Saturday, November 28, 2009

On the way to the LCSA Synod ...


A week before the LCSA Synod and I am anxious to see, how this will turn out. After nearly 20 years as Bishop David Tswaedi DD is stepping down. That is probably the story of this convention. May God mercifully grant a faithful, able and humble successor to take up the pile of work still left undone plus all those challenges, which face a confessional Church in our time and place. South Africa needs Lutherans and hopefully those few in LCSA [and FELSiSA for that matter] will be gifted with a Bishop, who will have the triune God's benediction and also the support of the Church to carry out his work faithfully, passionately and effectively. It is all in the Lord of the Churches power to grant that. Therefore I together with the Church pray: Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison and again Kyrie eleison! 
I am planning on taking my colleague Pastor Musawenkosi Mntambo along as we also need to present a report of the Seminary at the synod. We desperately need more support from the LCSA in future - both financially, but also in the form of students. We'll probably stay over there in Klerksdorp from Monday to Wednesday - and then we will hopefully be very encouraged to take on the future under good and able leadership.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Hymn for the Last Sunday of the Church Year.


1.     O my soul hear this and rejoice! 
Forget all your hurt and pain!
It's the summons of Christ's own voice

Calling you from death's dark vale.

From sorrow and all misery

You're to be saved eternally

Nothing has been heard like it

And it is to last without end.



2.     Day and night I have been calling 
To my Lord, the living God.

Just too much was all my suffering,

But he'll save me in the end.

As a weary traveller yearns

To reach the goal of his tough ways

So I too have long been yearning

To see the end of my sojourning.




3.     For just as the roses blooming

Right amongst those thorns and spikes 
So Christians are always dwelling 
Midst danger, fear plus all the likes. 
As ocean waves are always there,

Storming gales don't stop causing fear

So our earthly lives are also

Filled with threats and trouble more so.




4.     World and devil, sin and hell's fire, 
Our own human flesh and blood

Plague our souls with evil desire

Leave no thoughts of truly good.

We are full of fear and sore,

Hard lots press since we are born

Making life a sorry story –

That's the whole truth for far too many.



5.     Therefore Jesus Christ have mercy,

You are the only hope!

Draw still closer and then help us

For you only truly can.

Lift our hearts in faith to you,

That we trust what you're to do

Our salvation and your glory

Are the happy end of life's story!



6.     O my soul hear this and rejoice!

Forget all your hurt and pain!

It's the summons of Christ's own voice

Calling you from death's dark vale.

You're to see his glorious pride

Never ending on his side

Triumph, triumph, jubilation –

It`s your final summation!



2009 Translation of "Freu Dich sehr, o meine Seele und vergiß all Not und Qual ..." 1620 in Saxony. LKG 359 by Wilhelm Weber.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

New teacher at Seminary: Rev. Glenn Fluegge


Rev. Glenn Fluegge together with his wife Susan and five children have arrived in Pretoria, South Africa. Glen is a missionary serving LCMS World Mission, who is now stationed at the LTS for the next few years. He previously was with the Lutheran Seminary in Togo and will hopefully connect the LTS with francophone Africa in future.
Presently the Fluegges are staying in a guesthouse, Cindy Rodewaldt organized. Next month they are to move into their rental home in Lynnwood and in proximity to the Rodewaldts. Although their first week was quite rainy, wet and even chilly, we are hopeful that they will soon be very much at home in South Africa.  
Besides connecting the Seminary with francophone Africa and also with his home Church the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, Glen is to help us with the accreditation process and making our program even more conducive to training Lutheran pastors for Africa!
God willing his induction will be early in February 2010.
We wish him and his family all the best for their stay here.

Exams, graduation and farewell

That was the final week at LTS in 2010 ... and thank God that Seminary matters went as positive as they did!
Eight students graduated this year:

  • Benson Barahuka [Uganda]
  • Nicholas Bwire [Uganda]
  • Phenyo Mokgaimena [LCSA - Botswana]
  • Silas Mogale [LCSA - North-West Province of SA]
  • Bheki Ngobese [LCSA - Mpumalanga in SA]
  • Daniel Nkoyoyoo [Uganda]
  • Johnson Obura [Uganda]
  • Robert Wakiso [Uganda]



Six of these achieved very good or even excellent averages in their final year. That means that they qualify to continue with post-graduate work in 2010. However as most are entering the vicarage, they will have to do this part-time. Robert Wakiso from Uganda was the highest achiever with an excellent average all year round and nobody failed. We are very proud of these students. What makes me especially happy is that the present 3rd years also did very well overall. That gives me hope that God willing they will not only return, but do even better next year.
The Ugandan students have not seen their families for 10 months. So they were very happy yesterday, when I drove them to the airport in pouring rain. Thankfully Dr. Ralf Meyer again allowed the Seminary to rent his 14-seater Toyota Taxi with trailer. It was jam-packed, but nobody cared as they were on their way home!
Bishop David P. Tswaedi DD preached the sermon during Matins and brother Musawenkosi Mntambo conducted the liturgy. Mr. Madara Eboro from Nigeria was the master of ceremonies and did a great job of welcoming guests and visitors like Dean Sipho Danisa from Kathlehong/Soweto and Rev. Glenn Fluegge together with his wife Susan and five children. Glen is a missionary serving LCMS World Mission, who is now stationed at the LTS for the next few years. He previously was with the Seminary in Togo and will hopefully connect the LTS with francophone Africa.
After the graduation ceremony we still ate pizza together before getting down to the business of packing and stowing everything away for the coming summer break. God willing Seminary will reopen again in February 2010. In the meantime let us not forget the Lord's command: "Ask the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest for the harvest is plentiful and the workers are few!"

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Cooperation with Tukkies - Drafts from UP

Modelle vir samewerking tussen UP en LTS (Arcadia)        [Draft 1]

Model AKerklike vennoot = verenigingsmodel
Binne hierdie model sou die bepaalde Lutherse kerkverband [LCSA/FELSiSA/MLC] as mede-kerklike vennoot naas die bestaande amptelike drie deelnemende kerkverbande volledig as ‘n vierde gelykwaardige vennoot deel word van die Fakulteit Teologie aan UP. Dit sou die volgende impliseer:
a)    Vereniging”: ‘n Totale integrering van LCSA/FELSiSA/MLC binne die Fakulteit Teologie op alle vlakke en in alle verbande as deel van ‘n verenigde Fakulteit wat bestaan uit verskillende deelnemende kerkverbande. ‘n Voorbeeld hiervan is die status quo aan die Fakulteit waarbinne die NGK, NHK en UPCSA in ‘n verenigde model hulle kandidate vir kerklike bediening oplei.
b)    Programstruktuur en -inhoud: Die volledige kerklike opleiding van LCSA/FELSiSA/MLC vind uitsluitlik plaas by UP binne die bestaande graadstrukture. Alle modules word aangebied deur die Fakulteit Teologie aan UP wat die kerk se amptelike opleidingsinstansie sou wees.
c)     Personeel: Binne die bestaande ooreenkomste van die huidige deelnemende kerke word daar beding vir die gesamentlike aanstelling deur UP en LTS van dosente op ‘n pro rata basis na gelang van die getal studente van LCSA/FELSiSA/MLC ingeskryf by UP.

Model B Seminarie vennoot = federale model
Binne hierdie model sou die bepaalde Lutherse Seminarium as Federale opleidingsvennoot naas die Fakulteit Teologie aan UP mede-verantwoordelikheid neem vir die aanbieding van bepaalde modules. Dit sou die volgende impliseer:
a)    Federasie”: Slegs sekere modules wat deur die Fakulteit Teologie aan UP aangebied word, word gebruik deur FELSISA, terwyl ander modules binne die raamwerk van ‘n samewerkingsooreenkoms aangebied word deur die LTS. Suksesvolle voorbeelde hiervan word gevind, enersyds in die huidige samewerking tussen UP en die Africa Institute for Missiology (AIM), en andersyds in die “Pietermaritzburg Cluster of Theological Institutions”.
b)    Programstruktuur en -inhoud: Sekere modules (veral in Kerkgeskiedenis, Sistematiese Teologie en Praktiese Teologie) word binne die raamwerk van ‘n samewerkingsooreenkoms aangebied deur die LTS met toesig oor en akkreditasie van kursusinhoude en dosente deur UP. Hierdie modules word geakkrediteer binne dieselfde bestaande graadstrukture aan UP. Sowel LTS as UP neem as deelvennote deel aan die opleiding van FELSISA se kandidate vir die bediening. Dit laat groter ruimte vir LCSA/FELSiSA/MLC om binne die LTS se seminarium steeds toegespits “ministerial and spiritual formationvanaf kerklike kant by te bring. 
c)     Personeel: LCSA/FELSiSA/MLC dosente is binne hierdie model feitlik uitsluitlik by die LTS werksaam, terwyl UP dosente feitlik uitsluitlik by UP werksaam is. Binne ad hoc ooreenkomste en met goedkeuring deur die Universiteit by UP kan daar uitruiling van dosente geskied vir die aanbieding van bepaalde modules. LCSA/FELSiSA/MLC stel wel ‘n dosent beskikbaar vir die akademiese koordinering en – waar toepaslikook vir hulp met die begeleiding van nagraadse studente.

The Cornerstone in the Seminary-Setup!

Finally Pieter Wagener has asked the Seminary to purchase his house! All along it was the one, which as the corner-building on Arcadia and Farenden had caught the fancy of Bishop Tswaedi DD. Now after the other three houses in Farenden Street 345 - 349 [Dube, Schulz and Segoe Houses] were purchased in the past two years with the extraordinary help of American friends in the Lutheran Church Missiouri Synod it seems as if the Seminary is about to buy the cornerstone - I mean building. Then Seminary would have a block and everything from classrooms to offices and parking plus housing/accomodation would fall into place - and we would not even have to build anything! A Seminary cluster or cloister ... take your pick. Now we are praying that the seller does not overplay his hand and that we can get a deal, which will allow the Seminary Board to come to terms with the available funds and the required costs!

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Loehe on Service

"What do I want? I want to serve.
Whom do I want to serve? The Lord - in the person of his poor suffering children.
And what is my reward? I serve neither for reward nor thanks, but out of gratitude and love; my reward is that I am permitted to serve.
And if I perish in doing so? If I perish, I perish, said Esther, who, after all, did not know him who for love of me perished and who will not let me perish.
And if I grow old in this serive? Then my heart shall flourish like the palm tree, and the Lord will satisfy my with grace and mercy. I walk in peace and am careful for nothing."

Paul Tillich on "Certainty of calling..."

There are many amongst us who believe within themselves that they can never become good theologians, that they could do better in almost any other realm. Yet they cannot imagine that their existence could be anything other than theological existence.
Even if they had to give up theology as their vocational work, they would never cease to ask the theological question. It would pursue them into every realm. They would be bound to it, actually, if not vocationally. They could not be sure that they could fulfil its demands, but they would be sure that they were in its bondage.
They who believe those things in their hearts belong to the assembly of God. They are grasped by the Divine Spirit. They have received the gift of knowledge. They are theologians.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Graduation, price-giving and other celebrations

Although we are still going through the examinations, past experience teaches us that graduation, price-giving and other celebrations are imminent. It's just a matter of time before the joy these parties grant make us forget the hardships of learning and testing before.
The proceedings normally start of with a Matins service, where we expect Bishop David Tswaedi DD to preach and Rev. Musawenkosi Mntambo to lead the liturgy. Students sing their favorite songs and get an opportunity to speak their mind and voice their gratitude for another year at the LTS in Tshwane.
This time round we expect the following students to finish their fourth year of regular studies at the LTS and thus to graduate from the basic theology course at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Tshwane with a certificate:
  1. Benson Barahuka [LCMU - Uganda]
  2. Bheki Ngobese [LCSA - Mpumalanga Province]
  3. Daniel Nkoyoyoo [LCMU - Uganda]
  4. Nicholas Bwire [LCMU - Uganda]
  5. Obura Johnson [LCMU - Uganda]
  6. Phenyo Mokgaimena [LCSA - Botswana]
  7. Robert Wakiso [LCMU - Uganda]
  8. Silas Mogale [LCSA - North-West Province
They also receive a report of their marks/progress in the past Quarter, Semester and Year. There are normally three categories of prices at the graduation ceremony for every course at the LTS: Beginners, Main and Advanced Level.
  • Good fellowship
  • Best progress
  • Best achievement
Let's see, who are going to receive the awards this year. 
Hopefully all of them will be qualified for participation in the Advanced Course next year. Due to the numbers entitled to join this course from Uganda there are now serious deliberations to actually offer the Advanced course in Entebee or Kampala or Jinja as would suit the prospective candidates best. Its not only these five graduates of this year, but also Jerome Wamaala, Aaron Bamuwamye, Samuel Ogwang and Moses Wako, who have already qualified this year. So together there would be at least 9 prospective students from Uganda in 2010, making a visit there worthwhile.

After the official graduation/price-giving Seminarians traditionally celebrate with staff and members of the Board of directors. Then its packing the bags and leaving for the airport and off towards home, family and sorely missed love.

Jacarandas no longer comfort the Enlightend

Students are immersed in examination preparations. One down, several to go! Teachers are under scrutiny too as the achievements of our students reflect our endevours to train, educate and teach them. So it remains a stressful time for all Seminarians involved.
The old myth of the falling Jacaranda petals having decisive character in the examination outcomes is no longer comforting since its fallacy has been proven beyond doubt by the ongoing demythologization practiced at Seminary. Enlightenment has caught up with us here too.
Both Juniors and Seniors are being tested in the biblical languages. The first group is doing Grammar, the second are already into translation of the biblical text. The beginners are coming to grips with the introductions to the Old Testament. In this quarter the large prophets were introduced to them: Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel. The participants of the main course are doing Exegesis of Genesis with P. Don Cario and also Pastoral Theology. In Symbolics it's Luthers Catechism for the Beginners under the tutelage of P. Mntambo. They also did Homiletics with Dr. Glen Thomas, Exegesis of Jeremiah with Prof. Dr. Andrew Bartelt and Missions in Africa with Dr. Reijo Arkilla. All together a busy Quarter and high time for a holiday and relaxation with the family and loved ones back home.

Uncertainty rules prospective shareholder while hope lingers on

President Peter Ahlers of the Free Evangelical Lutheran Synod in South Africa [FELSiSA] has called into question the decision of the Synodical Council of FELSiSA that the signing of the LTS shareholders agreement was a mere formality.
At the previous LTS Board meeting the FELSiSA delegate Dr. Dieter Reinstorf proclaimed that the signing of the shareholders agreement was a "mere formality", but had merely been postponed to accomodated Bishop Hans-Joerg Voigt from the Independant Evangelical Lutheran Church [SELK - Germany], who's imminent visit to South Africa as guest of the Lutheran Church in Southern Africa [LCSA] at their coming convention/synod. This visit was described as a welcome opportunity to officially sign and celebrate the joint cooperation of the three shareholders of the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Tshwane: Lutheran Church in Southern Africa [LCSA]; Mission of Lutheran Churches [MLC - a subsidary of Lutheran Church Missions LKM/Bleckmar in Germany] and the FELSiSA.
With this committment in mind it was concluded to address the outstanding issues, which the LTS Board of directors had put off for so long pending the envisioned agreement.  Therefore this official statement by the FELSiSA delegate at the Board meeting was most welcome. At last the indecision on part of the "future shareholders" which had for so long severely handicapped the Board in its urgent strategic planning had been put off. Thankfully now it was clear, that FELSiSA intended to be a shareholder and active partner in the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Tshwane. The ongoing postponement had finally been overcome - so it seemed.
Sadly this euphoria has now been severely dampend by the latest retraction from the president of FELSiSA.  Once again the positive cooperation has been put on hold indefinitely. No wonder the newly elected chairman of the LTS Board of directors Dr. Gunter Rencken is eager to have this unsatisfactory situation resolved as soon as possible although there are serious questions, whether this latest obstacle by FELSiSA's decision makers is not indicative of their fundamental unwillingness to cooperate.
The coming conference is yet another step in the long march of over more than thirty years trying to achieve constructive engagement, cooperation and partnership from the confessional Lutheran Churches in Southern Africa in matters of theological training, research and education on this continent - nevermind structural organization and ecclessial fellowship.
From the bottom of our heart we continue to pray: Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison, Kyrie eleison!

Open doors in the LCSA for Mr. Eboro Madara from Nigeria

Another Quarter is nearly over at LTS. Two more weeks of final examinations and the students are off to see their families back home in Liberia, Sudan, Kenya, Uganda and Botswana. Eboro Madara from Nigeria is staying on and will hopefully participate at the coming synod/convention of the Lutheran Church in Southern Africa [LCSA]. On that occassion the LCSA is to elect a new bishop as regrettably, but understandably Bishop David P. Tswaedi DD is no longer standing for this office after serving as Bishop since 1992. No doubt this calling absorbs you totally and leaves not much else behind. I believe it's what the Lord of the Church talks about, when he addresses the issue of gaining and losing life. The office of the ministry is an all-encompassing calling - service of His people, because we love him - and it's a blessed and most wholesome opportunity. Well, and then Madara might also witness the ordination of the Sebeelo brothers in Gabarone, Botswana early in December. That is after the 2nd examination they are to go through under the supervision of their supervisors from MLC/LCSA. After Christmas our candidate from Nigeria is welcome for the first month in the new year 2010 to observe the workings in Shongweni with Dean Mandla Twala from the LCSA.  I hope that these insights behind the scenes will not only benefit Mr. Eboro personally, but also strengthen the ties between the Lutheran Churches in Nigeria and South Africa. All these things are under the clause of St. James: If the Lord is willing and we are alive then this and that will happen ...

Monday, November 2, 2009

Just a minute: Morning Matins

1.Cor 9,24-27 prescribed for Monday after All Saints ...

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Theme of the week: Spiritual Armor Hymn of the day: LSB 664; Introit: Ps.97; Reading from the Lectionary in LSB: Jer.1,1-19

Watchword from 2.Ti 2,5: "... if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules"

The Soccer World cup is coming. Excitement is spreading. The German soccer-team is to come with Bulletproof vests. That's quite funny and so the joke is on them. Just read Hayibo.com.

Well, the idea of athletes competing is as old as civilization. Even if we don't want to go back as far as Cain & Abel, St. Paul knows all about it. Writing to the Greeks in Corinth about Athletics and Olympics and Training and Crowns and Prizes is like trying to explain Rugby to the Blue Bulls. They knew all about it. However St. Paul is not interested so much about Rugby, Soccer or Athletics for that matter. He uses it as a picture for the christian way of life.

  1. Running for a goal
    • Price - crown - certificate - medal
    • crown that lasts forever: Eternal salvation!
    • Being with Christ forever
  2. Losing track and missing the plot
    • Classical figure of Don Quichote fighting windmills
    • Santana - Peirera [Allies in Iraq/Afghanistan/Pakistan fighting Al Qaida]
    • Idea of doping: Lance Armstrong - Jan Ulrich
    • Disqualification: Semenya Caster
    • Students at Seminary - Pastors in the ministry - Christians in congregations
  3. Training gets you on track
    • Doing what it takes... Calculating the cost, running the extra mile, planning ...
    • Dedication - focus - Diet/fasting - prayer - reading/listening/learning - hard work
    • Proper equipment/tools/kit
    • Fasting/say "No" - Less is more
  4. There are special rules in this race
    • Look up to Jesus as the "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith..." Heb 12,2
    • cf. Phil.3,7-11
    • More winners than losers for Christ's sake