Lutheran Theological
Seminary Saskatoon
Lutheran Theological Seminary Saskatoon (LTS) equips
nurtures and challenges women and men for Christ-centered
ministries that call people to lively commitment,
bold witness and sacrificial service.
LTS seeks to form the present and future leadership
of the Church for the world. We provide solid footings for
teaching competent church leaders for Western Canada
and for the wider church.
1913 Lutheran College and Seminary founded by the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of
Manitoba and Other Provinces; by 1915, a facility was built at 1502 8th St E in
Saskatoon
1939 Luther Theological Seminary established by the Norwegian Lutheran Church of
America (eventually situated at 212 Wiggins Ave N)
1968 The two predecessor seminaries – with six professors and thirty students – joined to
become Lutheran Theological Seminary Saskatoon and moved to a new building on
the University of Saskatchewan campus, on the banks of the South Saskatchewan river
1969 LTS, Emmanuel & St Chad (Anglican), and St. Andrew’s College (United) established
a Graduate School of Theology, later known as the Graduate Theological Union of
Saskatoon. Also this year, Deaconess Margaret Tsan became the first woman graduate
1996 Rev. Dr. Faith Rohrbough installed as the first woman President of a Lutheran
seminary in North America
2003 First cross-cultural immersion trip (to India)
2009 First graduate from the Diaconal Certificate program (Gretchen Peterson)
2012 Faithful for the Future capital campaign launched
2013 Distance education program begins offering classes to students outside Saskatoon
Over 1200 of our graduates have served parishes in the ELCIC and ELCA
Our seminary embodies a distinctive Canadian Lutheranism
even as we honour the diversity of today’s world. Students are
called to expand their world through four specialized areas:
globalization
ethics
rural ministry mission
The LTS cross-cultural program teaches the skills of social
analysis and self-awareness that are needed for ministry in a
burgeoning cultural mosaic such as Canada.
Traditional core areas, such as liturgy and
homiletics, Lutheran confessions, biblical
exegesis, and pastoral care also continue to
be stressed.
Ordained professors with parish and international mission
experience build on their own training and experiences when
preparing our students for ministry and church leadership.
In the context of the Saskatoon Theological Union (STU),
our students learn Lutheran perspectives and practices of
worship, study, and work in a multi-denominational setting.
This training equips pastors and rostered leaders to handle
the issues that now face many parishes. Formation in an
ecumenical context also brings clarity about our own unique
and complex Lutheran confessions.
LTS offers a range of theological education degrees and
certificate programs, on-campus and by distance:
== Master’s of Divinity (MDiv) – preparation for ordained ministry [4 years including parish residency]
== Master’s of Theological Studies (MTS) – advanced theological study for lay leadership and church
vocations that do not require ELCIC rostering [2 years]
== Lutheran Formation Certificate – Lutheran formation for students holding an MDiv from another
denomination who wish to become ordained through the ELCIC
== Diaconal Ministry Certificate – preparation for diaconal ministries [1 year + internship]
== Master’s of Sacred Theology (STM) – advanced graduate study for students already holding an MDiv or
MTS degree, often as preparation for a PhD in Theology
== Doctor of Divinity (DMin) in Rural Ministry and Community Development – advanced practical graduate
degree for clergy
In recent years, the two ELCIC seminaries (LTS & Waterloo)
jointly have graduated an average of ten students for ordained
ministry per year. At this rate, the demand for future ELCIC
pastors will not be met. Already, many Canadian parishes,
particularly in rural and remote areas, lack any
rostered leadership or pastor.
We envision a future in which our grandchildren and
their children will be able to worship in a strong, vibrant
ELCIC. The success of LTS will be critical for filling this need.
Adequate funding will strengthen our teaching mission by
increasing our capacity to attract and retain top professors,
recruit strong students, and upgrade our facilities.
Professors
Planned Giving Staff
Rev. Dr. Kevin Ogilvie
President
Rev. Dr. Gordon Jensen
William Hordern Chair of Theology
Joe Stolee
Director of Development
joe.stolee@usask.ca
403.478.9684
Rev. Dr Cameron Harder
Professor of Systematic Theology
Dr. Pamela Giles
Dir. of Advancement Services
development.office@usask.ca
306.966.7846
Rev. Dr. Kristine Ruffatto
Associate Professor of
Old Testament Studies
Vincent Gaudet
Director of Finance
finance.lts@usask.ca
306.966.7862
BC
Bishop Greg Mohr ’82
Rev. Christoph Reiners ’94
Dr. Gerry Saleski
SK
Bishop Sid Haugen ’81
Rev. Dan Haugen ’73
Helga Hein
ABT
Bishop Larry Kochendorfer ’89
Rev. Doug Heine
Marla Mulloy (Chair)
MNO
Bishop Elaine Sauer ’98
Rev. Lester Skonnord ’83
Sandra Tymchyshyn
1% Tuition & Fees
21%
Donations
& Bequests*
17%
Dormitory
43%
Provincial &
Synodical
Grants
17%
Investment
Income
Sources of LTS Revenue from the
2012–13 audited financial statement
Because your gifts make a difference.
The generous support of our individual and
congregational donors is essential for LTS
to offer the excellent training of pastors,
diaconal ministers, and church workers
that it has been privileged to provide.
Because our mission furnishes your church.
Almost all the Lutheran ordination-track
graduates from recent years have gone
on to serve in parishes in the ELCIC.
Because our programming enriches and deepens the scope of the
ELCIC. Along with a strong MDIV program, LTS offers clergy,
diaconal, and lay training programs, welcoming students of other
denominations and from other countries.
Through the ecumenical learning context, students gain a deeper
understanding of what it means to be Lutheran, while learning to
appreciate about other traditions. LTS is unique in the importance
it places upon a cross-cultural, globalized understanding of the
Lutheran Church and our faith.
Because we are called by Christ to be stewards of his church.
Part of this call to stewardship is a responsibility to maintain and
propagate the church of God, which will in turn spread the good
news. We cannot fulfill this mission without a constant flow of new
pastors into the ELCIC. The Seminary is a partner in the future of
this church.
You are invited to become a vital partner in this important
ministry of our Church. First, we ask for your prayer support
for us and in sharing the news of this ministry with others.
=If
= you are sensing a call to study ministry, consider enrolling
=Encourage
=
others who may be sensing a call to ministry
=Give
=
a major gift or become an ongoing donor
=Make
=
arrangements for a legacy gift to the Seminary.
The opportunity is yours to have a significant role in this
vitally needed ministry now and in the future.
What They Are
Planned or legacy gifts are future
donations to a charity such as LTS,
given through a will or other form of
designation.
Every legacy gift, regardless of the
amount, is valuable to the Seminary.
Why Create a Legacy Gift?
Everyone has their own reasons for
choosing to create a legacy gift:
==It can be a way to ensure that your
memory lives on
==It can be a way to ensure that LTS is
able to continue its important work
of training future leaders for the
church
==It can be a way to reduce the tax
burden that comes with the transfer
of one’s estate to surviving relatives
When you create a legacy gift, you are
making a significant contribution to
the future of the church.
Take the time to consider your
options carefully. Planning your gift
in consultation with your family,
financial advisor, or lawyer will help
ensure that your wishes will be carried
out after you yourself are gone.
What They Are
Remembrance of LTS by a capital gift
through a will or trust
How They Work
the Donor…
==Directs the executor of the will to pay
fixed amount or percentage to charity
==Retains right to change amount or to
change charity
==Allows the donor to continue to help
LTS after death
==Can create a memorial, designate a
specific ministry within the Seminary,
or establish an ongoing fund
the Seminary…
==Receives a capital gift upon death of
donor
==Is able to maintain and grow the work
of the Seminary
Benefits
==Allows tax credit to estate when gift is
paid out
==Bequest may be changed at any time
==Donor retains principal and income
during lifetime
Points to Consider
==Full tax credit may not be utilized
==Can be challenged by heirs
annuity to provide income payments
to you for a certain duration or for the
Transfer of cash or property to a finanrest of your life
cial organization, which then provides
an immediate gift to the Seminary and a ==Most appealing for those who have
reached or are close to reaching
guaranteed income for the donor
retirement age and prefer to make a
gift now rather than leave a bequest
How They Work
==The specific amount of income you
Benefit
would receive depends on your age
==Donor can make a gift during their
and prevailing interest rate
lifetime and receive a guaranteed
==Payments can be arranged for
income
monthly, quarterly, or semi-annually
==Donor receives a charitable tax
Point to Consider
receipt for the donation portion
==Your capital is no longer available for
==Can be set up as a joint or individual
your own use
What They Are
What They Are
Benefits
==Gifts of publicly listed securities ==Donor receives an attractive tax
credit*
to the charity
==No capital gains tax is paid
How They Work
directly on donations of
Donor
appreciated securities. [If one
==Arranges for transfer of share
were to sell the appreciated
ownership to LTS
shares oneself, one would pay tax
==Receives a tax receipt for the
on 50% of the increase in value
value of the shares the day LTS
since originally purchased.]
receives them
==Charitable tax receipt given for
Charity
the full value of the donated
==Sells the shares immediately and
shares
has cash available for use
==Gifted securities in one’s will can
help reduce taxes on the estate
in the year of the donor’s death
*To receive the tax advantage, the donation of securities must be made in a certain way. The Seminary and your
broker can provide the information you need to make the process easiest for you.
What They Are
==RRSPs and RRIFs provide
stable income during a person’s
retirement
==These assets are taxable when
paid out
Benefits
==If you have no surviving spouse
or dependent child, these funds
can produce a large tax liability
in the year of your death. Gifting
the funds to LTS can help reduce
this tax burden
How They Work
==If LTS is the named beneficiary
Donor
on your RRSP or RRIF
==Can gift some of your retirement
documents at the financial
income to LTS and reduce your
institution, the gift will not be
tax burden during retirement.
subject to probate fees
==Can designate the Seminary as a
beneficiary of the RRSP or RRIF
with your bank or in your will
What It Is
A policy on the insured person’s life,
with the Seminary as the designated
beneficiary
How It Works
==Donor purchases the insurance and
names the Seminary as beneficiary
==Seminary receives policy proceeds
after donor passes away
==Tax receipt is issued after death and
can reduce the tax burden on the
estate
Options
1. Gift of an Existing policy
==You can donate a policy that is no
longer needed for its original purpose.
The old policy may no longer be as
important to you as it once was, but
it can make a huge difference to the
Seminary
==Making the Seminary a beneficiary
of an existing policy can be arranged
very easily. It will generate a gift
upon death but does not give the tax
advantage during your lifetime
2.
Gift of a New Policy
==You can purchase a policy naming the
Seminary as beneficiary but retain
ownership of the policy
What It Is
A policy on the insured person’s life,
owned by the Seminary
How It Works
Benefits
==Tax advantages are conferred during
donor’s lifetime
==Policy proceeds are paid directly to
the Seminary, eliminating probate or
administration fees on that portion of
the estate
==It is safe from challenge and can be
anonymous if one wishes
==The donor can make a meaningful
gift to the Seminary by making small
payments during his or her lifetime
==The gift is made without affecting the
will or other estate assets
==Donor makes premium payments
until the amount specified is reached
==Donor receives charitable donation
tax receipts from LTS for premium
payments
==LTS receives policy proceeds after
donor passes away
==or... Donor assigns ownership of
an existing policy to LTS. This gift
qualifies for a charitable donation
receipt in the amount of the cash
Point to Consider
value. Subsequent premiums paid also ==Irrevocable: donor cannot later
qualify for donation receipts
change the charity
“Remember that when you leave this
earth, you can take with you nothing
that you have received, only what
you have given: a full heart enriched
by honest service, love, sacrifice and
service.” —St Francis of Assisi
“As each has received a gift, employ it
for one another, as good stewards of
God’s grace in it various forms.”
—1 Peter 4:10
Lutheran Theological Seminary Saskatoon
114 Seminary Cres
Saskatoon, SK S7N 0X3
306.966.7850  lutheran.seminary@usask.ca
http://luther.usask.ca
CRA Charitable Number: 119026292RR0001