EDITOR'S NOTE

Welcome to our eleventh issue of SIMUL, the journal of St. Paul Lutheran Seminary. This edition includes a number of insightful articles on maintaining boundaries and protecting mental health in the parish.

In this volume, John Bradosky studies the epidemic of emotional issues that plague our pastors, and he provides some useful tips for avoiding the boundary violations that may result in mental health issues down the road.

Dave Wollan explores the often-excessive workloads of pastors and explains how the LCMS’s LeaderCare Initiative is advising pastors on strategies for avoiding burnout.

Teresa Peters takes a look at how today’s social media environment, and the gender and sexual confusion it promotes, has led to a mental health crisis among our young people. Leveraging her thirty-year experience in youth ministry, she outlines ways to help troubled teens in our churches.

Randy Freund takes a theological approach on this topic, noting that boundary issues are often the result of confusion over such doctrines as the creator/creation distinction, the right- and left-hand kingdoms, and the distinction of law and gospel.

Continuing with the mental health focus of this issue, Roland Weisbrot reviews Stephen M. Saunders’ Martin Luther on Mental Health: Practical Advice for Christians Today published last year by Concordia Publishing House.

This edition includes a number of insightful articles concerning maintaining boundaries and how to protect mental health in the parish.

What’s Ahead?

Upcoming Issues - Our Summer 2024 issue will review the medieval theologians who set the stage for the Protestant Reformation.

SPLS now offers the Th.D. – We are excited to announce that St. Paul Lutheran Seminary is partnering with Kairos University in Sioux Falls, SD to establish an accredited Doctorate in Theology (Th.D.). The Th.D. is a research degree, preparing candidates for deep theological reflection, discussion, writing, leadership in the church and service towards the community. The goal of the program is to develop leaders in the Lutheran church who are qualified to teach in institutions across the globe, to engage in theological and biblical research to further the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to respond with faithfulness to any calling within the church. Those who are accepted into and complete the program will receive all instruction from SPLS professors and will receive an accredited (ATS) degree from Kairos University.

The general area of study of the Th.D. program is in systematic theology. Specializations offered within the degree include, but are not limited to: Reformation studies, evangelical homiletics, and law and gospel dialectics. The sub-disciplines within the areas of specialization are dependent upon the interest of the student provided they have a qualified and approved mentor. Other general areas of study, such as biblical studies, will be forthcoming. For the full description of the program, go to https://semlc.org/academic-programs/ If you are interested in supporting our effort to produce faithful teachers of Christ’s church, contact Jon Jensen jjensen@semlc.org. All prospective student inquiries can be directed to Dr. Marney Fritts mfritts@semlc.org.

Giving - Please consider making a generous contribution to St. Paul Lutheran Seminary at: https://semlc.org/support-st-paul-lutheran-seminary/

I hope you enjoy this issue of SIMUL! If you have any questions about the journal or about St. Paul Lutheran Seminary, please shoot me an email at dennisdimauro@yahoo.com