Bishop Steps In After Death Of Mount Olivet Leader

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The Minneapolis bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is resigning to become interim pastor at the largest ELCA congregation in the U.S.

Bishop Craig Johnson will become interim pastor of Mount Olivet Lutheran Church in Minneapolis on Aug. 1. Johnson replaces longtime Mount Olivet senior pastor the Rev. Paul Youngdahl, who died last week of an aneurysm.

In a church statement, Johnson says his primary role will be "to build a foundation for helping the members and staff heal from this trauma and move the congregation forward in its mission."

Minnesota Public Radio News reports Johnson was the ELCA's Minneapolis Area Synod bishop for the last 10 years. He also is a member of Mount Olivet and served as associate pastor under Youngdahl for 14 years.

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