LOS ANGELES, CA — The Evangelical Lutheran Church of America elected its first openly gay bishop to a six-year term on Friday at an annual assembly in Southern California, officials said.
The election of Rev. Dr. R. Guy Erwin comes after the church’s controversial rule change in 2009 that allowed gays and lesbians to be ordained in the nation’s largest Lutheran denomination. More than 600 congregations have left the denomination since the change. . . .
Ordained in May 2011, Erwin said he waited years for the recognition and he brings a “deep faith in Christ’s presence in his church lived out in 20 years of parish experience blended with university and seminary-level teaching.”
Officials say the “partnered gay man” is also the first Native American to be elected. Erwin is part Osage Indian. Click here to continue reading.
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