Lutherans elect first openly gay bishop
A prominent Lutheran scholar and theologian in California will become the first openly gay bishop in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, a denomination that opened its ministry to gay and partnered pastors only four years ago.
R. Guy Erwin, who teaches theology and Christian history at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks and serves as an interim pastor in Canoga Park, was elected on the sixth ballot May 31 at a meeting of the Southwest California Synod based in Glendale.
“My election came as a surprise to everyone,” said Erwin, who limited his remarks to reporters in the immediate aftermath.
