We have been so blessed by the response from our LM-A members and congregations, as well as friends and supporters from all over the world, as we prepare for our inaugural year of study at Lutheran Theological Seminary – Australia. Many people have asked how they can support the seminary, and the LTS-A Board has been hard at work identifying the needs of the Seminary and developing ways people can help.
We are looking for the following types of support:
Donations to meet the ongoing costs of running a seminary – such as rent, wages and consumables.
Donations towards the longer-term needs of LTS-A – specifically the purchase or construction of a permanent residential campus and the establishment of a scholarship system.
Giving of your time, care and prayers for our staff and students including caring for students and their families relocating to Adelaide.
Bequests to the Sem in your will, to bless future generations with pastors, deaconesses and church workers.
Over the next few weeks, we will share details of how you can contribute in all of these ways, so stay tuned!
Today we launch two important parts of our seminary support strategy: the Seminary Support Program and the LTS-A Foundation.
Seminary Support Program
LTS-A is thrilled to announce the launch of the Seminary Support Program!
The Seminary Support Program (SSP) is a monthly subscription-style donation program that allows individuals to contribute to the ongoing funding of LTS-A. A recurring gift of any amount helps us plan for the future and make more accurate projections of income for our budget.
This sort of grassroots fundraising is one example of the Body of Christ gathering together to do more than any one person could alone, and it is as old as the Church herself. Paul encouraged the early congregations in Galatia, Macedonia, and Corinth to set aside funds to be collected and delivered to the saints in need in Jerusalem (1 Corinthians 16, Romans 15:25-28). In the same way, your individual gifts will combine with others from our community of faith to make a lasting impact for our Seminary.
How do I contribute?
If you wish to be a Sem Supporter, simply sign up with our Microsoft form Seminary Support Program Sign Up . There will be a few suggested monthly donation amounts, or you may select your own. This is like a pledge card, informing us of your planned giving. Then we ask that you set up a recurring donation through your regular bank.
Is my donation tax deductible?
You choose!
There are limitations on what tax-deductible funds can be used for. Facility hire and other everyday operating costs are not included in the acceptable uses. If you are able to give without needing a tax receipt, your donation will be put to use right away!
Donations requiring tax deductibility will be earmarked for the LTS-A Foundation (more details below). If tax-deductibility is important to you, please select that option when you sign up. SSP donors who select this option will receive a tax receipt at the end of the financial year.
The sign-up form will direct you to the right account for your situation.
When can I sign up for the SSP?
We would love for people to sign up before December 11, 2026, so that we can establish a budget and have the assurance of knowing we can meet our obligations.
That said, people are of course welcome to join the SSP at any time in the future. The needs will be ongoing over the years to come, and your support is invaluable.
Ooh, are you selling those LTS-A hoodies?
If you attended the LM-A Synodical Assembly in August, or watched our latest SemVlog, you may have seen Pastor Michael and Deaconess Kathleen sporting LTS-A hoodies.
Patrons who sign up before December 11 will gain exclusive access to purchase LTS-A hoodies and T-shirts for delivery in early 2027. The Sem Supporter order form will be open until the 18th of December, and you can be on the lookout for packages to start shipping after classes begin in February. We anticipate offering exclusive access to merchandise on an annual basis, so anyone joining after December 11 will have future opportunities to purchase Sem items.
What are the other benefits of becoming a Seminary Supporter?
SSP members do not only get exclusive access to LTS-A merchandise. We want our Supporters to be active participants in our Seminary life and culture. There will be special Supporter-only news from the Seminary, online meet-and-greets with students and faculty, and more! Supporters will be added to a closed group on Circle to facilitate online engagement. This Supporter space will be ongoing, and donors can join at any time.
The LTS-A Foundation
We are also pleased to announce the establishment of the LTS-A Foundation, which allows us to receive tax-deductible donations [i]. We would like to thank Peter Walter, Pastor Michael Prenzler, and Alex Milner for all of their hard work to make this a reality.
This is a wonderful opportunity for people wishing to contribute to the long-term needs of the Sem. It is important to note, however, that there are limitations under Australian law on when and how tax-deductible donations are used. Donations to the Foundation will be earmarked specifically for scholarships and building initiatives. Your gift will be invested and set aside to prepare for the future.
LTS-A welcomes one-off or recurring donations to the Foundation. Regular ongoing donations to the Foundation can be made via the Seminary Support Program.
I can’t commit to monthly donations, can I give a one-off?
Of course you can! The Seminary Support Program is designed for recurring donations, but every gift is received with thanksgiving.
For one-off donations to the running costs of the Sem, please visit Donate to LTS-A — Lutheran Mission Australia for information.
For one-off donations to the Foundation, please visit Donate to LTS-A — Lutheran Mission Australia for the Foundation bank account details or contact Pastor Michael via email at MichaelPrenzler@lutheranmissionaustralia.org.au
My question isn't answered here. How do I find out more?
Please keep an eye on the seminary page of the LTS-A website. We will keep updating you as news rolls out. If you have questions about the SSP, please contact Deaconess Kathleen via email. kathleenmills@lutheranmissionaustralia.org.au
Remember that the LTS-A Foundation and the Seminary Support Program are only part of what we are planning, and financial contributions aren't enough by themselves! We will share more about the other support options we’re developing in a future issue.
We are looking forward to 2027 with joy and excitement, and we cannot wait for all of you to see the blessings that God will grant to LM-A and your LTS-A in the years to come!
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[i] Please note, tax deductible donations are only available to Australian residents. Donors to the LTS-A Foundation will be issued with a tax receipt at the end of the financial year which they can claim against their taxes. We encourage you to consult your tax agent about whether this is appropriate for your financial needs.
LTS-A will be located in the Adelaide Christian Centre in Sturt St, Adelaide in 2027. The Sem will use a large seminar room with attached kitchenette and storage area for classes and will have access to a chapel across the corridor.
