for God's people, nourish them with the word and holy sacraments and lead them by your own example in faithful service and holy living?" Anderson asked.

"I will, and I ask God to help me," Johnson replied.