Lutheran church elects its first openly gay bishop
A Lutheran from California makes church history: Guy Erwin becomes the first openly gay ELCA bishop.
On 31 May 2013, the Southwest California Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) elected the theologian Guy Erwin as its bishop. For the first time, an openly gay man led a regional church of this denomination. He was elected at the annual assembly of the synod, which covers five districts around Los Angeles, for a term of six years.
The road there was short but hard-won. Until 2009, pastors in a same-sex partnership were not allowed to serve in the ELCA; the ban had applied since 1989. Only the churchwide assembly lifted it. Erwin, professor of Lutheran confessional theology at California Lutheran University, was ordained in 2011. Just two years later he was a bishop. He lives in California with his partner Rob Flynn.
The decision only came in the sixth ballot. Erwin himself said afterwards that his election had been a surprise to everyone. Yet he was regarded as an accomplished Luther scholar who, among other things, directs the Segerhammar Center for Faith and Culture.
The election was a first in a second respect too: Erwin is a member of the Osage Nation and thus also became the ELCA's first Native American bishop.
The reactions varied. The organisation ReconcilingWorks spoke of a new, brighter day for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans Lutherans. Church historian Martin Marty called the step a turning point. Other observers said it was not really surprising, since the opening had applied for four years already.
The Episcopal Church served as both model and warning. About a decade earlier, it had confirmed Gene Robinson as an openly gay bishop, which led to fierce conflicts there.