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In this special episode of Lead Time, Pastor Tim Ahlman sits down with Pastor Jeff Sutherlin to walk through the LCMS Pastoral Formation Committee’s newly released SMP policy requirements—including the widely debated 40-year-old minimum age, the restrictions on SMP placements, and the implications for the LCMS pastoral shortage.

Together, they process the document line by line—affirming what is good, questioning what is unclear, and challenging the church to think creatively and relationally about raising up new pastors.

With nearly 600 LCMS congregations currently unable to call a pastor, this conversation matters deeply. How do we balance rigor with accessibility? Tradition with innovation? Residential formation with local mentorship? And are these new policies moving the LCMS closer to health—or further away?

Whether you’re a pastor, district leader, seminarian, SMP graduate, or simply care about the future of the church, this episode provides clarity, context, and courage for the conversation ahead.

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Is pastoral formation reform in the LCMS really a “threat to the Synod”?
Pastor Joe Beran joins Tim Ahlman for an honest, thoughtful conversation about fear, change, seminary pathways, SMP restrictions, and why this topic has become so emotionally charged across Lutheran circles.

In this episode, Joe responds directly to concerns raised across the LCMS—especially the claim that conversations around alternative or adaptive pastoral formation models could “threaten the fabric of the Synod.”
We explore what’s actually happening, what people fear losing, and how the church can navigate these conversations with clarity, charity, and courage.

Topics we cover:

Why pastoral formation is so controversial right now
The real fears behind “threat to the Synod” language
How SMP changes impact large and small congregations differently
Residential seminary vs. contextual seminary: what are we actually debating?
Why younger pastors feel misunderstood and unheard
Joe’s experience speaking at the ACELC
The need for honest, public debate in the LCMS
Why the future may require more—not fewer—formation pathways
How we can preserve confessional integrity and raise up more workers

Whether you're an LCMS pastor, delegate, seminarian, church leader, or simply someone trying to understand this conversation, you’ll find clarity, nuance, and hope here.

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Dr. Mychal Thom joins Tim and Jack for a powerful conversation about belonging, Lutheran identity, and the future of Lutheran schools. From his own story of adoption to his leadership at Concordia St. Paul—and now his upcoming role as President & CEO of Faith Lutheran in Las Vegas—Dr. Thom brings wisdom, compassion, and clarity to one of the most important conversations happening in our church today.

We explore:
• The difference between welcoming and belonging
• How Lutheran schools can reflect the communities they serve
• What it means to be missional (not covenantal)
• Why demographic shifts are an opportunity, not a threat
• The simplicity (not simplistic nature) of the Gospel
• How Lutheran identity can remain faithful AND adaptable

Whether you're a pastor, educator, parent, or leader in the LCMS, this episode will challenge, encourage, and inspire you to see the mission of Jesus in a fresh and practical way.

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Why do some LCMS churches thrive—and others decline?
Pastor Thomas Marcis, 36-year pastor of Zion in Bismarck and a Synodical Reconciler, joins Lead Time to talk about church health, conflict, rural ministry, next-gen engagement, and why pastors must get out of their bubble and into the community.

From coaching high school soccer to navigating LCMS conflict processes to preparing for pastoral succession after nearly four decades, Pastor Marcis shares practical, hard-won wisdom every pastor and church leader needs right now.

In this episode:
• The real reasons churches get stuck
• Why conflict shouldn’t surprise us—and how to handle it biblically
• What suburban pastors don’t understand about rural ministry
• How community engagement changes congregational culture
• Generation Z: what they’re really looking for
• Why long-term pastorates create both blessings and blind spots
• Preparing a congregation for pastoral transition
• What the LCMS gets right—and where we need reform

If you care about the future health of the LCMS, this conversation is essential.

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In this episode, Dr. Jamison J. Hardy, President of the Concordia University System, joins Tim to discuss the exciting progress being made across LCMS universities — from record growth in church work enrollment to new scholarship initiatives and strategic partnerships.

Dr. Hardy unpacks the $5,000 Church Work Scholarships, the refocus on Lutheran identity, and how the CUS is working with Set Apart to Serve and the seminaries to strengthen pathways for the next generation of pastors and teachers.

They also discuss:
- The latest on Concordia Ann Arbor
- The push to unite around mission rather than division
- Transparency in the “prior approval” process
- What it really means to uphold “Lutheran identity”
- How the LCMS can move forward together in love, truth, and courage

This candid, hope-filled conversation models how LCMS leaders can engage tough topics with both conviction and grace.

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Information and Registration:
https://www.psd-lcms.org/koinonia-gathering

This special bonus episode of Lead Time features Rev. Dr. Mike Gibson, President of the Pacific Southwest District (LCMS), joining Pastor Tim Ahlman to announce a historic upcoming event — the Koinonia Gathering, January 7–8, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Koinonia Gathering isn’t a debate. It’s a moment for honest, face-to-face conversation among pastors and lay leaders across the LCMS — a space for listening, understanding, and unity in Christ.

Tim and President Gibson unpack:
- The heart and history of the Koinonia Project.
- Why open, charitable dialogue is essential for our Synod’s health.
- What participants can expect from this Las Vegas gathering.

Whether you agree or disagree on issues like pastoral formation, this is an invitation to talk, not type — to model Christlike love in disagreement and pursue the harmony our Synod longs for.

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What if we could see how the LCMS is really doing — district by district?
Today, Pastor Tim Ahlman and Jack Kalleberg sit down with Pastor Jonathan Buescher, who compiled a comparative data study on all 35 LCMS districts — revealing surprising insights about membership, budgets, schools, and new church starts.

They explore:
- Which districts are growing and which are declining
- How funding and schools correlate with church vitality
- The future of circuits and district collaboration
- Why contextualization (not compromise) is key to mission growth
- What the data means for pastors, lay leaders, and the future of the LCMS

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The LCMS is wrestling with a familiar question: are we keeping distinctions or breaking barriers?

What does healthy leadership look like in today’s church?
Dr. Ben Haupt, Global Executive Director of PLI (Pastoral Leadership Institute), joins Tim Ahlman to unpack the powerful “Square and Tower” metaphor — a framework that exposes the tension between movement and institution, freedom and structure, and mission and maintenance in the Church.

Together, they discuss:

- Why both the Square and the Tower are necessary for a thriving LCMS
- How Jesus modeled Kingdom leadership beyond institutional control
- What the early church teaches us about multiplying leaders
- How PLI is equipping thousands globally to lead with courage and adaptability
- The dangers of over-centralization, control, and “over-resourcing”
- Why the next era of ministry demands entrepreneurial discipleship

This episode is a masterclass in adaptive, Spirit-led leadership — especially for pastors and church leaders navigating tension between innovation and tradition.

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