To All Our Valued Friends and Supporters of the LTS:
As we commence with a new academic year at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Tshwane (LTS), I would like to welcome all students and staff for 2018. A special welcome is extended to Rev. Dr. Walter Winterle, who has been appointed as the new rector with effect from 1 January 2018. Dr. Winterle’s impressive curriculum vitae (resume) and background is described elsewhere in the newsletter.
I would also like to welcome two new directors to the LTS Board, namely, Messrs B. Shole and Hugo Meyer. Also a hearty welcome to Mr. Ralf Gevers, who kindly accepted the call to act as Treasurer of the LTS. The directorships of Messrs Berno Niebuhr, Michael Grosse, and Reuben Dlamini expired at the end of 2017 and, as mentioned elsewhere in the newsletter, Rev. Matthias Albers also requested that he be relieved as a director. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all four outgoing directors for their support and advice over many years. Their input is highly appreciated.
As the LTS embarks on a new era under the leadership of the new rector, I would like to acknowledge the loyal service and dedication of the previous rector, Dr. Wilhelm Weber, over a period of more than 16 years. Dr. Weber was instrumental in developing the LTS from humble beginnings to what it is today. This was not always an easy task and the LTS is very grateful to Dr. Weber for his major contribution.
Dr. Weber’s three year service agreement as rector, which expired at the end of 2017, was not renewed by the Members of the LTS. Unfortunately, Dr. Weber did not accept a lecturer position in Lutheran Dogmatics and Symbolics at the LTS, as he decided to explore other opportunities outside of the institution. We wish Dr. Weber and Dr. Winterle well in their new endeavours.
Dr. Gunter Rencken
Chairperson of the LTS Board of Directors
