2021 Bishop elections

With numerous bishop elections, we’re using this page to keep a running list of newly-elected Bishops in the ELCA.

Brenda Bos elected bishop of ELCA Southwest California Synod.

Region 2

Brenda Bos elected bishop of ELCA Southwest California Synod
The Rev. Brenda Bos, Glendale, Calif., was elected June 5 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Southwest California Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Bos will be the first openly lesbian bishop in the ELCA. The election took place during an online synod assembly.

Megan Rohrer elected bishop of ELCA Sierra Pacific Synod
The Rev. Dr. Megan Rohrer (they/their), San Francisco, Calif., was elected May 8 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the ELCA Sierra Pacific Synod. Rohrer is the first transgender bishop in the ELCA. The election took place during an online synod assembly.

Other synods

Paula Schmitt elected bishop of ELCA Allegheny Synod
​The Rev. Paula J. Schmitt, Latrobe, Pa., was elected June 5 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Allegheny Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during an online synod assembly.

Timothy Smith reelected bishop of the ELCA North Carolina Synod
​The Rev. Timothy M. Smith was reelected June 3 to serve a second six-year term as bishop of the North Carolina Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during an online synod assembly.

Lee Miller II elected bishop of ELCA Upstate New York Synod
The Rev. Lee M. Miller II, Buffalo, N.Y., was elected June 5 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Upstate New York Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during an online synod assembly.

Kevin Jones elected bishop of ELCA Northeastern Iowa Synod
The Rev. Kevin T. Jones, Mason City, Iowa, was elected June 12 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Northeastern Iowa Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during an online synod assembly.

Felix Malpica elected bishop of ELCA La Crosse Area Synod
​The Rev. Felix J. Malpica, Janesville, Wis., was elected June 13 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the La Crosse Area Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during an online synod assembly.

Dee Pederson elected bishop of ELCA Southwestern Minnesota Synod
​The Rev. Dee ("Diane") Pederson, St. Cloud, Minn., was elected June 12 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Southwestern Minnesota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during an online synod assembly.