wfn.org | Arnold Mickelson Dies

[Brenda Williams <BRENDAW@elca.org>]

Reply-To: ElcaNews <ELCANEWS@ELCASCO.ELCA.ORG>

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

September 24, 1998

ARNOLD MICKELSON DIES
98-34-193-BW

   MINNEAPOLIS(ELCA) -- Dr. Arnold R. Mickelson, the former general
secretary of The American Lutheran Church (ALC), died Tuesday, Sept. 22, in
Minneapolis.  He was 76.
   Mickelson was coordinator of the Commission for a New Lutheran Church,
the 70-member group selected by the three merging church bodies to plan for
the formation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.  He held that
position from Sept. 1, 1982 through June 30, 1987, following the ELCA's
churchwide constituting assembly and the constituting events of the ELCA's
65 synods.
   He was the first lay person to hold several key positions in the
Lutheran church.
   Mickelson was first elected general secretary by the 1966 General
Convention of The American Lutheran Church.  He served in that capacity
from Jan. 1, 1967, through Sept. 1, 1982.
   Prior to assuming churchwide responsibilities, Mickelson served on the
staff of the Northern Minnesota District of the Evangelical Lutheran Church
from 1958 through 1961 and of the Northern Minnesota District of The
American Lutheran Church from 1961 through 1966.
   Mickelson was a 1943 graduate of Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn.,
and was granted an honorary doctor's degree by his alma mater in the 1970s.
   He was commissioned by the ALC on Aug.1, 1965, and remained on the
ELCA roster of associates in ministry.
   At the time of his death, he was on the panel of ELCA hearing officers
for disciplinary processes.
   Since his retirement in 1987, he served as a consultant to Lutheran
Brotherhood, a benefit society based in Minneapolis.  Mickelson was honored
in a special ceremony on Sept. 1 for his conscientious service to Lutheran
Brotherhood and for his distinguished leadership for Lutherans in North
America, where words of commendation and gratitude were conveyed to him.
   In a letter for that occasion, the presiding bishop of the ELCA, the
Rev. H. George Anderson, wrote: "To think of Arnie Mickelson evokes words
of scripture that became the title of Ole Rolvaag's famous book, 'Giants in
the Earth.'" You have been a giant in the Church of Jesus Christ for more
than a half-century in various leadership capacities.  In every arena you
served, your leadership always has been marked with grace and good humor
and the human touch that was a blessing to thousands upon thousands of the
saints of God.  Your churchmanship was extraordinary, your discipleship and
commitment has shone with the light of Christ that is so abundant within
you."
   The Rev. Lowell G. Almen, current ELCA secretary, wrote to Mickelson:
"I consider myself honored to serve as a successor to you in my role of
secretary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, especially in view
of your outstanding work as general secretary of The American Lutheran
Church from 1966 to 1982."
   Pastor Almen continued, "Your crucial contributions to the development
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in your role as coordinator
of the Commission for a New Lutheran Church helped shape a strategic
chapter for Lutherans in the twentieth century.  With a host of others
throughout the church, I give thanks for the blessing of God through your
life and work.  You are a true and faithful servant of God as well as a
precious brother in Christ."
   A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Sept. 26, at Central
Lutheran Church in Minneapolis at 11 a.m.
   He is survived by his wife, Marjorie Arveson Mickelson.  They were the
parents of one son, the Rev. Richard A. Mickelson, who was fatally injured
in April 1998 while he was completing his service as a pastor in Australia.

For information contact:
Frank Imhoff, Assoc. Director 1-773-380-2955 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html