Los Angeles, CA – Reverend Dr. R. Guy Erwin was elected as the first openly bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Erwin, who is also the church’s first Native American bishop, was elected Friday, May 31, by the Southwest California synod, an area that covers the greater Los Angeles area. Erwin is currently a pastor at Faith Lutheran Church in Canoga Park, and also teaches religion and history at California Lutheran University. Erwin works on the board of Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries, a supporter of LGBT pastors, and is part of Proclaim, an association of LGBT Lutheran pastors.  The board’s executive director, Amalia Vagts, says, “This is a great day for the Southwest California Synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. [He]‘s a wonderful leader from the LGBTQ and Native American communities.”