Nadia Bolz-Weber installed as ELCA’s first pastor of public witness

The Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber, left, is installed as pastor of public witness Aug. 20, 2021, by Bishop Jim Gonia, right, of the Rocky Mountain Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, in a service at Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church in Denver.

The Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber was installed this weekend as the first pastor of public witness for the largest Lutheran denomination in the United States.

Bolz-Weber, who has often attracted controversy, is perhaps best known for her New York Times bestselling books, including “Shameless: A Sexual Reformation” and “Pastrix: The Cranky, Beautiful Faith of a Sinner & Saint,” the prayer- and profanity-filled memoir of her journey from alcoholic stand-up comic to Lutheran pastor.

She was called to the role of pastor of public witness by the Rocky Mountain Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, whose bishop, Jim Gonia, she said has supported her ministry since she first applied to seminary. Read more at Religion News Service.