A Letter from the Concord
- Texas website
Regarding PLI and it's supporters, the PLI website indicates that Dr. John
Johnson was guest lecturer at their conference on April 21, 2001 and Dr.
Andrew Bartelt was guest lecturer on June 21, 2001. In the past, I've noticed
other times when they have been part of their conference program. I simply do
not understand how these leaders of Concordia Seminary can leave their jobs to
work for an organization that isn't part of our synod. These people are on our
payroll and apparently don't have to report to a higher authority.
Even if PLI is paying for all expenses and their fee, they are not doing
their jobs and PLI probably doesn't have to reimburse the sem for their lost
time. Synod membership needs to know that these people are away from their
jobs, out doing their own thing. Can something be done to expose this
injustice?
I'm doubly disappointed with this situation because our pastor here is one
of the 25 mentor leaders of this organization, and tells us that PLI is
wonderful. And, we regularly host PLI students who are here for pastoral
training. We secretly send them $4000/year, but it is conveniently buried and
hidden in our "outreach" budget.
I hope that it might be possible to expose the Johnson/Bartelt involvement.
My sincere thanks to you and kindest regards to you and your family.
An acceptable loss, J. S. (A layman whose name was removed by the editor to
avoid persecution, since the CGers do consider opponents to their ideas as
"acceptable losses.)
Rely to Question:
This writer receives no royalties for "How to
Start Or Keep Your Own Missouri Synod Lutheran Church." This book is
available from cnmail@fidnet.com for
$5.00 plus $2.00 for mailing and handling.
Layman Likes Book
(All names were removed to protect to layman.)
Greeting Pastor in the name of our Lord,
I just want to say Thanks you! for your refreshing book! Our congregation
in right in the middle of this JF and PLI church growth movement..a replay
from years gone by... Our congregation, --------- Lutheran in --------- --, is
pastored by Pastor ---- ---- who is on the roster for JF and also enrolled as
a charter member of PLI...to make matters worse, our young 40 yr old Church
president is the President of the congregation...so, you have an idea as to
which direction Grace Lutheran is heading. The Lord place me on the church
council as the Chair for Christian Ed, which at the time I had no idea
why...now it is clear...Grace was very fortunate to have started two years ago
on a "by-law" committee..the job description was to change the
by-laws and constitution to keep up w/ the new times...the committee of 12,
and I was one of the 12, after two years of research and prayer, our
by-laws/constitution went the opposite direction that our President and Pastor
wanted...away from the liberal and moved back to the center, LCMS doctrine
& confession....As of June of 2001, Our pastor will represent our circuit
at the convention w/ a vote for PLI/JF....this has split our congregation as
was done in the 70's....
Hence, this is the reason I ordered many copies of your book to pass out to
our congregation, as they have already been introduce to Pres. Barry's
"the what about series." Question, would you be comfortable to
provide me w/ your "Bio", to accompany your book? The congregation
is very uninformed. A bio would definitely establish your creditability...and
that you are not just a laymen....
Any help would be appreciated in dealing w/ this foe....The 3rd week in
July our council meets to review the initial draft of the Bylaws...which will
draw a lot of questions/discussion and emotions...then September will present
to the congregation....Your prayer would been VERY much appreciated at Grace
Lutheran and to all LCMS congregations going through this aggressive movement.
Always in our LORD....----- ------"