It was the first fruit of the talks on ecumenical relations between the CSI and the Lutheran Churches in Tamil Nadu.
While it trains pastors for the Tamil Churches, it also provides opportunities for candidates from the neighbouring states and countries as well as ecumenical students from overseas to join this seminary for regular training and special courses for short periods.
Constant relationship with the surrounding churches, indigenous forms of worship and concrete programmes under Ministry to the Prisoners, Rights of Women and Children, Development of the poor and the downtrodden in the slums, mainly organizing the unorganized, Empowerment of the Dalits, Church Women center, interfaith dialogue are examples of this expression.
Programmes and institutions like the Unemployed Young People's Association (UYPA), Inba Illam – the home for the aged and Arulagam – the Home for the destitute women, continue to be supported by TTS although they function as independent institutions.
The chapel stands at the center of the campus integrating the study in class rooms, library and life in the hostel and family quarters.
The usual forms of addressing staff and students as, ‘Anna’ (elder brother), ‘Thambi’ (younger brother) ‘Akka’ (elder sister), ‘Thangai’ (younger sister), ‘Uncle’ and ‘Aunty’ are considered as expressions of this intimacy.