Ordination Service

     Pastor David Johnson and wife Cindi traveled to Minneapolis for the ordination service of son Michael Johnson on October 10, 2010 at Faith Free Lutheran Church, Minneapolis, MN. He is their elder son who graduated with a Master of Divinity degree this past spring from the AFLC seminary. A number of teachers and friends participated in the ordination. Michael will be installed as Pastor of Chippewa Lutheran Church in Brandon, MN, on October 17, 2010.

     Michael and brother Matthew are familiar to the Zion congregation and have visited Zion yearly to spend time with parents Cindi and Pastor Dave.

Pictured (l to r) are ordination participants, Pastor Phil Haugen (Professor of New Testament, Association Free Lutheran Theological Seminary [AFLTS], Plymouth, MN), Pastor Dave Johnson (Pastor, Silverhill, AL), Pastor Michael Johnson (Ordination Candidate, to be installed as Pastor of Chippewa Lutheran Church, Brandon, MN, October 17), Pastor Greg Lenz (Pastor, Faith Free Lutheran Church, Minneapolis, MN), Pastor Robert Lee (Past President of the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations [AFLC] and Professor of Historical Theology, AFLTS, Plymouth, MN), and Officiating Pastor Elden Nelson (President of the AFLC, Plymouth, MN). The non-synodical AFLC is the fourth largest Lutheran denomination in the United States. The title "President" is approximately equivalent to "Bishop" as used in many other Lutheran groups. The Reverend Michael Johnson graduated from the AFLTS, which was established in the early 1960s to train biblically-trained pastors and Christian workers in the tradition of orthodox Lutheran theology and pietism.

Ordination Service, October 10, 2010 at Faith Free Lutheran Church, Minneapolis, MN. - Click each photo to enlarge.

Pastor Greg Lenz, Faith Free Lutheran Church.

Layman Les Miller, Former Congregation President, Faith Free Lutheran Church, reads Scripture.

David, Cindi, Michael, Pastor Eldon Nelson (President AFLC), and James Elieff (family friend) listen attentively.

Johnsons David, Cindi, and Michael participate in service.

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Home Pastor Greg Lenz presents Michael for ordination.

Uncle Al Johnson reads Scripture.

Family friend Pastor Ivars Krafts reads Scripture.

Family friend Jim Elieff reads Scripture.

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Old Testament Seminary Professor, Pastor Jerry Holmaas, reads Scripture.

Pastor Dave Johnson, Michael Johnson's father.

Pastor Dave Johnson brings the morning message.

President Pastor Nelson receives Michael's ordination vows.

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President Pastor Nelson receives Michael's ordination vows.

President Pastor Nelson receives Michael's ordination vows.

AFLC Church President Nelson prays for new Pastor Michael.

Pastor Michael gives service benediction.

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Mike at lectern.

Johnson family celebrates at potluck following ordination service: Aunt Sandy Schwamb, Cindi, Michael, Uncle Al, Aunt Cindy, Cousin Jaime, David.

Pastor Dave, Mom Cindi, and Son Michael, now "Pastor Mike," posed briefly after the service.