Anderson Elected Bishop of ELCA Southwestern Minnesota Synod

Chicago (ELCA)-JAC* — The Rev. Jon V. Anderson, 43, was elected to a six-year term as bishop of the Southwestern Minnesota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) during the synod assembly at Gustavus Adolphus College, an ELCA higher education institution in St. Peter, Minn.

Anderson was elected on the fourth ballot for bishop, receiving 462 votes of the 764 ballots cast. The other final nominee was the Rev. Lawrence R. Wohlrabe, assistant to the bishop, Southwestern Minnesota Synod, Redwood Falls, Minn., who received 302 votes.

During his acceptance remarks, Anderson quoted from the Gospel of John in the Christian Bible and added a prayer that his service to the synod be "faithful and fruitful."

Born in Glenwood, Minn., Anderson received a bachelor's degree from St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minn., in 1981. St. Olaf is one of 28 ELCA colleges and universities. He later received a master of divinity degree from Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn. Luther is one of eight ELCA seminaries.

Anderson is pastor at Christ the King Lutheran Church, New Ulm, Minn. He has also served at Atonement Lutheran Church, St. Cloud, Minn., and at Kinsmen Lutheran Church, Houston, Texas.

Anderson resides in New Ulm, Minn., with his wife Robyn Sand Anderson and their three children, Laura, Sean and Caitlyn.

Because the bishop's office is vacant, Anderson will assume his new duties Aug. 1. His official term begins Sept. 1. Anderson's installation service will be at 4 p.m. Sept. 27, at Gustavus Adolphus College.

The ELCA Southwestern Minnesota Synod has 139,699 baptized members in 279 congregations. The synod office is in Redwood Falls.

* Jessica A. Crane is completing her degree at Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn. This summer she is an intern with ELCA News and Media production.

Information for this article provided by the Southwestern Minnesota Synod office.