"Faith seeks understanding," So said Anselm, Saint, Archbishop, and Theologian. Saint Marks Visiting Theologian Program seeks to promote understanding among the faithful not only within the parish of Saint Mark, but also within the wider church as a gift to the entire Salem community.

    Since the early 1970's Saint Mark has welcomed more than twenty distinguished theologians into the Congregation's life of worship, Learning, and service. Teachers of church history, ethics bible, culture, art, theology, liturgy and sacramental life have enriched our community's deliberation on what it means to believe in the God of Israel and live accordingly. Moreover, our learned guests have engaged members of the local ecumenical community, including students at Willamette University, Western Oregon University and Mount Angel seminary.

    By means of visiting teachers, Saint Mark hopes to encourage lively reflection and faithful action within the Congregation and all faith communities, inviting broad participation in the program for the sake of mutual appreciation, growth in common understanding and service

    "For with you is the well of life, and in your light we see light" ( Psalm 36 ).

Visiting Theologians

2010 Dr. Stephen Bouman (September 17 - 19, 2010) - more information

2009 Martin Marty (September 25 - 27, 2009) - more information

2009 Bruce Bengtson, Organist and Clinician (June 5 -7, 2009) - more information

2009 Phyllis Anderson, President of Pacific Lutheran Theological Semenary (February 1, 2009)

2008 Bishop Gomez

2007 Bishop David Brauer-Rieke

2006 Paul Wadell

2005 Kelly A. Fryer

2005 Mark Brocker

2004 Dr. Eldon Olson 

2004   Ted Peters

2003  The Reverend Dr. Gavin Ashenden

2002   Rev. Dr. H. George Anderson (former Bishop over all of ELCA)

2001    Rev. Dr. Herbert Anderson 

2000    Paul Wee

1999    Gordon Lathrop and Ernest Skublics

1998    James Nestigen

1997    Richard Caemmerer

1995    Carl Braaten

1994    George Forell

1993    Charles Wilson

1992    Robert Smith

1991    David Belgum

1989    Robert Goeser

1988    Robert Marshall

1987    Thomas Blevins

1986    Robley Whitson

1985    Robley Whitson

1984    John Simmons

1983    Joseph Sittler

1982    Harry Mumm

1981     Raymond Olson

1980    Paul Noren

1979    Henry Horn and Charles M. Cooper

1978    Joseph Sittler

1976    A.G. Fjellman

1974    Kenneth Christopherson, Theodore Mattson, Donald Deffner