It does not happen often that two installations are held in one service, preceded by a baptism.
The date was 4th February 2018 at the St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Congregation in Pretoria, culminating in a long service, held in both English and Afrikaans, with parts of the baptism held in German and votes for the two pastors also in Zulu. Dr Walter Winterle was installed by Bishop Modise Maragelo (LCSA) as the rector of the Lutheran Theological Seminary (LTS) in Tshwane, and as coordinator for the mission work in Mozambique. Bishop Dieter Reinstorf installed Pastor Kurt Böhmer as the pastor of St. Paul’s congregation, primarily responsible for its Afrikaans speaking members. After two short installation messages, one held by the Mission Representative of the Mission of Lutheran Churches (MLC), Missionary Christoph Weber, the other held by Bishop Reinstorf, the sermon was held by Dr Winterle on 2 Corinthians 3:5: “Not that we are competent in ourselves… but our competence comes from God.”
Dr Winterle, to whom this new calling seems like an overwhelming challenge, shared both his fears and his trust in God with the assembled congregation. These words of the apostle Paul comforted him in the knowledge that He who calls us into His service, also gives us the competence to fulfil the task. Dr Winterle replaces Dr Wilhelm Weber as rector of the seminary, who with great foresight had helped that the LTS becomes an institution for theological training not only for the two local confessional Lutheran Churches in South Africa, but many Lutheran Churches throughout Africa. It is our prayer that under the leadership of Dr Winterle the LTS will continue to be a blessing to many.
Bishop Dr Dieter Reinstorf, Pietermaritzburg
