Lewis accepts Minneapolis call

Craig J. Lewis, a Chicago clergyman-banker and former assistant to the ELCA bishop, accepted a call to become senior pastor of Central Lutheran, a 4,000-member downtown Minneapolis congregation.

Lewis, 51, was president and chief executive officer of Shorebank Neighborhood Institute, Chicago, where he administered programs in community development, job training and neighborhood stabilization.

Previously he was assistant to former ELCA Bishop Herbert W. Chilstrom, and earlier served as executive director of the ELCA Commission for Multicultural Ministries.

Central's call committee unanimously recommended Lewis "with joy and thanksgiving" after nearly 60 meetings. Lewis said he was "excited by Central's tradition of progressive, visionary thinking and planning for the ministry of the gospel."