To equip outstanding leaders for this mission, LTS will take the following as our main
points of emphasis:
1. Spiritual Formation
Built upon the foundations of Biblical and church tradition, utilizing a framework of
academic study and practical skill development, we define spiritual formation as a process
of being conformed to the image of Christ for the sake of others. As a seminary, we aspire
to
nurture our students holistically, helping them to discover and strengthen their gifts in
lives that are lived in dependence upon the Grace of God in service to God’s renewal of
the church and world.
2. Academic Excellence
LTS values academic excellence and pioneering ways of pastoral practice. Our education
actively promotes a “faith-seeking understanding” stance and seeks to honor the highest
tradition of Christian scholarship within the Biblical, historical, pastoral and theological
disciplines. We believe that such an education, done in service for Christ’s church, ought
to be done with integrity, compassion and rigor. In all of its activities, the seminary
encourages a creative excellence which is appropriate and reflective of the Asian context.
3. Proclamation of the Gospel
In the midst of a pluralistic society, we emphasize mutual respect and understanding of
other religions and cultural traditions. Yet, we firmly believe that only Christ, as witnessed
to in the Scriptures, can lead us to a full relationship with the true God. Therefore, we
emphasize training our students to proclaim the Gospel, in order to lead all people to
Christ.
4. Pursuit of Unity
The seminary was founded by Lutheran churches and we contribute to the larger church
universal and to theological education with our rich theological heritage. Students learn to
respect other traditions and denominations, to encourage mutual support, and to promote
Christian unity as a witness to the Glory of God. In the face of great disunity and turmoil
in the world, we seek to embody God’s Work of justice, reconciliation and peacemaking
within the world and all of creation.
5. Nurture of Believers
We believe in the priesthood of all believers, who bear witness to Christ, both within the
church and within the many spheres of influence in the world. In all of our activities, our
seminary strives to strengthen and equip women and men for excellence in service to
Jesus Christ, in their families and workplaces, as well as in the church and the society at
large.
