11 minute read
EDUCATING LUTHERAN PASTORS FOR MINISTRY IN INDIA
Michael B. Duggi
Introduction
Before I tell you the story about the Lutheran School of Theology (LSTI), let me share a little bit about India. My country is a land of 1.5 billion people, 333 million gods, 1,652 languages, 4,635 people groups, many political parties, and a still-existent caste system. Social discrimination is common between its many cultures and creeds, with many social stigmas, including the disgraceful treatment of the so-called “untouchables.” Gender discrimination is also common, and women suffer from many economic and education deprivations, as well as sexual harassment and onerous dowry requirements. These conditions mean that many poor girls are sent into prostitution by their own biological parents. Illiteracy is also common in my country.1
Conditions in Andhra Pradesh
Our ministry work serves the most remote villages in and around the Sattenapalli area in Andhra Pradesh State, in southeast India, where the terrain, climate, and political and economic conditions are quite challenging.
During the summer Andhra Pradesh is very hot, and heat waves can raise the temperature as high as 54° degrees C, or 129° F. The average rainfall is also very low compared with other areas in India. High population density is also a problem, as it is in other parts of India, and the literacy rate is only 38%.
Disease is always a concern. Our water has a high fluorine content, and the tuberculosis rate is very high. Prenatal and pediatric care is almost non-existent and therefore the mortality rates for children are higher than in other mandals (counties) in the state. The primary health center, which is situated in the county seat, is not serving our area.
Most people make their living by farming, but many don’t even earn the minimum wage and so they are forced to live in deplorable conditions. Poor irrigation and spotty electricity are major problems, and unfortunately, few farmers have access to high yielding seeds, pesticides or fertilizers.
The caste system is alive and well and exists in all our villages. Inter-caste marriages are forbidden. Social distance is observed between touchable (caste Hindus) and untouchables. Christian untouchables have no access to enter the homes or temples of the higher castes.2
Furthermore, people are not aware of political affairs or even their own rights, and they are quite often exploited by rich landlords, moneylenders, and politicians. Political parties seek to entice voters while caring little for the public welfare. Sadly, the villagers have little economic understanding and can be easily exploited.
Religion in Andhra Pradesh
There are three major religions in the area: Hinduism, Islam and Christianity. In Hinduism, there are many sects with deities of differing attributes. For instance, there are rich and poor gods as well as beautiful and ugly gods – gods of every shape and size. Hinduism is a mixture of polytheism (many gods and goddesses) and pantheism (seasonal gods and goddesses). Islam is separated into two groups: Sunnis and Shia, and there are many denominations of Christianity in the area as well. Most dangerously, Hindu religious fundamentalism is on the rise. Hindus believe in reincarnation, and many of their gods are believed to have been reincarnated. Some Hindus preach that Jesus is one of these reincarnated gods. They also teach about the “Trimurthulu,” a kind of Trinity, with the Hindu god Brahma as the creator, Vishnu as the reconciler, and Maheswaran as the sustainer. In doing so, they seek to confuse Christian believers by interpreting the Bible in Hindu-friendly ways. The persecution of Christians has recently intensified, and, in some areas, Christians have even been killed. Even here in Andhra Pradesh we have experienced religious extremism at the hands of Hindu fanatics. Islam is another threat to Christianity in India, since they preach that Jesus is simply one prophet among all the others.
The Lutheran Mission in Andhra Pradesh
The Lutheran Mission in Andhra Pradesh began with the arrival of Rev. John Christian Frederick Heyer from Pennsylvania in 1841.3 Later other missionaries, like Rev. James Russell Fink, also arrived. The missionaries worked tirelessly to reach the remote areas in our state, establishing many schools and hospitals, but sadly they started only one theological school in Rajahmundry, which is 400 km away and is no longer in operation.
My great-grandfather was baptized by Father Heyer in 1845. Later, my grandfather, the late Rev. Devanandam Duggi was a close associate with Rev. Fink, who stayed in Sattenapalli. From 1910 to 1921, my grandfather and Rev. Fink trained the local people for gospel work. My father (the late Rev. Samuel John Duggi) was also a Lutheran pastor. I have served in ministry since 1980, and my two sons, Rev. Samuel Peter Duggi and Pastor John Richards Duggi, are also serving in the ministry. Having inherited this wonderful Lutheran heritage, I seek to train Lutheran clergy and lay leaders for God’s work. Here in Andhra Pradesh, we find that there is great need for Lutheran theological education and basic biblical knowledge.
As a great-grandson, grandson, and son of pastors, and the father of two pastors, I am proud to be part of a long line of Indian ministers which continues to this day. And this legacy also includes a heart for Lutheran mission work. We currently operate a Lutheran home for the aged, a Lutheran orphanage, Father Heyer and several Lutheran congregations. The Lutheran churches in America and in Denmark have been generous in supporting our existing projects and infrastructure.
A New Seminary for Andhra Pradesh
To train and equip pastors for ministry, we established the Lutheran School of Theology in India (LSTI) in 2019. At the seminary, we train pastors not only to preach and teach, but also, to respond to Hindu and Muslim misinformation about Christianity. Pastors need to be able to strengthen the faith of their members who are often persecuted for their beliefs. The government does not support the education of Christians and there is no government employment available for them.4 For example, my children have no scholarships and no opportunities for government jobs because it says “Christian” on their educational certificates. However, Hindu children all get scholarships for their education and opportunities for government jobs. This is but one snapshot of the plight of Christians in India, and the need to constantly encourage the flock.
In light of these conditions there is only one solution, and his name is Jesus. My slogan has been and will continue to be “India needs more Gospel.” He is our only hope. The Lutheran School of Theology in India is the fulfilment of a dream of the Lutheran Church in Andhra Pradesh, and it has been my dream as well: promoting the study of Lutheran theology for those serving in Christian ministry. And although the Lutheran church was started in 1841 in Andhra Pradesh, until recently there was no Lutheran theological training within our area, despite great need, with the result that our Lutheran clergy and lay people were not fully equipped in theology or doctrine. All that changed when our seminary was established in 2019.
Our vision is to equip the Lutheran clergy and laypeople, both men and women, to more effectively share the gospel in their respective congregations. Our seminary is a biblically-based institution of theological education providing a Christ-centered environment for the academic and spiritual preparation of men and women. It seeks to function in cooperation with the Lutheran churches that are committed to the historic faith under the authority of the Bible, the Word of God. We are teaching from a Lutheran perspective, so that our pastors might effectively share the gospel in their congregations. We also work in cooperation with other Lutheran churches that are committed to the one true God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, in the historic, orthodox Christian faith.
Presently, the LSTI has twenty students (men and women) in both first- and second-year classes and they hail from different parts of our state. Our seminary offers a two-year Bachelor of Divinity degree with the affiliation of St. Paul Lutheran Seminary (SPLS). We provide free boarding, lodging and scholarships to all our students. We teach in both Telegu (the local language) and in English. The subjects include Preaching Theology, Early Church History and Reformation,
Christian Ethics, Biblical Greek, Christian Communications, Indian Church History, Old Testament, New Testament, Religions, and Music and Liturgy.
We are also blessed by a group of very dedicated board members and faculty who keep us on track. So far, 34 students have graduated from the LSTI since its founding. The LSTI is not only dedicated to educational ministry but also to social ministry as well. During COVID, LSTI helped 1000 families by providing rice and vegetables. Sadly, two students and one faculty member died due to the pandemic.
We thank Rev. Julie Smith (Coordinator, Districts and Fellowship Groups, LCMC) for her encouragement to our theological educational ministry. We have six Indian faculty and four online faculty from overseas. The overseas faculty include Rev. Julie Smith, Rev. Dr. Dennis Di Mauro, as well as others from outside of SPLS, including Mr. Rick Ritchie from 1517, and Rev. Curt Joseph from Immanuel Lutheran Church, Waukee, IA.
How You Can Help Support the Ministry of LSTI
The LSTI has a great mission opportunity for our friends in the United States. We welcome you all, the SPLS faculty, students, congregation members, and youth (both boys and girls) to visit the LSTI.
Consider this the pastors who are studying at LSTI come from poor backgrounds. The average congregational member in a Lutheran Church in Andhra Pradesh makes only $3.00 per day in wages. So, the members are simply unable to support their pastor’s theological education. But this is so vital, since here in India, many pastors do not have a comprehensive understanding of scripture. The students need generous support for food, study materials and travel to continue their theological education and their congregational ministry. Consider sponsoring a student of the LSTI, knowing that you are preparing a minister to expand the kingdom of God on earth. We also need support to provide remuneration for our Indian professors. They are a committed and highly educated faculty.
Presently, the LSTI holds classes in the Epiphania Lutheran Church hall, Gudipadu, India. At this time, we have no classrooms, no infrastructure, no library and no rooms for students and faculty to stay. There is a great need for building construction because sometimes we have to cancel classes if there is a program at the church.
I have visited the United States several times and have visited many congregations that support the LSTI with prayer support and financial gifts. But there is a great need to have a fundraiser/coordinator to organize support for the LSTI.
To make this vision a reality, we need your prayers and giving “to equip His people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up” (Ephesians 4:12). God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7). Checks can be made payable to: St. Paul’s Lutheran Seminary, P.O. Box 251, Midland, GA 31820, MEMO: India Mission, or you can also write a check made out to “Michael B. Duggi” and send it to Rev. Julie Smith, 1860 Macintosh Court, St. Peter, MN 56082. Checks or cash can also be deposited in favour of Michael B Duggi, USBank, Mankato Main branch, MN. Account NO: 1 047 8602 3929, Routing NO:091000022. Our address is: The Lutheran School of Theology in India, Attn: Rev. Dr. Michael B. Duggi, Gudipadu Village - 522410, Krosur- Mandal, Guntur – District, AP, India. Phone number is + 91 944 021 1136, WhatsApp: + 91 800 878 5607 and our email is pastor.benarji@gmail.com
Rev. Dr. Michael B. Duggi is the president of the Lutheran School of Theology in India
Footnotes:
1 “How Unity in Diversity Exists in India,” BYJU’s (Indian education site), accessed March 1, 2024, https://byjus.com/question-answer/how-unity-in-diversity-existsin-india/
2 Hillary Mayell, “India’s Untouchables Face Discrimination,” National Geographic, accessed March 1, 2024, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/pages/article/indias-untouchables-faceviolence-discrimination
3 “Johann Christian Frederick Heyer,” Christian Cyclopedia, Lutheran ChurchMissouri Synod, accessed March 1, 2024, https://cyclopedia.lcms.org/definitions?mode=index&page=0&index=HEYER.JOH ANNCHRISTIANFRIEDRICH
4 “Dalit Christians Demand Equality,” The Times of India, Feb. 14th 2004, accessed March 1, 2024, https://web.archive.org/web/20060216081119/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.c om/articleshow/496862.cms
