Brenda Bos, Glendale, Calif., was elected June 5 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Southwest California Synod of the ELCA. Bos will be the first openly lesbian bishop in the ELCA. The election took place during an online synod assembly.
Bos was elected on the fifth ballot, with 160 votes. Albert Starr, senior adviser for ELCA ethnic diversity, received 109 votes.
The bishop-elect has served as assistant to the bishop for rostered leadership in the Southwest California Synod since 2019. Prior to that Bos served as pastor of Christ Lutheran Church in San Clemente, Calif., from 2014 to 2019. She also served as pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Canoga Park, Calif. and as vicar of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Santa Monica, Calif. Before entering ministry, Bos worked in production for Warner Bros. Television.
