Lead Time
Episodes
402 episodes
Is LCMS Bureaucracy Holding Back Ministry?
In this episode of Lead Time, Tim Ahlman welcomes back Jim Sanft, former President and CEO of Concordia Plans, for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, trust, Lutheran education, lay leadership, LCMS bureaucracy, and what it means to stew...
LCMS Runoff Shock: Can Biermann Beat Harrison?
The LCMS presidential election is heading to a runoff — and the numbers are impossible to ignore.President Matthew Harrison received 43.8% on the first ballot. Dr. Joel Biermann received 39.0%. For the first time in this election cycle,...
The Future of the LCMS: Generosity and Tithing
In this episode of Lead Time, Tim Ahlman and Jack Kalleberg sit down with Philip Meinzen, a longtime LCMS educator and creator of The Grace Formula, for a powerful conversation about stewardship, generosity, tithing, debt, vocation, and the mis...
The LCMS Pastor Pipeline Problem
In this episode of Lead Time, Tim Ahlman talks with Jim Simpson, a retired higher education leader with decades of experience in curriculum development, administration, accreditation, and student success. Together, they explore what higher educ...
Why Culture Can’t Be Faked
In this episode of Lead Time, Tim Ahlman sits down with Coach Patrick Daberkow, head football coach at Concordia University, Nebraska. Together, they talk about what makes a healthy team culture, why football still matters in an age of individu...
The LCMS Forgot This Part of its Story...
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod loves its history. But what if we have forgotten one of the most important parts of it?In this episode of Lead Time, Tim Ahlman talks with Pastor Mark Brandt about the story of St. Lorenz Lutheran Chur...
The Pharisee Living Inside Every Lutheran
Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller returns to Lead Time for a conversation that begins with the Prodigal Son… and ends up exposing something much closer to home.Most Christians know the story of the younger son who runs away, wastes everything, a...
Before LCMS Convention: The Future of the Concordias
A major LCMS convention overture could reshape the way the Concordia University System functions — but many everyday Lutherans may not understand what is being proposed, why it matters, or what questions still need to be answered.In thi...
The LCMS Bylaw Change Most Lutherans Aren’t Watching
Most Lutherans do not get excited about bylaws — but sometimes a bylaw change can have real consequences for local ministry.In this episode of Lead Time, Tim Ahlman and Jack Kalleberg sit down with Jim Saalfeld, CEO of the Church Extens...
The LCMS Ethics Crisis Behind Public Heresy Accusations | Dr. Jim Voelz & Dr. Mark Hoehner
What happens when public accusations of heresy are made without clear evidence?In this urgent Lead Time conversation, Rev. Dr. Jim Voelz and Rev. Dr. Mark Hoehner join Tim Ahlman to discuss ethics, truth, the Eighth Commandment, public ...
What Should the LCMS Do About Decline? (From Presidential Nominee Brady Finnern)
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is heading into a significant season. With convention conversations ahead, questions around pastoral formation, membership decline, congregational vitality, and the future of Lutheran mission are all on the ta...
Two Seminary Legends on the Future of the LCMS
In this episode of Lead Time, Tim Ahlman sits down with two longtime Concordia Seminary professors, Dr. Andy Bartelt and Dr. James Voelz, for a wide-ranging conversation on time, aging, biblical literacy, seminary history, SMP, distance educati...
Who’s Actually Joining the LCMS? | Looking at LCMS Data with Dr. Lyman Stone
What’s really happening inside the LCMS right now?In this episode of Lead Time, Tim Ahlman and Jack sit down with Dr. Lyman Stone—demographer and creator of the Lutheran Religious Life Survey—to unpack the most surprising data trends in...
Why Christians Should NEVER Sue Each Other…
What happens when Christians take each other to court… or when marriages fall apart long before anyone asks for help?In this episode of Lead Time, Tim and Jack sit down with Christian attorney Colin Hoffman to unpack the reality of Chri...
ULC Booth Rejected from the LCMS Convention 2026
A special episode of Lead Time responding to a recent decision from LCMS leadership denying our request to host a booth at the upcoming LCMS Convention.Want to stay up to date on LCMS Happenings? Sign up here:
The Future of the LCMS (From a Presidential Nominee Dr. Joel Biermann)
Today, We sit down with presidential nominee Dr. Joel Biermann to talk about the current state—and future—of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS).What are the real strengths of the LCMS? Where are we struggling?And what must ch...
The LCMS Giving Crisis No One Is Talking About
In this episode of Lead Time, we respond to the “Giving Crescendo” conversation and break down what’s really happening beneath the surface: an aging church body, a historic wealth transfer, and a short window of opportunity that could either fu...
How Are LCMS Pastors Truly Formed? | Our Response to a Recent Seminary Podcast
In this episode, we respond to a recent seminary podcast discussing residential training and pastoral formation. WATCH THE PODCAST HEREWhile we deeply respect...
First Article Gifts: A Leadership Framework for the LCMS
In this episode of Lead Time, Tim Ahlman and Jack Kalleberg sit down with Texas District President Jon Braunersreuther to discuss:• The growing pastor shortage in the LCMS• The debate surrounding SMP pastoral formation• Why the ...
Is the LCMS Ignoring Its Biggest Crisis? | Implications of Officer Nomination Vote Totals
The latest LCMS nomination results may reveal far more than just who might become the next president.Stay up to date by Joining the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter)
Is the LCMS in an “American Interim”? A Gospel-Centered Response
What is the “American Interim” — and is the Church compromising its identity?In this episode of LEAD TIME, Pastor Tim Ahlman sits down with Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Kloha (Dean for the Center for Missional & Pastoral Leadership) to thoughtf...
Priesthood of All Believers: The Debate That Still Shapes the LCMS
What is God’s mission? Sounds like a simple question. In this episode of LEAD TIME, Tim and Jack sit down with veteran missiologist, Rev. Dr. Bob Scudieri to unpack the theology, history, and controversy surrounding mission in the LCMS....
Joy, Curiosity, and Hard Conversations in the LCMS
Are we unintentionally losing relational leadership in the LCMS?In this episode of LEAD TIME, Tim sits down with DCE Jonathan Zellar to unpack the ideas behind Rare Leadership by Jim Wilder — and why joy, emotional intelligence, and rel...
Is This “Seminex 2.0”? Dr. Jim Voelz Responds to the Controversy
Please excuse the internet issues experienced during today's episode.Is Concordia Seminary embracing “Seminex 2.0”?Does modern linguistic theory make Scripture meaningless?Can Christians interpret the Bible “objectively”?
How Real-Time Insight Can Strengthen the Local Church
What happens when churches stop listening to their people—and what becomes possible when they do?In this episode of Lead Time, Tim Ahlman sits down with Ryan Ermeling, founder of Parent Pulse and the newly launched Church Voice, to expl...