Seminary Life
The life of a seminarian is one of introspection, study, prayer, and worship. To take up the call to serve in the church as a Pastor, a Commissioned Church Worker, a Deacon or Deaconess is a difficult but worthwhile task. ALTS equips, enlightens, and encourages students for these callings. From scriptural exegesis to church administration, ALTS provides comprehensive education and training for service in these vocational ministries.
Seminarians not only gain deeper insight into the Scriptures, but they learn what it means to struggle as a servant of Christ, preparing them for their calls to serve in the Church.
In 1 Timothy 3, Paul speaks of the qualifications for pastors:
“The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil” (1 Timothy 3:1-7, ESV).
Following this, he details the qualifications for deacons:
“Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 3:8-13)]]
O Lord God, dear Father in heaven, I am indeed unworthy of the office and ministry in which I am to make known Your glory and to nurture and to serve this congregation.
But since You have appointed me to be a pastor and teacher, and the people are in need of the teaching and the instruction, be my helper and let Your holy angels attend to me.
Then if You are pleased to accomplish anything through me, to Your glory and not to mine or to the praise of people, grant me, out of Your pure grace and mercy, a right understanding of Your Word and that I may also diligently perform it.
O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, shepherd and bishop of our souls, send Your Holy Spirit to work with me to will and to do through Your divine strength according to Your good pleasure. Amen.
--Luther’s Sacristy prayer
The spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ does not come without opposition.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” (Eph. 6:10-13).
Our seminarians are young and old alike, and all seek to answer the call to serve Christ with humility and passion, with strength and perseverance. Our curriculum challenges students, and seeks to equip them with the whole armor of God to serve and shepherd the sheep that God has entrusted to the care of the church.