Festivities started with a processional. Flags from various African countries were carried and choruses sung. The graduation ceremony took place in the seminary’s chapel. Rev. Mintesinot Hanfato led the liturgy. In the sermon, Rector Dr Heinz Hiestermann – using 1 Corinthians 15:58 as basis – reminded the graduates to stand firm in the faith passed on to them in the Lutheran confessions, to devotes themselves fully to the work of the Lord, and to remember the promise that their labour in the Lord will not be in vain.

The highlight of the ceremony was the conferral of certificates. Each graduate was called forward, a short biography was read, and their names resonated through the chapel as they were graduated by the rector and received their certificates from Rev Hanfato.

The graduation ceremony was followed by the end of semester prizegiving, and a braai for all who attended.

LTS has graduated students from at least 10 different African countries. This is only possible through the generous support of our donors. At the graduation ceremony, time was taken to express our appreciation towards the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, its Office of International Mission, the Saint Philip Lutheran Mission Society, the FELSISA, FELSISA congregations and individual donors, the LCSA, the MLC/LKM, and other regular donors.

We wish the graduates the Lord’s blessing on their journey, serving the Lord in His kingdom!

God willing, another 14 students will graduate on 24 November 2023.

The post June 2023 Graduation appeared first on Lutheran Theological Seminary in Tshwane.

The post Start of 2023 Academic Year appeared first on Lutheran Theological Seminary in Tshwane.

The post LTS at Mission Festival in Fairlands, Johannesburg appeared first on Lutheran Theological Seminary in Tshwane.

It also is the first time in 2 years that visitors are allowed to attend the intensives. It is good to have a full classroom again.

The distinguished guests are pictured with Rev. Mintesinot Birru and Rector Dr. Heinz Hiestermann.

The post First International Lecturers in 2 Years for LTS Intensives appeared first on Lutheran Theological Seminary in Tshwane.

Just a reminder: The other directors of the LTS are: Dr. B. Shole (LCSA), Dr. G. Rencken (MLC, Chairperson), Dr. H. Hiestermann (Rector). The First Vice-President of the LCMS, Rev. Peter Lange, has been nominated by the LCMS as their representative to support the work of the LTS. While Vice-President Lange is not an official director of the LTS, he attends the Board of Directors meetings. The Treasurer, Mr R. Gevers, as well as the current Student Representative, Mr. G. Masemola, also attend the Board of Directors meetings.

The post Farewell lunch for retiring LTS Directors appeared first on Lutheran Theological Seminary in Tshwane.

On Monday, October 25, the last week of classes before the final examinations of 2021 had started. After class, Rev. Nkambule and Rector Hiestermann started calling in the students one by one to give them the opportunity to reflect on the past year at seminary, and share the positive and negative experienced they had.

On Tuesday, October 26, it was the birthday of our Greek lecturer Robert van Niekerk. To celebrate his birthday, Rev. van Niekerk brought cupcakes to seminary – with Greek written on them, of course…

In the afternoon, the last LTS Board and Member meeting of 2021 took place via Zoom.

On Wednesday, October 27, in the afternoon, brass band practice took place with Dr. Manfred Johannes. Students are very keen and classes are going well.

On Thursday, October 28, one of the younger students, Mongezi Mabaso, helped some of the older students to prepare for a computer literacy test on Friday. He showed them how to work with spreadsheets. For us lecturers, it is good to see that students are helping each other this way.

On Friday, October 29, at Matins, we remembered the Reformation started by Martin Luther in 1517. Rector Hiestermann preached on Galatians 5,1-6.

On Sunday, October 31, LTS lecturers Birru, Nkambule, and Hiestermann along with five students attended the farewell ceremony of LCSA bishop emeritus David Tswaedi in Soweto. Rev. Nkambule spoke a word of thanksgiving on behalf of the LTS.

The post A week in the life of LTS appeared first on Lutheran Theological Seminary in Tshwane.

The post Continued Education for CLCSA pastors appeared first on Lutheran Theological Seminary in Tshwane.

The library building extension and refurbishment was part of a multifaceted construction project which was accomplished over the space of more than three months in mid-2019. The groundbreaking for the extension took place in early June. The main project was the extension of the library building towards the north and south, with much-needed space being added to accommodate the seminary’s holdings of books and for a librarian’s desk for administrative purposes. In addition, the existing roof was sealed and painted, as were the exterior and interior walls, providing a serviceable and uniform appearance. Carpeting was laid and new shelves installed, with study desks being added to provide students with opportunity to research and write. The LTS library was recently equipped with new computers and electronic infrastructure to enable access to electronic books and journals as well.

All of this is in line with and in aid of the overall accreditation project at the LTS, with the academic program at the LTS being streamlined to comply with the standards administered by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and the Council on Higher Education (CHE). Such accreditation requires not only that the academic curriculum conform to the set standards, but that the library provides sufficient learning and assessment opportunities.

As it is, the infrastructure of the entire campus needs to comply with SAQA and CHE policies. As mentioned, the library expansion was part of a multifaceted project improving the LTS infrastructure. Improvements include the paving of large parts of the campus, revamping the main entryway, providing adequate seating on campus, upgrading electric wiring in the houses, and landscaping the areas around trees and flower beds. Future projects include the installation of additional signage, upgrading the interior of the LTS chapel, and purchasing needed books. We are grateful for the ongoing support the LTS receives and pray that it may continue to be a blessing to the Lutheran churches of Southern Africa through the training of confessional Lutheran pastors and church workers.

LTS Rector Dr. C. Walter Winterle observed the dedication of the revamped library and campus areas. Prof. em. Dr. Dr. Werner Klän, having presented a two-week set of intensive lectures on the Theology of the Book of Concord, officially represented our German sister church, the Independent Evangelical Lutheran Church in Germany (SELK) at the dedication. Deaconess Grace Rao, hosting a women’s seminar at the LTS, was an official representative of the LCMS, our American sister church. In addition to the rector, Dr. Klän, Rev. Mbongeni John Nkambule, Mrs. Karin Niebuhr of the LTS Preschool/DayCare, Deaconess Rao, and LTS student representative Dumisani Mokobedi addressed the attendees at the dedication, giving thanks to the Lord God and speaking words of greeting and encouragement. After the dedication was performed, the new library was entrusted to the competent administration and oversight of LTS librarian Mintesinot Birru, originally of the Mekane Yesous Church in Ethiopia. Also in attendance at the dedication were numerous friends and supporters of the LTS.

Here follows a photo collage of the day’s events – in the knowledge that photos cannot do justice to the revamped campus. We invite all our friends and supporters to come to the LTS and to see the improvements for themselves! Thank you for your ongoing support! Please also continue to keep the LTS in your prayers.

The post New LTS library dedicated! appeared first on Lutheran Theological Seminary in Tshwane.