Overview
The intent of this page is to highlight some elements and features of how religious philosophy and belief has been and is currently important to the extended Lindgren family and serves our connections across more than a century in Sweden and America. In addition to the copy on this page below, we will identify and demystify through posts how religion has influenced family members and our connections inside and outside the family.
Our editorial intent is to avoid proselytizing, or denigrating any particular tradition, or practice of religion. Accordingly as we recognize the Mission Covenant Church, its history and practices, we also honor a legacy of historical importance to many members of our family.
Readers should be alerted that none of us writing in this section are trained in academic theology. Those who have advanced understanding of ecclesiology or eschatology or other deep dimensions of theology are invited to comment. We have drawn heavily from the volumes of work published by Karl A. Olsson (Past President of North Park College, 1959-1970) in his 1962 historical review entitled, By One Spirit, and his 1985 (Volume One) and 1986 (Volume Two) compendium landmark writings: Into One Body…By the Cross.
We hope that what is written below will serve to stimulate input from family members. If you discover something we have missed or stated incorrectly, please feel free to contact us as we sincerely appreciate your input. Our intent is to represent religion and religious affiliations in a positive light.
Covenant Church
History in Sweden
A Covenant Church was formed in Sweden as a result of dissatisfaction with the traditions and practices of the Lutheran Church (State Church of Sweden) which was engaged in practices that included egregious command of local civic life by Bishops or Priests.
A number of formerly Catholic Churches in Sweden had been converted to Lutheranism following the adoption of Lutheranism by the Swedish King as an official state church (Statskyrkan). It seems clear that tolerance of alcohol consumption and even sale of potato whiskey by the Swedish Lutheran Church clergy was a driver of the splitting of of congregants from the Lutheran church to stimulate the formation of a Covenant Church.
For a time the Mission Covenant church of Sweden was second only to the Lutheran Church in memberships and number of churches. Although other church groups split off from the Lutherans, the splinter groups eventually merged and formed a Uniting Church in Sweden.
Although it is unclear as to the mission work from Sweden to North America, there was some influence if not actual sponsorship. For instance, we believe that the Mission Covenant Church of Sweden began in Iowa under the initiative of an itinerant preacher named Carl August Bjork, this happened with substantial independence from the Swedish church.
However, following the formation of the American Mission Covenant Church in Chicago, ministers were ordained by Paul Petter Waldenstrom who had traveled from Sweden. Accordingly, a link was established between the American Church and the Swedish Church.
It should also be noted that the use of the word Covenant in naming of religious groups was not confined to America and Sweden, as there was a Scottish Covenant Church. We are not aware of the Scottish church’s historical roots, or the influence on the Swedish Covenant in America.
Finally, a family member, Nellie Johnson (youngest sister of Amy and Obed Simon) married Ernst Anderson, an ordained Covenant minister. Together, they undertook a “mission” to Sweden where they served several congregations for 14 years before returning to Iowa to live in Lanyon. Ernst was tragically unable to continue in the ministry because a surgical procedure damaged a critical nerve to his vocal cords.
History in America
The American Mission Covenant Church seems to have developed somewhat independently from the church in Sweden although it is nearly impossible to determine the full extent of trans-atlantic influences. According to Karl A. Olsson, “the Mission Covenant of Sweden (SMF)” was formed/created in 1878.” We also learn from Olsson the following: “Carl August Bjork’s career as a preacher of the word began on Good Friday, 1867.” For readers of a more complete history of this you might wish to review Volume One, Chapter Ten, A Program Develops, especially page 133.
“The events leading up to the actual organization of the Swedish Evangelical Mission Covenant February 18-25, 1885, have been recorded in “By One Spirit” (pages 284-293)…” which we encourage readers to explore in greater detail. This reference is at Page 159 of Karl Olsson’s Volume One, “Into One Body…By the Cross”, Chapter Thirteen, The Emerging Order.
Carl August Bjork
A few words about Pastor Bjork as written by Karl Olsson in Volume One, Page 166-167:
“Of one piece with this kind of instinctive or intuitive action was Bjork’s frequent violation of parliamentary decorum. His unceremonious cutting off of debate to move the agenda forward, his frequent intrusion into questions under discussion, and even his tendency to let the “right” people speak created a legend in the parliamentary annals of the Covenant. But with all his technical faults, Bjork had an amazing sense of what would ultimately benefit the Church, whether expressed in the Mission Synod or the Covenant. It was this gift that kept him in the various presidencies from 1878 to 1910. Though there were many who wanted a more precise moderator, their number was never sufficient to unseat Bjork.”
North Park College
We are indebted to Jonathan Coss for compiling important information regarding North Park College, which was attended by many family members perhaps beginning with Emory Lindgren.
The College began in Minneapolis as a two-year seminary, and was subsequently moved to Chicago, where today it stands as a comprehensive liberal arts University.
The Lanyon Mission Covenant Church
Mrs. J. P. Burman Johnson (Johana Dorothea) made a notable trek to hear Pastor Bjork preach at Swede Bend Iowa, a location about 14 miles from where the Johnson Family lived near Lanyon. This trek included a dangerous crossing of the Des Moines River. She may have been instrumental in bringing the Covenant to Lanyon where a church was dedicated in 1917. It is our hope through this website additional background will be forthcoming from family members about this amazing woman.
A church near Lanyon was one of the first formally established Covenant congregations in America. The historiography of the church which was eventually built in Lanyon and dedicated sometime before 1917, is disputed. However, by 1917 the church held a grand reunion attended by over 160 people.
Swede Bend Iowa.
Mrs. J. P. Johnson (Johana Dorothea Burman Johnson) made a notable trek to hear Pastor Carl August Bjork preach at Swede Bend Iowa, a location about 14 miles from where she lived near Lanyon. This trek included a dangerous crossing of the Des Moines River. She may have been instrumental in bringing the Covenant to Lanyon where a church was eventually dedicated.
Other Religious Practices
Among family members there currently exists a considerable diversity of thought and practices. Contributions reflecting these diverse views, will be given careful consideration by website editors to be published as posts. Clearly there is much more to follow.