Advertise on podcast: Lead Time

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

When Rev. Seth Davidson arrived at St. John Lutheran Church in Athens, Texas, the congregation averaged around 30 worshipers, had an average age of 71, struggled to make payroll, and appeared to be approaching the end of its ministry. Today, the church is welcoming young families, celebrating baptisms and confirmations, and running out of room. What changed? Seth joins Tim Ahlman to share how patient teaching, courageous leadership, community service, hospitality, and a willingness to challenge congregational idols helped revitalize this rural LCMS church. Support the show ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ Care about the future of the LCMS? Join the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter) ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ To learn more, visit uniteleadership.org

Ask Tim or Jack a question directly by joining our growing community of LCMS lay leaders and pastors: click here. What actually makes worship Lutheran? Is it Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions—or must Lutheran churches also use the same hymnal, liturgy, music and ceremonies? Tim Ahlman and Jack Kalleberg examine the CTCR document Unity in Doctrine and Uniformity and Variety in Practice and confront one of the most persistent tensions in the LCMS: the difference between doctrinal unity and uniformity in worship. They explore the Jerusalem Council, Luther’s response to the radical reformers, the Formula of Concord and the danger of turning beneficial traditions into measures of righteousness. Support the show ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ Care about the future of the LCMS? Join the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter) ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ To learn more, visit uniteleadership.org

Ask Tim or Jack a question directly by joining our growing community of LCMS lay leaders and pastors: click here. Do you think hard conversations that we have publicly on Lead Time are harmful to Christian unity? Tim Ahlman, Tania Hilton, and Jack Kalleberg discuss why laypeople need a meaningful voice in the church, how leaders can create healthier feedback loops, and whether publicly questioning authority violates the Eighth Commandment—or represents necessary Christian accountability. This is an honest conversation about authority, women, institutional preservation, provocative podcasting, and a healthier future for the LCMS—one in which difficult conversations produce greater clarity and unity rather than further division. Support the show ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ Care about the future of the LCMS? Join the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter) ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ To learn more, visit uniteleadership.org

Stay up to date by joining the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter) Drawing from 36 years of leadership at Procter & Gamble and his book Kingdom Leadership, Ron Kelleher joins Tim and Jack to explore how Jesus reshapes the way Christians lead. They discuss servant leadership, integrity, humility, compassionate accountability, stewardship, discernment, prayer, and perseverance—and why these principles produce stronger organizations rather than weaker leaders. Whether you lead a business, ministry, team, classroom, or family, this conversation offers practical guidance for embodying Christ wherever you live, work, and play. Get Ron's Book: https://www.amazon.com/Kingdom-Leadership-Marketplace-Transformative-Faith-Driven/dp/B0GQ3XVLTY 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 Plus and support honest, hopeful, Christ-centered conversations for the future of the Church: https://app.echometric.org/go/lead-time-plus-audio Tim Ahlman and Jack Kalleberg welcome Dylan Owens, manager of the Bulldog Fan Shop and shooting sports coach at Concordia University, Nebraska. Dylan shares his journey from a Southern Baptist and charismatic background into the Lutheran Church, including the questions about Baptism and Communion that initially challenged him—and ultimately helped him discover the assurance and sacramental gifts of confessional Lutheranism. The conversation then turns toward one of the LCMS’s greatest untapped opportunities: identifying, discipling, and empowering gifted laypeople to serve alongside their pastors. Dylan describes how leaders with experience in finance, law, nonprofit development, administration, and other fields helped prepare his congregation to receive a new pastor without placing the entire operational burden on his shoulders. 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 continue the conversation ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ Rev. John Kunze has served Messiah Church and School in Lincoln, Nebraska, for more than 25 years. In this candid conversation, he explains why large congregations face unique ministry challenges—and why he believes their experience, ideas, and missional perspective are often missing from Synod-wide conversations. John, Tim, and Jack discuss representation at LCMS conventions, the growing complexity of Synod governance, pastoral formation through the SMP program, and the financial and relational realities of leading a large church and school. John also shares a remarkable story of reconciliation with a pastor who once publicly criticized his ministry—offering a hopeful picture of what confession, forgiveness, trust, and genuine unity could look like across the LCMS. The episode ultimately asks a much bigger question: Can the LCMS stop fighting over ministry differences long enough to learn from one another and reach more people with the Gospel? Support the show ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ Care about the future of the LCMS? Join the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter) ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ To learn more, visit uniteleadership.org

Stay up to date by joining the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter) What if your congregation doesn’t need to manufacture more missionaries—but simply learn to recognize the people God has already placed there? Tardelli Voss joins Tim Ahlman and Jack Kalleberg to share what is happening through the Lutheran Mission Society San Diego. In just three years, the society has begun working with more than 50 everyday missionaries and helped launch over 20 ministries across San Diego and Tijuana. These aren’t all traditional church plants. They include ministries emerging in neighborhoods, jails, military communities, immigrant communities, and even a potential karate-and-catechism class. Learn more about the Lutheran Mission Society San Diego and support its work at https://www.sdlutherans.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