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What do our funerals say about what we believe? ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ After this public conversation, Beth stayed on for a short, candid discussion about women, teaching, and the LCMS. She shares her experience pursuing theological training, encountering limitations, and finding opportunities to use her gifts in service to the church. Join Lead Time+ to watch the private bonus episode and support these conversations ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ Tim Ahlman welcomes Dr. Kent Burreson and Dr. Beth Hoeltke, coauthors of "Lay Me in God’s Good Earth: A Christian Approach to Death and Burial," for a conversation about practices many Christians have taken for granted. Together, they explore cremation, embalming, natural burial, and the church’s role in caring for the bodies of those who have died. They also discuss practical ways pastors can help members prepare for death, why our language around grief matters, and how the promise of bodily resurrection shapes Christian hope. RESOURCES Lay Me in God’s Good Earth — Kent Burreson and Beth Hoeltke: https://www.ivpress.org/lay-me-in-god-s-good-earth “Life, Death, and Life Again: Natural Burial and Resurrection Promise” — Beth Hoeltke, Verba Vitae: https://verbavitae.substack.com/p/life-death-and-life-again-natural Support the show ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ Care about the future of the LCMS? Join the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter) ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ To learn more, visit uniteleadership.org

Care about the future of the LCMS? Join the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter) Are we spending more time debating how church should look than loving the people Jesus calls us to reach? Pastor Derrick Hurst of Living Word Lutheran Church in Galena, Ohio, joins Tim Ahlman for an honest conversation about unity, leadership, and ministry beyond the church walls. Derrick shares his unexpected journey through church planting, selling luxury cars, and a devastating church fire just four days before Easter—and how the surrounding community helped the congregation reopen for Holy Week. Support the show ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ Care about the future of the LCMS? Join the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter) ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ To learn more, visit uniteleadership.org

Join Lead Time+, to discuss topics like these with our growing community of pastors and lay leaders Is change possible in the LCMS without compromising what we believe? Tim Ahlman and Jack Kalleberg explore the future of seminary education through Dale Coulter’s article, “The Great Seminary Sorting.” https://protestantmind.com/p/the-great-seminary-sorting They discuss declining enrollment, the rise of nondenominational churches, and how online and hybrid programs are changing theological education.  Could the LCMS expand access to strong confessional teaching while preserving rigorous training and pastoral accountability? What changes would you like to see in how the LCMS prepares future church leaders? Join the conversation in the comments. Support the show ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ Care about the future of the LCMS? Join the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter) ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ To learn more, visit uniteleadership.org

Care about the future of the LCMS? Join the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter) Where does LCMS giving actually go—and how can it strengthen your local church for generations? LCMS Foundation President David Fiedler joins Tim Ahlman and Jack Kalleberg to revisit our conversation about the LCMS giving crisis and share another side of the story. David explains why local congregations are central to donors’ estate plans and how the Foundation distributed $70 million to more than 1,000 LCMS ministries last year. Learn more about the LCMS Foundation: https://www.lcmsfoundation.org Subscribe to Lead Time for conversations about leadership, mission, and the future of the LCMS. Support the show ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ Care about the future of the LCMS? Join the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter) ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ To learn more, visit uniteleadership.org

Join Lead Time+, to discuss topics like these with our growing community of pastors and lay leaders Pastor Anthony Celia joins Tim Ahlman for an honest conversation about pastoral formation, burnout, and trust in the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Now serving St. Paul Church and School in Westport, Connecticut, Anthony shares his journey from an unbelieving teenager to worship leader and pastor through the Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) program, a master’s degree, and General Pastoral Certification. Support the show ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ Care about the future of the LCMS? Join the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter) ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ To learn more, visit uniteleadership.org

Care about the future of the LCMS? Join the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter) What opportunities could your church be missing—in the building it already owns, the generosity of its members, and the plans nobody has started? Patrick Carlove of Legacy Deo joins Tim Ahlman and Jack Kalleberg to explore how LCMS churches can turn overlooked resources into lasting ministry impact. From legacy giving and estate planning to Christian school scholarships and creative uses for church property, this conversation challenges congregations to think beyond the next budget cycle. Connect with Legacy Deo: https://www.legacydeo.org/ Support the show ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ Care about the future of the LCMS? Join the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter) ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ To learn more, visit uniteleadership.org

Join Lead Time+, to discuss topics like these with our growing community of pastors and lay leaders. What does it take to prepare a pastor for the realities of parish ministry? Pastor Ryan Roehrig joins Tim Ahlman to share what ten years of ministry in Iowa—and four years supervising vicars—have taught him about pastoral formation. Ryan reflects on the value of residential seminary, the need for deeper spiritual habits, and why knowing Lutheran theology and understanding a Lutheran congregation aren’t always the same thing. Support the show ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ Care about the future of the LCMS? Join the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter) ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ To learn more, visit uniteleadership.org

Tim Ahlman sits down with Sam Seefeld to explore the turnaround at Trinity Lutheran School in Freistadt, Wisconsin—and what churches and schools across the LCMS can learn from it. Sam shares how building a joyful, Jesus-centered culture, empowering leaders, and expanding services for students with special needs helped transform the school. They discuss why reputation matters, how to navigate difficult conversations, and why pursuing growth doesn’t have to mean compromising Lutheran identity. Support the show ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ Care about the future of the LCMS? Join the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter) ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ To learn more, visit uniteleadership.org

The conversation doesn’t end with this video: In our Lead Time+ continuation, Zach Zehnder gets more direct about the LCMS’s future leadership, the divisions reflected in the survey, and how pastors and laypeople can speak up and participate. Join Lead Time+ to watch the full extended conversation, available now! In this episode of Lead Time - Zach Zehnder joins Tim Ahlman and Jack Kalleberg to unpack the findings, from surprising common ground in worship and sacramental life to disagreements over pastoral formation, women reading Scripture, and congregational freedom. They also explore why younger respondents lean more traditional, how presidential candidate preferences align with other answers, and why convention decisions can feel disconnected from local congregations. Throughout the conversation, one question keeps surfacing: How can Lutherans with different perspectives learn to understand one another and keep walking together? Explore the survey results: https://lcmsdata.com Support the show ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ Care about the future of the LCMS? Join the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter) ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ To learn more, visit uniteleadership.org

What does Bitcoin have to do with your local church? For Jacob Klug, the conversation starts with families struggling to make ends meet, church workers facing rising housing costs, and ministries trying to fund their mission. Tim Ahlman welcomes Jacob, a lifelong LCMS member and former parish administrator, to explore his case for why the church should reconsider its relationship with money. They discuss inflation, stewardship, and Jacob’s vision for church-based Bitcoin federations—communities where members could give, save, and transact through a shared financial framework. Tim brings beginner’s questions: Would this make the church a bank? What about trust, debt, and everyday purchases? And how much can a different monetary system really change when the human heart remains sinful? Whether you’re curious or skeptical, this conversation invites you to consider how money shapes our life together—and what it means to love our neighbors through the resources entrusted to us. Recorded June 15, 2026, before the LCMS convention. References to convention proposals reflect that recording date. Support the show ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ Care about the future of the LCMS? Join the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter) ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ To learn more, visit uniteleadership.org

What happens when a teaching about Jesus raises questions inside a church committed to doctrinal faithfulness? Pastor Doyle Theimer joins Tim Ahlman to discuss the “eternal subordination of the Son”—and why he believes it conflicts with the church’s confession of the Trinity. Doyle recounts his challenge to statements in the Concordia Publishing House book Women Pastors, the revisions he says followed, and why he believes the story still matters for the LCMS. The conversation connects theology to everyday questions about marriage, men and women, authority, and life in the church. Tim and Doyle explore Christ’s divine and human natures, interpretations of 1 Corinthians 11, head coverings, and leadership shaped by sacrificial love. They also discuss how churches can build relationships rooted in joy and trust. Recorded June 11, 2026, before the LCMS convention. References to convention proposals reflect that recording date. Support the show ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ Care about the future of the LCMS? Join the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter) ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ To learn more, visit uniteleadership.org

Care about the future of the LCMS? Join the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter) What if some of the leaders your church needs are already sitting in the pews—waiting for someone to ask? Tim Ahlman welcomes Todd Hornsby, governing board chair at Cornerstone Lutheran Church in Carmel, Indiana, for a practical conversation about developing leaders in the LCMS. Todd shares how he went from reluctantly helping in Sunday school to leading the church’s governing board, and why a personal invitation can uncover gifts people don’t yet recognize in themselves. Support the show ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ Care about the future of the LCMS? Join the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter) ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ To learn more, visit uniteleadership.org

What if some of your church’s greatest opportunities for ministry are sitting in the pews—with the skills to repair a roof, wire a building, or help a struggling neighbor? Rev. Dr. Scott Yakimow joins Tim Ahlman to discuss how the church can recognize and encourage the everyday callings through which Christians serve their communities. Recorded May 11, 2026. References to Crosspoint’s planned launch, CUAA developments, and upcoming convention decisions reflect the conversation at that time. Support the show ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ Care about the future of the LCMS? Join the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter) ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ To learn more, visit uniteleadership.org

Care about the future of the LCMS? Join the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter) Dr. Bruce Hartung joins Tim Ahlman and Jack Kalleberg to unpack new Wellspring research examining the health of senior pastor–associate pastor relationships across the LCMS—and some of the findings are genuinely surprising. See the results here Then the conversation turns to one of the LCMS’s most debated subjects: pastoral formation. According to the data examined in this cohort, researchers found no statistically significant difference between traditional/residential and SMP pastors on the outcomes measured—including senior pastors’ willingness to recommend associates for future senior-pastor roles. What should that mean for the church’s ongoing conversation about pastoral formation, SMP, mentorship, and the development of future leaders? Support the show ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ Care about the future of the LCMS? Join the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter) ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ To learn more, visit uniteleadership.org

The conversation doesn’t end with this episode: In our Lead Time+ continuation, Dave Benke and Tim explore LCMS elections, the United List, divisions over worship, and who shapes the Synod’s direction—and discuss what it could take to rebuild trust and unity. Join Lead Time+ to watch the full extended conversation, available now! In this episode of Lead Time - Twenty-five years after September 11, former LCMS Atlantic District President Rev. Dr. David Benke recounts what he witnessed in New York City, the Lutheran response that followed, and the prayer he offered at Yankee Stadium twelve days after the attacks. Benke shares the story of parents arriving at St. Peter’s covered in ash, the creation of Lutheran Disaster Response of New York, the thousands of grieving families gathered for “A Prayer for America,” and the controversy that followed his public Christian witness. He also reflects on the charges, suspension, trial, personal trauma, and difficult work of refusing to let resentment have the final word. Learn more about Dave Benke and his upcoming book "It’s Okay to Pray", which will be available soon on the following websites: https://alpb.org/ https://itsoktopray.com/ Support the show ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ Care about the future of the LCMS? Join the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter) ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ To learn more, visit uniteleadership.org