Doctor Martin Marty has been invited to speak at the Southwest Lutheran
Educators Conference (SLEC) of the Pacific Southwest District (PSWD) of the
LCMS in Palm Desert on Tuesday November 18-20, 2001.
This invitation to preach to LCMS Lutheran teachers is in violation of our
Synod's practice on fellowship. Marty was a member of Seminex and the AELC,
which merged with the ELCA in 1988. He believes the Bible contains errors and
does not agree that the Bible is the infallible, inspired, inerrant Word of
God. He openly advocates the ordination of women; participation in the Lord's
Supper with Reformed Church bodies such as the Presbyterian Church USA,
Episcopal Church, United Church of Christ, and Reformed Church in America;
agreement with the Joint Declaration On Justification between the Catholic
Church and the ELCA; and the adoption of Episcopal polity by the ELCA.
Congressman Dannemeyer of Fullerton, CA filed his protest with SLEC
President, Mr. Bill Roan. Roan refuses to give Dannemeyer the names of the 8
Committee members who made this decision. Roan informed Dannemeyer that after
consulting with District President Stoterau and Mrs. Klitzing, director of
school ministries for the PSWD, it was decided to proceed with Marty on the
program as a speaker and preacher.
Stoterau is a liberal District President sympathetic with Seminex as are
many of the pastors of the Pacific Southwest District. Rather than seek an
orthodox Lutheran theologian for this conference, Stoterau prefers that the
Lutheran teachers in his district hear one of the foremost opponents of
Lutheran orthodoxy, name Dr. Martin Marty.
The announcement from the committee reads:
"2001 SLEC Presenters: Guest Speaker, Martin E. Marty- 'Lutheran
Schools Are Public Schools'"
"Martin E. Mary, an advocate of religion-in-public-life, particularly
Christian vocation in the public world, will combine a lecture with a
homily." The announcement continues to give Marty's biography.
If you do not agree with the decision of the committee, please write and/or
call the Pacific Southwest District office and Mr. Bill Roan and let them know
how you see the issue. Mr. Bill Roan's phone number is 619-462-5241, ext. 215.
President Larry Stoterau's phone number is 949-854-3232, ext. 202, and Rachel
Klitzing can be reached at 949-854-3232, ext. 223.
Dannemeyer is chairman of "VANGUARD OF CONFESSIONAL LUTHERANS"
1105 E. Commonwealth, Box 13, Fullerton, CA 92831 Tel. 714-871-4318 Fax:
714-871-4221