Guy Erwin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Right Reverend Guy Erwin |
|
|---|---|
| Bishop | |
Erwin in September 2016
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| Church | Evangelical Lutheran Church in America |
| See | Southwest California Synod |
| In Office | October 10, 2013 – August 1, 2020 |
| Predecessor | Dean Nelson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1958 (age 66–67) Pawhuska, Oklahoma, US |
| Denomination | Lutheran |
| Spouse |
Rob Flynn
(m. 2013) |
| Occupation | President of the United Lutheran Seminary |
| Alma mater | |
Robert Guy Erwin was born in 1958 in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. He is a member of the Osage Nation, a Native American tribe. He is an American Lutheran bishop. In 2013, he was chosen to lead the Southwest California Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). He served in this role for six years. Since August 2020, he has been the president of the United Lutheran Seminary in Philadelphia.
Guy Erwin is important because he is the first Native American bishop elected in the ELCA. He became a minister in 2011. This was after the church changed its rules about who could become a minister.
Contents
About Guy Erwin
Early Life and Education
Guy Erwin was born in 1958 in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. He has both Osage and European family roots. He is officially a member of the Osage Nation. When he was eight, his family moved to Germany. There, he learned to speak German. He also became very interested in church history and the Lutheran faith.
After returning to the United States, his family settled in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. Guy Erwin was the student council president at Sapulpa High School. He then went to Harvard College. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard in 1980. Later, he studied at Yale University. He earned three advanced degrees from Yale. These were a Master of Arts, a Master of Philosophy, and a Doctor of Philosophy.
Becoming a Minister and Teacher
Guy Erwin received a special grant called a Fulbright grant. This allowed him to live in Germany for two years. He used this time to do research for his doctoral studies. He also started preparing to become a minister.
In 1987, the ELCA was a new church. At that time, it had rules that prevented some people from becoming ministers. Guy Erwin began working to change these rules within the Lutheran Church. For many years, he taught at California Lutheran University. He also volunteered at a local church.
From 1993 to 1999, Erwin taught church history at Yale Divinity School. He taught about the history of Western Christianity. He also taught classes on important figures like Martin Luther.
Since 2000, Guy Erwin has taught at California Lutheran University. He is an expert on the life and teachings of Martin Luther. Martin Luther was a key figure in the Protestant Reformation.
In 2008, he became a full professor.
Leadership in the Church
Guy Erwin became an ordained minister in 2011. This was two years after the ELCA changed its rules about who could serve as clergy. In 2013, he made history. He was elected as bishop for the Southwest California Synod. A synod is like a church district. This synod covers most of the Los Angeles area.
As bishop, he was in charge of 126 churches. These churches had about 33,000 members. He also served on a council for the Guibord Center. This group helps different faiths work together in Los Angeles.
In 2018, Guy Erwin was given a special honor. He was made a member of the Venerable Order of St John.
In 2020, Guy Erwin was chosen for a new leadership role. He became the president of United Lutheran Seminary.
Images for kids
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Erwin in September 2016
