AN INITIATIVE OF THE LUTHERAN CHURCH OF AUSTRALIA, VICTORIAN DISTRICT
AN INITIATIVE OF THE LUTHERAN CHURCH OF AUSTRALIA, VICTORIAN DISTRICT
Short courses to help you:
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Courses are delivered by Pastors, trained laypeople, and subject specialists.
On the right are some initial reactions to the courses that LST offers.
(See the Contacts section to get more information about courses.)
Please feel very welcome to contact LST in any of the ways listed on the right.
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The Lutheran School of Theology (LST) is a venture of the Lutheran Church in Victoria, Australia. It provides a wide and growing variety of short courses. The basis of all teaching at LST is God's Word. This school is faithful to the teachings of the Lutheran Church of Australia.
LST is for people of all ages and walks of life.
It's a place for young adults to explore future directions.
It's a place where older adults can find new directions for service after retirement.
It's a place to be refreshed and renewed in your busy life.
Most of all, it's a place to explore life's big questions in the company of other Christians. Students from all denominations are welcome.
Courses are delivered by Pastors, trained laypeople, and subject specialists.
While LST has the support of the Lutheran Church of Australia, our courses are not formally accredited by any other state or church institution.
Some of our courses offer local certification after you have met the appropriate requirements. You may also choose to take subjects (including those from certificate courses) just for personal growth.
Lectures are held throughout metropolitan Melbourne, mostly in local churches.
There is also scope for units to be taught in regional centres in Victoria (contact us to discuss your needs).
The LST administrative centre is at the Lutheran Church District Office, 755 Station Street, Box Hill.
LST offers the areas of study listed in the panel on the left. You may pursue these either for personal spiritual formation, or to better equip yourself for more effective service in family, church, and community.
To graduate with a Certificate in Church Life, you will normally complete four units from your chosen area of study, one of which must be the core unit 1 of Lutheran Theology.
You are also welcome to select units from different courses to complete a general Certificate, as long as you include Lutheran Theology as one of your subjects.
For further details, please click on one of the courses on the left.
Lutheran Theology gives an overview of the central teachings of the Christian faith as found in the Bible and as confessed by the Lutheran Church.
Emphasis is placed on the practical nature of theology, especially on its power to deepen our understanding of God's grace in Christ Jesus, and on its encouragement to us to live out our Christian freedom in love for others.
Attention is paid to the way that the study of theology rightly leads to true praise of the Triune God.
People have always looked for answers to questions of meaning, identity and purpose. Christians believe that God gives us the key answers, especially in revealing His love for us in Jesus.
This subject is designed to give an overview of the central teachings of the Christian faith as found in the Bible and as confessed by the Lutheran Church. Emphasis will be placed on the practical nature of theology, as we live out our Christian vocation in love for others. This is an excellent chance for you to bring a friend who has questions about the Lutheran Church, or to refresh and deepen your understanding of the basic teachings of the church.
Course outline:
In this course, we will be looking at the different confessions of faith that we subscribe to as Lutheran Christians, and that are collected together in The Book of Concord. We will be thinking about the significance of having clear and publicly accessible documents that spell out in some detail our confession of Jesus as Lord. We will also be considering the historical circumstances in which the different confessions were first made, and how making these confessions our own can help us develop a richer worship life, and more joyful and thoughtful relationships with family, friends, workmates, and people of other Christian churches (or other beliefs).
The Hammer of God:, a three-part novel by a Swedish Lutheran bishop, Bo Giertz, has been read and appreciated by many thousands of Christians since it was first published over 40 years ago. Its popularity and appeal is that, like no other piece of writing, it gives a picture of what the Gospel of Jesus Christ looks like as it is lived out and applied to the lives of ordinary people of faith. In a fresh style, it shows how God's law and God's grace need to be rightly distinguished in the life of the believer. It is no exaggeration to say that this book has changed many people's lives. The book will be available for purchase at the opening session in the series.
Here is your chance to read the Bible!
This course is designed to give an overview of both the Old and New Testaments, and how they relate to each other and proclaim Christ. It gives practical help in how to read the Bible, and also looks at major themes of Scripture and how the Bible relates to daily life.
This unit gives you sound practical tools for reading and understanding the Bible in its context, and interpreting it in life and work.
This unit looks at the books of the Old Testament and shows how they are deeply connected with the person and work of Jesus, examining several key passages and themes which illustrate how the Bible is one integrated whole.
This unit explores the background, content and meaning of the five Gospels, paying special attention to the central importance of Jesus' death and resurrection.
How did the Christian church begin and grow, from its early days as an underground group of 'Christ followers' in Jerusalem to a movement which spread through the Roman Empire and beyond? Through a study of the Biblical book of Acts, relive the drama and adventure of the first apostles and the early church as they took the Gospel into the world, often into hostile territory, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Have you ever read other people's mail? You do this every Sunday when the New Testament epistles are read. Here's your chance to read them as documents which give us an insight into the life of the early church and the lives of the people in the first century. Mission, ministry, theology, heresy and scandal ... just like today. All is revealed in these letters.
Dont you wonder how it will all end?
Did you think that Revelation is the only book in the New Testament to deal with the end of the world and the coming judgement? Well think again! Numerous NT writers and even Jesus himself said a great deal about the end times. Come and join us as we explore the New Testament for glimpses of the apocalypse!
This stream looks at the story of the church and how it lives alongside the different cultures in which it is found.
A Cook's Tour through church history, through two millenia including a brief look at the the story of the Lutheran Church in Australia.
How do we relate to other belief systems? Are we threatened, or indifferent?
How can we nurture the Christian faith in our families?
The culture around us embodies many "-isms". Most of the time, we are unaware of the assumptions that underlie our daily lives. We'll explore the Christian stance in contemporary culture.
Our Lord calls us to live as wise and holy people in this world. What does this mean for us as we face all of the perplexing concerns of daily life in the modern world? Where do we go for guidance? How do we interact with contemporary views about right and wrong? What are my rights? What are my responsibilities towards society and my neighbour, and how should we as Christians interact with unbelievers and the secular authorities? And how do the mercy and grace of God fit into the ethical decisions we make?
A Christian Consideration of Contemporary Art. This absorbing course is based on first hand experience, both in creating art and visiting major galleries – NGV Australian, NGV International, and ACCA – Australian Centre for Contemporary Art. The interested novice is sensitively introduced to the often confusing, and even scary, world of contemporary art. By asking big questions such as "What is art? What does today's art have to do with me? Where do Christian faith and art intersect? Where are all the 'real' paintings?" and more, progress is made in redeeming art for daily use and personal engagement.
This unit is an open discussion on evolving models of church in the 21st century. 'Third space' thinkers and theologians in a post-Christian world speak of the church as communitas — a community on the edge of society. Explore the roots of the concept of 'parish' and 'parishioner' and be surprised at what is uncovered as we seek to understand what Scripture means when it refers to our 'life in exile' (1 Peter 1:17). Discover the ways these thinkers can help us carry out the mission and ministry of the church in this century.
We live in a vastly different Melbourne from just a few decades ago, in a richly diverse community of many cultures and many religions and even many Christian denominations. How do we approach this diversity — with fear, curiosity or tolerance? Are all religions after all, 'heading to the same place'? Is the Bible the only source of truth? How do we relate to and work with other religions without offense? What can we expect of our government in this multi-religious world?
Pastor Cecil will make specific reference to other religions where appropriate, while covering a broad range of issues over 7 sessions.
datesWednesdays July 30, August 6, 13, 20, 27, and September 3, 10
time 7.30 – 9pm
lecturer Pastor Cecil Schmalkuche
Cecil is a pastor in Footscray, in the centre of a multi-religious inner city community.
location St John's, City Rd, Southgate (take the train or use free parking facilities underneath)
cost$50
enrolTo enrol in this unit, please contact LST through any of the methods listed on our Contact page
We can live and celebrate our baptismal identity in many ways, involving different senses and a wide variety of media.
This course enhances appreciation of art in its many forms, and enables participants to use creative arts in public worship and in personal devotion to express their faith and give glory to God.
A Christian Consideration of Contemporary Art. This absorbing course is based on first hand experience, both in creating art and visiting major galleries – NGV Australian, NGV International, and ACCA – Australian Centre for Contemporary Art. The interested novice is sensitively introduced to the often confusing, and even scary, world of contemporary art. By asking big questions such as "What is art? What does today's art have to do with me? Where do Christian faith and art intersect? Where are all the 'real' paintings?" and more, progress is made in redeeming art for daily use and personal engagement.
This unit explores the use of the creative arts in worship. It will work through the preparation of a church setting for a celebration of a theme, using flowers, candles, incense, foliage, cloth, everyday items, and various found objects. The group will prepare and present an innovative service on a theme.
Worship is a central part of the Church's life, and within that, music has an important role.
This course explores what Lutheran worship is, and provides practical resources and training to facilitate excellence in worship and music in your congregation.
What happens when a congregation gathers for worship? This unit explores the Biblical foundations of worship and provides a step-by-step guide to the liturgy. The roles of scripture, preaching, music, and the sacraments in worship are also explored and discussed. This unit will be taught as part of the Lutheran Theology stream.
Would you like to gain more understanding, direction, clarity and purpose for your life? Focused Living is a powerful discovery process that uses reflection on your own life and the Scriptures to provide a framework for your ongoing personal planning and vocational application.
This course has been abridged especially for LST, and in six sessions will cover the three main parts of a Christian personal development process:
The sessions will include an introduction to each phase of the process and some in-session personal reflections, and at-home assignments will deepen participants' application of essential features of the process.
datesTuesdays July 22, 29, and August 5, 12, 19, 26
time7.30 – 9.15pm
lecturerPastor Allan Heppner
Victorian District Pastor for Congregational Support.
location District Offices, 755 Station St, Box Hill
cost$50
enrolTo enrol in this unit, please contact LST through any of the methods listed on our Contact page
Pastoral Care is a key means through which God becomes flesh and real for people in all areas of life, especially in time of need. The primary means through which love and healing are received is through relationships — between self, God, and others.
Units on offer include the Theology of Pastoral Care; situations involving Pastoral Care such as hospitals and sickness, aging and dying, grief and caring; and skills such as listening, awareness, and use of prayer and scripture. The course includes both course work and practical experience.
This subject is designed specifically for anyone involved in caring for others, such as pastoral assistants, lay visitors, teachers, small group leaders or congregational leaders/elders. It will cover the following topics:
The intention is to explore the basics of what happens in a pastoral encounter, and enable more sensitive and appropriate care.
This unit builds on Pastoral Care unit 1 (above), but it is not necessary to have completed that unit to enrol in this one.
The four sessions in this unit are:
For Christians, "spirituality" is about the work of the Holy Spirit. It is his work to create faith, help us attend to God, and make us fit to share in God's holiness.
In this course, we study the biblical foundations of such practices as prayer and meditation, explore the traditions of Christian spirituality, and learn how the Holy Spirit continues his transforming work in us.
The early church developed rich traditions of lived spiritual practice and contemplative prayer, solidly rooted in Biblical teaching and communal worship. Here we will meet some of the wisest thinkers and practitioners from the early church, the desert fathers and mothers, and medieval and reformation Christianity.
What do these have in common? This unit will take you on a journey from where you are now, a Lutheran viewing works of religious art, to an appreciation of this ancient Christian art form. You will receive an historical and theological overview of ikons, learn to 'read' them, to worship and pray with them, and to discern various schools and 'snares'.
Christians are called to offer their body to God as a living sacrifice. A rich spiritual life involves attending to what we do with our bodies. When we over-spiritualise our faith and neglect the bodily dimension, our entire faith-life and witness is impoverished. This course seeks to restore the balance, suggesting numerous practical ways to cultivate holy habits for praying bodies.
C.S. Lewis and Dietrich Bonhoeffer consistently rate among the best-loved Christian authors of the twentieth century. In different ways, they addressed contemporary problemsÊabout faith, morals,Êpolitics and philosophyÊwith discernment and almost prophetic insight. This course introduces their life and works, giving closer examination of selected texts, exploring questionsÊabout their abiding relevance today and for the future.
Sessional lecturers and leaders include the following:
Rev Andrew Brook
Rev Adam Cooper
Rev Fraser Pearce
Rev Stephen Pietsch
Sue Westhorp
Rev Anthony Fox
Rev Allan Heppner
Rev Tom Peitsch
Rev Stephen Pietsch
Rev Cecil Schmalkuche
Thea McDonald
Flossie Peitsch
Rev Allan Heppner
Silvia Kennett
Rev Gordon Wegener
Jenni Wegener
Rev Adam Cooper
Rev Fraser Pearce
Rev Cecil Schmalkuche
To find out more about studying with LST, please
use the form available here or
contact:
mailLutheran School of Theology
c/- LCA Victorian District Office
755 Station St
Box Hill VIC 3128
phone(03) 9890 0566
fax(03) 9890 6771
emailinfo@lst.vic.lca.org.au
webwww.lst.vic.lca.org.au
Use this form to choose the details that interest you. When you click the button, an email will appear in your mailer that you can further edit if required before sending.
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Two of our exciting courses are available this term.
Schedule now! Details of place and time are provided at the bottom of each page of course details. When you click on the links below, the units available this term are marked with this scheduling icon.
What they're saying about studying with LST
Attending the course on The Gospels with Pastor Anthony Fox awoke my excitement in searching and studying the Scriptures. The focus of the course was not just on knowledge, but how that knowledge impacted my personal faith. The course highlighted the similarities within the Gospels and their differences and unique attributes. I also enjoyed the process and discipline of writing a paper — when putting pen to paper thoughts become firmer and understanding is strengthened.
Faye
The Pastoral Care Course is ideal for those who are starting at grass-roots level, or who are adding to their knowledge, to assist in caring for those in our churches and the wider community. It has a good theology component as well as having a practical base. Pastor Gordon Wegener calls on his own experiences as well as a variety of guest speakers, who are all knowledgeable in their field.
Pauline
I thought I already knew what Bible study was all about until I attended the Introduction to Bible Study course with Pastor Steven Pietsch. The content was extensive, and I feel I gained a comprehensive overview of how to fully analyze and comprehend scripture. I look forward to applying the many skills I learned to sections and books of the Bible that I read in the future. I was sufficiently impressed to attend a second course.
The term 'spirituality' seems to be used so widely and often very loosely these days. The Introduction to Spirituality course gave me a good insight into what spirituality is, and what it looks like in various denominations. I was pleased to see that Lutherans do have their own way of expressing their spirituality, and the knowledge of this has helped me better appreciate and understand Lutheran liturgy and practices.
Andrew
Lutheran School of Theology — Vic! What a wonderful initiative! What a wonderful opportunity! On your doorstep there will be courses available to help equip you to live out your vocations in the world. I encourage you to register for a course. I am sure that having attended one course you will be hooked. May God richly bless you through LST!
Rev Dr David Stolz
President, LCA Victorian District
Grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 3:18)
Jesus said: The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree. (Matthew 13:31-32)
To be alive and healthy is to grow. Balanced growth engages the spirit as well as the body, the mind and the emotions.
Allan Heppner
Parish Pastor
A childlike faith is not a childish faith. It is rather a profound expression of Christian maturity which is continually nurtured into 'the fullness of Christ'. (Eph 4:11-16)
David Bryce
Pastor for Ministry Support, LCA Victorian District
The faith God has created in baptism needs to be nurtured so that it can flourish. Faith grows through fertilising by God's Word. This faith is grown so that it can be shared in the home, the church and the world.
Andrew Brook
Pastor for Child, Youth, Tertiary and Family Ministry
LCA Victorian District