On Sunday 7 September, LM-A President Matt Anker and Pastor Michael Prenzler joyfully announced that Lutheran Theological Seminary - Australia (LTS-A) will open its doors for students in January 2027 in the Greater Adelaide area.

The announcement was made during an Adelaide Northern Suburbs Lutheran Mission service, where Pastor Michael serves as half-time pastor as well as his half-time call as Seminary Development Officer.

Pastor Michael explained the name and logo of LTS-A during the children’s address, and in his sermon explained that ‘the seminary will form pastors, deaconesses and lay-people to become disciples of Jesus and to make more disciples. They will serve the church and those who are yet to know Jesus, through Word and Sacrament, works of mercy and witnessing. They will bring Jesus’ gifts to you to forgive your sins, comfort you in your suffering and strengthen your faith in His promises for your eternal future.’

Since the beginning of the Lutheran Reformation, the letters VDMA have served not only as a theological symbol but as a confessional device and mark of protestant denominational identity. These anglicised letters serve as an acronym for the Latin phrase Verbum Domini Manet in Aeternum (VDMA) which translates as, ‘The Word of the Lord Endures Forever’ (derived from Isaiah 40:8 and 1 Peter 1:23-25).

It is a declaration that God not only transcends time, but He is faithful to His promises and will not abandon His chosen people. He will work through the history of Israel for the salvation of all nations, for all who abide in His Word.

In Isaiah 40-55, we see that although Israel had sinned and had been sent into exile in Babylon, the God who manifested His holiness by wrath speaks to his people as their ‘redeemer’ (41:14), creator (43:1), and ‘Saviour’ (43:3). The Lord who once freed them from bondage in Egypt pledges, ‘I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand’ (41:10,13; 43:1,5). God will bring His people back from Babylon against all opposition and will bring comfort to Jerusalem (40:1-9). Kingdoms can rise and fall (40:15-17). The Lord and His Word are above history and all human arrogance.

Today marks a very significant day in the history of Lutheran Mission – Australia. As we formally announce our plans for the formation of Lutheran Theological Seminary - Australia (LTS-A), we are looking to the future with confidence in God’s provision and His continued blessing as we seek to be faithful to His Word and serve the people of this country and beyond for years to come. From our earliest conversations regarding the formation of Lutheran Mission – Australia, we recognised the importance of establishing our own seminary if this new church body was to have a future. A seminary not only forms servants for Christ’s church, but it also safeguards the doctrine of the church by ensuring these servants are formed under the same teaching and united in the same confession.

Lutheran Theological Seminary - Australia is committed to in-person instruction which not only delivers the knowledge that is required to serve as pastors and deaconesses but also provides the environment for Godly formation within the community of faith. Studying and living in community is the essential seed bed that grows men and women for faithful service in congregational communities