Professor Pless arrives in Pretoria

 

Yesterday Prof. John Pless from the Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne [Indiana, USA] arrived safe and sound at the Seminary after a 15 hour flight via Atlanta. Lee and Pat Hoffmeier picked him up at the airport and after he had to pay an extra R500 plus duty on the theological books he was carrying for the course, he was glad to be back on South African soil. 

At the Seminary he took a quick shower, sorted things out in his room in Segoe-House and then came to our place to have supper and share the latest information back home and here. 

He is scheduled to teach daily from 8:00 - 12:00 on Catechesis before the lunch break. In the afternoon his colleague and our friend Prof. Detlev Schulz is to teach Lutheran Mission Theology from 14:00 - 17:00. 

Together they are an great team of Lutheran theologians and we at the LTS are very proud and happy to have them with us teaching the advanced course for two weeks starting tomorrow. 

May God bless their teaching and our learning to His honour and glory+

Gauteng Diocesan synod in Katlehong

Yesterday - Saturday the 27th February - the Gauteng diocesan synod met in Katlehong for day-long deliberations. Dean Siphiwe Danisa, who is the local pastor there, hosted the meeting for the first time as dean of the diocese and I feel he did a good job together with his team of chairman and secretary.
After giving his synodical report all other congregations also delivered a report so that a good overview and insight were given into the workings of the diocese. It really gave me a lot of confidence to see what progress is being made in the various congregations and how the challenges are being spelt out. It takes a lot of hard work and I am sure that it remains an uphill battle. However there are good signs of improvement and also a general motivation to work hard on delivery at all levels.
I feel we need to support each other in this and to seek for means of constructive engagement and partnership to promote the good work being done and also moving forward together and ahead in the Lutheran church.

We need to not only feel proudly Lutheran, but also show why we are proudly Lutheran.

Teaching men and women in the Church

Last week Grace Rao and Cori Wierenga taught our advanced course about the role of women in the church, about the role of deaconesses in this world and specifically in the church and also about peace related issues. Members of the LCSA Women's League were present, but also deans of the Church, pastors, vicars and a number of advanced students from Kenya and Nigeria together with some young women, who are eager to join the deaconess course. 

Ms. Grace Rao from LCMS World Relief and Human Care was here all along and gave a good overview into both subjects she offered. The lively discussion that ensued was well handled by her and I have the impression that it served the Church well, that this vital discussion between the women's league, members of the Church Council and also pastors and vicars took place. There were a number of burning issues, which needed the imput from all sides and sitting around the table for eight hours every day really gave ample time to touch most of these in a constructive and meaningful way.

Meeting Mpumalanga pastors

On Thursday morning before daybreak Bishop David Tswaedi DD picked me up at my house and took me along to the Mpumalanga Co-workers meeting in Thandakukanya near Mkonda [previously Piet Retief]. Driving for four hours in one direction gives ample time to touch on a variety of things. That was very necessary, because there are many issues, which are still outstanding and need clarification.
The meeting was under the leadership of Dean Victor Vilakazi, who is based in Thandakukanya. He lead the morning devotion, confession and absolution and also the celebration of the Lord's Supper. His sermon theme was: Jesus on the road with expectations ... He used the story of Jesus cursing the fig-tree. As a final feature of the meeting he presented a paper on successful ministry with 10 sections. Pastor Jacob Nkambule added some relevant theological criticism.
I think the future bishop of the LCSA will really have to visit his pastors, deans, congregations and dioceses regularly to establish good communication and constant interaction on relevant themes and topics so that the pastors are well informed and that a relation of trust can develop. I hope and pray that this will be possible and that the Lord of the Church will provide the necessary means, joy and competency to do his work faithfully!
Most of the pastors are familiar to me and I feel very much at home in this diocese: Pastor Mntambo, Mathebula, Nkambule, Kuhmalo, Mthimkuhlu, Nkabinde, Biyela, Lushaba and Mtshali.
Going back to Pretoria we drove over Amsterdam. However that road has also seen beter days and it also took us more than four hours to get back. Obviously the Bishop was on the road for another hour at least after dropping me off in Murrayfield before he could put up his legs in Mofolo N - if he went straight home that is. 

Ashwednesday

On Ashwednesday Pastor Joe Burnham [LCMS Rocky Mountain District] together with our longstanding colleague Rev. Musawenkosi Mntambo and the student of theology Mr. Skosana Thokane from St.Peters in Middleburg conducted the confessional service with propers for Ashwednesday introducing us to the lenten tide with the reminder: You come from dust and will return to dust!
Doing this together with my eldest son, who is attending introductory courses at LTS in New Testament studies and also in Lutheran Symbolics was a special experience.
In the sight of God there is no reason for either superiority or inferiority complexes. We are all sinners, who are justified by the grace of Christ alone, who forgives us our sins and restores us to divine kinship. Thankfully this gospel message came out loud and clear in the absolution, which was meted out with the individual address: By the command of our Lord Jesus Christ I as a properly called and ordained servant of the Church forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit+ Depart in peace.

Grace Rao has arrived at LTS

The Seminary is priviledged to have Mrs. Grace Rao from LCMS World Relief and Human Care [WR+HC] visiting for nearly 2 weeks. She is not only going to work with the local representatives of the Women’s League, but also give an insight about the workings of a deaconess program. She has first hand experience in this from Africa, India, Malaysia and also the USA.  We are very grateful to WR&HC for having Mrs. Rao with us in this precious time. 

Mrs. Rao is staying on campus and is making the most of her time. On her first day here she drove to Boksburg with the rector and shared precious information about the deaconess work in Kenya, India, Malaysia and Indonesia. Hopefully the Lutheran Church in Southern Africa can link up more and more with the Lutheran Churches  sharing this third of the globe.

Yesterday she visited Bishop David Tswaedi in Mofolo North together with Pastor Dirang Bojane and the volunteer Kianga Rehr. They also had time to drive to the Hector Pieterse memorial, the Nelson Mandela museum in Vilakazi Street and finally the Apartheid museum. 

What am I praying for in the Lutheran Church in Southern Africa?

Some of the issues which are on my mind and need special prayer besides the issues of faithful pastors preaching the gospel truthfully and administering the sacraments according to the institution of Jesus Christ to promote faith when and wherever it so pleases the triune God Father, Son and Holy Spirit:

1. Good cooperation, communication, planning and leadership in the Lutheran Church in Southern Africa at all levels and also with all its partners to go forward with faithful vision for God's mission for the Lutheran Church in Southern Africa - especially with 2017 in mind [500 years Reformation and 50 years LCSA]
1.1  Support of and good cooperation and effective communication in the Church at all levels, but especially with the Church office by the various dioceses and congregations of LCSA.
1.2 Unity amongst the confessional Lutherans in Southern Africa - especially for LCSA, FELSiSA and MLC - and concentrated cooperation in working for a unified strategy to move forward over the next years [short/long term]
1.3 Visions of hope for the Church, faithful stewardship and effectual planning/partnership [koinonia] amongst the confessional Lutherans to move forward united under the promise and help of the triune God.
1.4 Joint Project planning and strategy
1.5 Building team-ministries - like in the Arcadia Lutheran Ministry - where various language groups can function together under one name/roof.
1.6 Joint meetings of church councils, pastors fraternals, congregational councils and the various ministries/services in the congregation: Brass bands, choirs, Youth, Bible study, women's league, Sunday School, works of mercy etc.
1.7 Cooperation in the identification, development, support and maintenance of diaconic projects and programs in all dioceses of the Church [Works of mercy]:
1.7.1 Education and teachers for schooling from pre-school to tertiary levels making use of the previously Lutheran schools especially in Mpumalanga and KwaZulu - like Salem/Wittenberg/Wetterau or Lueneburg/Bergen/Titane/

Bilanyoni or Kirchdorf/Pella
1.7.2 Bursaries/scholarships for children in need to go to school, college and university.
1.7.3 Hospice and frail care plus mortuary and funeral services.
1.7.4 Retirement village e.g. Enhlanhleni
1.7.5 Deaconess program at Seminary and its implementation in the congregations.
1.7.6 Preferential support and development of single women and orphaned children in the Church
1.7.7 Alleviation of  poverty and suffering in the congregations
1.7.8 Health, diet and lifestyle practices
1.7.9 HIV/Aids
1.7.10 Orphanages and buildings projects - like Shongweni
1.7.11 Men's groups and cattle projects - like Ohlangeni

2. Manpower and support
2.1 Enough qualified pastors to serve the congregations of LCSA and raise the means to support them effectively on the long term [Medical Aid, pension besides a regular income] and their continual spiritual guidance and ongoing education/training/development.

3. Outreach and development: Enough qualified Lutheran missionaries and evangelists to reach out to establish new congregations in Southern Africa, so that besides the average 10 congregations per diocese the LCSA can move forward to start, build and sustain new congregations [2?] in the next 5 years. The Church needs to finance these mission projects reaching out beyond its borders to grow substantially.

4. Seminary support with staff, students, finances and cooperation on a regular and sustainable basis.

4.1 Cooperation with the Seminary at congregational, diocesan and church levels
4.1.1 by involving staff at LTS in the Church leadership
4.1.2 and also making room in the LCSA, FELSiSA and MLC for the positive involvement of students at congregational level.

5. Pastoral and devotional literature, sermons, catechetical and confessional helps/means for pastors and congregations. [Language issues]

6. Issues of Church Administration:
6.1 Effective and sustainable public relations: Registration of the Church, maintenance of reliable statistics, establishment of a Church office and center with competent staff.
6.2 Efficient administration at all levels of the Church, dioceses and congregations: Uniform forms, rules & regulations, structures and procedures, visitations.
6.3 Competency training and development of professional service and delivery at all levels of the Church.
6.4 Building and sustaining best practices in fund raising, accounting and stewardship
6.5 Best-fit of personal in the Church. Cooperation of Church, congregation and the candidate in the call process, but also ongoing evaluation, progress and options of change and correction.

New students at the Seminary

This year we have another row of firsts at the Seminary:
1. The first students to arrive from Ethiopia: Mr. Ashanafi and Mr. Daniel F. Esto
2. The first student to arrive from Zambia: Mr. Benjamin Kaumba.
3. The first students from FELSiSA: Christian Straeuli and my son Christoph Weber.
4. The first lady from Temba: Nogukhanya Shabalala
5. Although Mr. Eboro Madara is also from Nigeria, we have now the first student from there starting from the beginners course and not just topping up his studies. This is Mr. Simon Ishaya from Nigeria.
6. A Zulu student from Mpumalanga diocese of the Lutheran Church in Southern Africa is Thulani Hadebe.
7. We are expecting further students to start their studies with us from Liberia and Uganda. The Liberians are to arrive next week.

Here some of the beginners are seen together with Rev. Joe Burnham in the Symbolics class: Introduction to the Augsburg Confession.

Gauteng co-workers meeting in Naledi

On Tuesday the Gauteng diocese of the Lutheran Church in Southern Africa held its co-workers meeting in Naledi [part of the South-Western Townships of Johannesburg Soweto] under the able leadership of acting Dean Siphiwe Danisa.
A number of LTS teachers and students traveled there granting a lift to Rev. Dirang Bojane and Deacon Abraham Segoe [both from Mabopane - a township in the Tshwane municipality to the north of Pretoria]. I drove the 14-seater Toyota Quantum, which is comfortable and quite speedy for its size. Going via Krugersdorp we were quite on time, arriving at 9h00 at the Lutheran Church in Naledi. Pastor John Nkambule lives right next door and there is also a creche and some living quarters attached, which are hired out and raise income for this congregation, which was started by Dean Segoe more than thirty years ago. The Church was built in the time, when our honorable Bishop David Tswaedi was a vicar there - 1982/3.
The proceedings got off to a very blessed start with the Lutheran Liturgy of the Lord's Supper. We also had the opportunity for confession and absolution. Pastor John Nkambule conducted the service in SeTswana although he also gave us the option of using hymns in isiZulu and English by quoting the relevant numbers together with the ones in SeTswana.
Mr. Lucas Baloyi gave an introduction to the prison ministries in the Gauteng area. I was reminded of the good work the LCMS SID does in this regard. Perhaps this is a golden opportunity to share ideas and work together in improving these urgent services to people in dire straits. Obviously people like Kurt and Wittig from Wartburg/Kirchdorf could also be involved as they have made some valuable experiences in this direction too.I know that Bishop Tswaedi has a heart for this ministry too. The question is not whether there are works of mercy to be done, but rather which of the countless options do we choose to address most effectively.
Pastor John Nkambule introduced the theme of "fraternals" and got us talking quite animatedly. Obviously pastors have various experiences in this regard. It is vital however that we Lutherans make good use of our time and means to act responsibly to promote the true gospel at all times.
Pastor Nkambule also informed the meeting about the exciting prospect of starting a new mission endeavor with the MLC in a suburb of Johannesburg. Together with brother Christoph he is putting together a strategy to start of a new Lutheran Congregation there, which will work both in English and the vernacular.It is very encouraging to see young pastors, who graduated from the Seminary taking such an active part in evangelism and missions.
Deacon Segoe asked for clarity about the proper use of the "relicta" [Leftovers?] at the Lord's supper. It was suggested that Rev. Lawrence Mogoshane address this issue in some detail at the next meeting scheduled for the Monday after Quasimodogeniti [12th April] and which is to be hosted by the Seminary. This topic follows the one given by the Bishop on "The Altar", which was very well received at the previous meeting. It was promised in writing to those, who had not been in attendance at that meeting, because the importance of unity and agreement on this central issue was clear to all present.
A number of further issues and dates on the calender were discussed like the coming installation of the 3rd Bishop of the LCSA in Mofolo N. A lot still needs to be done and the dean was anxious that the pastors from all eight congregations support him.
There are a number of vacancies which need attention like in Kagiso and possibly Mofolo N - if the Bishop moves away from there. Thankfully Rev. Lawrence Mogoshane has been called to Khutsong to follow Rev. Paul Mosenogi, who followed a call to Gaborone in Botswana. Both Rev. Mogoshane and Rev. Dirang Bojane are to be installed soon and suitable dates needs to be found.

The meeting was very well hosted by Pastor John Nkambule together with the ladies of the congregation. We were comfortable and well taken care of. Thank you very much - Lutherans in Naledi!

Pastors Mkhize and Maleke were not at the meeting. Otherwise it was well attended and quite fruitful too. 

LTS coping with thievery again

A week ago thieves tried unsuccessfully to steal the Seminary car.  They gained access to the closed premises by heaving the electronic gate out of its hinges and then leaving standing askew. Although they broke into the car, ransacking it and disconnecting a lot of electric wiring, they were not able to drive the car away. So it was still parked on the premises between Segoe House where Hoffmeiers are housed and Schulz House where students were sleeping. So far so good.
The following evening my brother Gerhard had fixed the electric gate, but another bunch of thugs gained access. This time they aimed for the computers of our Lutheran friends from the USA. They stole Hoffmeiers computer fishing it through the window in Segoe-House and then had the cheek to climb into Dube House, where the Burnhams are living this Quarter. They stole their way through the bathroom and into the living-room, where they had 2 Mac's parked. Off they went with these too!
The story is not finished yet. On Tuesday Joe Burnham got a call from somebody, who had just bought his best computer at some store in Sunnyside. As all his data was still on the computer, he was tracked by the purchaser. Although a deal seemed likely, Joe has not seen his computer yet - even though contact was made. Perhaps it was just an audacious thief, who did not only steal the computer, but wanted a top-up by reselling it again to the one with the original loss.
The insurance has indicated that these computers are covered. However it is an angry issue and even a bit scary to have guys running around your house at night without any invitation.
This morning when I ran into the Burnhams and the Hoffmeiers at the farmers market both seemed  to cope quite well with this loss. They are good people in Lutheran missions. 

Attempted theft of Seminary vehicle

On Friday night robbers lifted the steel gate out of its hinges and rails at Segoe House and gained illegal access to the Seminary. They attempted to steel the Seminary vehicle, which was parked just outside the Hoffmeier's sleeping quarters close to the students residence in Schulz House. The thieves broke into the car and cleaned out the various compartments in the car, pulling out cables and electric wiring below the steering. However they failed to start the car and remove it. So it was still there on Saturday morning and the Hoffmeiers could still travel with it to the farmer's market.
Its bad and evil times we are living in. The evening hymns of the Church are a great comfort. Here's a verse from one of them: "Lord Jesus, since You love me, Now spread Your wings above me And shield me from alarm. Though Satan would devour me, Let angel guards sing o'er me: This child of God shall meet no harm." [LSB 880,4]

Teaching Prolegomena in Systematics and some Church Law

This year I am starting off a new Dogmatics course and there Prolegomena are the starting point. A class of nine students have started off. We are still missing most of the Ugandans - but they usually come in after some time, so we are just biding their time, but doing our regular stuff anyway.
My father's latest publication of the Zulu Dogmatics I is right on time to use for this course. Congratulations and many thanks to him for getting this done! We are hopeful that he will finish all volumes of this mammoth task. Sadly we only have a small number of Zulu students at the Seminary. However for Church and the wider context in Southern Africa this is a very timely publication! 
For the first time I am teaching a course in Church Law. We are looking closely at the Constitution of the Lutheran Church in Southern Africa, which is available in Zulu, Tswana and English. This is fascinating stuff! Especially because the fathers of our Church made such a good job of this a number of years ago. Perhaps we should publish this constitution as a hard-cover too!

Student representatives elected for 2010

On Wednesday the 3rd February during the regular rector's meeting with the students they elected three new representatives for 2010:

1. Abia Peter Anibati from the Lutheran Church in Sudan is the Student representative.
2. Enoch MacBen from the Lutheran Church Mission in Uganda is their secretary.
3. Gemah Ballah from the Lutheran Church in Liberia is their treasurer.
We wish them all the best for the coming year and all the support they need to carry out their duties effectively. 
The latest edition of the Seminary Rules & Regulations was distributed and discussed. 

New Year 2010 get's off afresh

Tuesday, the 2nd February 2010, LTS started the academic program for the tenth time in Arcadia, Pretoria. A decade in South Africa's capital has brought a lot of changes to the LCSA's way of training its future pastors. Perhaps the most obvious is that we now have students from Botswana, Liberia, Uganda, Sudan, Kenya, Ethiopia, Nigeria and even Zambia enrolled at this institution and that has moved the entire program to a higher level, because these students play a significant role in teaching themselves.

However a number of foreign and local teachers accompany this process of learning and education. On Tuesday two new-comers were installed at the Seminary by the rector assisted by our honorable Bishop David Tswaedi DD and our colleague Rev. Nathan Musawenkosi Mntambo. The additions to the Seminary staff are Rev. Glenn Fluegge from LCMS World Missions [previously working in Togo, W.Africa] and Rev. Joe Burnham from the LCMS Rocky Mountain District. While the latter is expected to serve for a couple of months only, the prior is keen to stay for a few years - if not longer.
While Rev. Mntambo lead the liturgy, Bishop Tswaedi preached on the day's prescribed text from Philippians 1,  27-30:  Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,  28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.  29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,  30 engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.  (ESV)