Lead Time

Tim Ahlman welcomes Rev. Dr. Michael Eckelkamp, who shares transformative leadership insights from his experience as Senior Executive Director at Christ Lincoln Church and Schools and mentor to countless leaders.

• Two early mentors shaped Michael's approach to leadership: his third-grade teacher who helped him learn to read, and a man named Herbie who invited him to weekly dinners
• Understanding leadership and s...

Tim sits down with Brian Stecker, associate pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Waconia, Minnesota, and creator of the "On the Line" podcast, to explore theological leadership in today's changing religious landscape. They discuss how traditional Lutheran theology can engage with contemporary culture while maintaining its rich intellectual tradition.

• CS Lewis's powerful influence as a bridge between c...

What happens when we apply biblical language to modern business concepts? Attorney Colin Hoffman joins Tim and Jack to challenge how Christian leaders use marketplace terminology and offers a refreshing biblical perspective on leadership development.

• Integrating faith in the marketplace through daily devotionals and Christ-centered business practices
• Using biblical language instead of business terminology – how &qu...

What if everything we thought about leadership was backward? In this thought-provoking exploration of "The Genius of Jesus," we unpack how Christ established the most effective leadership development movement in history—not through controlling hierarchies but through radical trust and empowerment.

• Jesus exemplifies genius by seeing connections others couldn't see and establishing an upside-down kingdom

What does it mean to be "free" in a Lutheran context? Join us as we explore that question with President Micah Hjermstad of the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations. President Micah Hjermstad shares the history, structure, and vision of this distinctively autonomous Lutheran body. The conversation explores how congregational freedom and collaborative ministry can flourish together when centered on the gospel of Jesu...

Dr. Jon Braunersreuther joins Tim Ahlman to challenge one of the most persistent false dichotomies in Lutheran circles: the notion that being "confessional" and "missional" represent opposing priorities. Drawing from his role as Director of District-Wide Strategy for the Texas District LCMS, Jon presents a compelling alternative—a reciprocal and reinforcing relationship where strong theological convictions natur...

Tim Ahlman shares important commitments being made to increase unity in the LCMS regarding pastoral formation discussions, explaining his decision to step back from public commentary on this topic while pursuing appropriate denominational channels for dialogue.

• Tim commits to no longer discussing LCMS pastoral formation on his podcasts or promoting non-Synod-approved leadership training programs
• Christ Greenfield L...

Attorney Kurth Brashear doesn't shy away from addressing the challenging governance issues facing the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod today. Drawing from his extensive experience in both church leadership and legal practice, he offers a candid assessment of how the church's governance structures sometimes hinder rather than help our shared mission.

• Developing a heart for church mission comes from understanding that God wa...

What does it mean to be human in an age where technology increasingly blurs the lines between body and machine? Dr. John Pless, professor at Concordia Theological Seminary, tackles this question through the lens of Lutheran ethics.

• Lutheran ethics begins with our relationship to God, not merely descriptive or prescriptive approaches
• Transhumanism views the body as "an assemblage of replaceable parts," ref...

Tim and Jack welcome Tyree Toney (aka Lex Lutheran) to discuss his transition from a Baptist background to confessional Lutheranism, the Wittenberg Project, and opportunities for growth and enhanced mission within the LCMS.

• Lex shares his journey from a Baptist upbringing through Catholicism and Methodism before finding his home in confessional Lutheranism
• The Wittenberg Project began as an online effort to provide...

Dr. Kent Burreson shares his 25-year journey teaching Lutheran worship, exploring how liturgy should serve the gospel rather than becoming an end in itself. He offers wisdom on balancing historical practices with contextual relevance while keeping Christ at the center of worship.

• Journey from liturgical purist to liturgical pragmatist
• How political tribalization has influenced church worship practices
• Rising ...

Tim and Jack welcome back Nick Graff, a former Marine Corps sergeant and special forces member, to discuss the aftermath of Seminex and its implications for the modern Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.

• The aftermath of Seminex resulted in a more confessionally unified LCMS while also creating a spirit of disunity
• Contemporary debates about worship styles often conflate adiaphora (non-essential matters) with doctrine<...

The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod faces significant challenges based on the latest Pew Research Center findings, with declining prayer frequency, weekly worship attendance, and scripture reading. Tim and Jack offer candid insights into the demographic shifts and spiritual trends affecting LCMS congregations nationwide.

• LCMS demographics show an aging trend with only 19% of households having children, down from 28% a dec...

The rapid decline in active LCMS pastors—down 10% in just two years—underscores the need for new approaches to theological education that remain confessionally Lutheran while meeting modern ministry contexts.

Enter the Center for Missional and Pastoral Leadership:

Biblical. Reformational. Missional. Affordable. Global.

Visit https://cst.ilt.edu/cmpl/ or find the Center for Missional and Pastoral Leadership on Facebook for more informa...

Listening may be the most powerful yet underutilized tool in our spiritual arsenal, particularly in a culture that prizes quick responses and winning arguments over deep understanding.

Grab Pastor Brian Davies' new book! 

• Pastor Brian Davies introduces his book "Captivating Conversations: How Christians Can Reclaim the Lost Art of Listening" 
• Jesus modeled asking questions rather than simply giving answers, dem...

Pastor Robert Balduc shares his journey from corporate life at Ford to planting St. Peter Lutheran Church and becoming an intentionally co-vocational pastor maintaining his role at Volkswagen alongside ministry leadership.

• Coming from a corporate background before entering seminary and founding St. Peter in 2006
• Transitioning to a co-vocational model not from financial necessity but strategic choice
• Reducing ...

Tim and Jack explore why developing church leaders locally is both biblical and essential for church health and growth.

• The urgent need for leadership in the post-Christian, secular American context
• Sustainable leadership training that is robust, affordable, and accessible
• Cultural relevance – locally developed leaders understand their communities intuitively
• Biblical foundations from Exodus 18 (Jethro ...

Jim Sanft, President and CEO of Concordia Plan Services, breaks down the differences between single-employer church plans and multiple-employer denominational benefit programs like CPS. He offers crucial insights on how CPS's governance structure provides strong protection for LCMS workers' retirement security.

• Addressing a recent Wall Street Journal article about problems in church retirement plans
• Why C...

Pastor Andrew Jones shares insights on unity within the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, exploring how harmony functions differently from uniformity and creates a more beautiful expression of Christ's body.

• Concordia (harmony) creates beauty through diversity of notes working together rather than identical sounds
• Musical metaphors illuminate church dynamics—dissonance and resolution both necessary for beautiful...