As a former BOD member of both Synod and LCEF, a congregational lay leader and a pastor’s son, I have developed the following thesis - America’s Number One Problem is “undiagnosed and untreated mental health issues”.

When I recall my board memberships and leadership responsibilities cited above, my thesis confirms the cause and enormous cost to our church of damaged relationships and lost treasure because of either ignorance or failure to treat mental health illnesses.

I personally share this insight with large numbers of people and after only minimal contemplation, their response is almost universally one of acclamation. If programs like the planned workshop are confined to only those in attendance, this will likely result only marginal response to another synodical program that again gets filed in someone’s archive. The workshop can highlight an issue which will reveal the tip of a “killer iceberg”.

The Rev. Dr. Daniel Preus is an excellent choice for the opening chapel service. I recall conversions with him about this topic. I know of his ability to verify the swath of destruction left by untreated mental health issues. It is an unending horror story.

Please make every effort to use the available tools of technology including the use of the web to disseminated the deliberations of this workshop including proactive tools to assist and equip leaders in the church at every level, in developing their consciousness and skills to deal with mental health issues.