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.

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 ...

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