The LCMS wrestles with real division — often labeled “confessional vs. missional.” But is the deeper tension actually between Barrier Breakers and Distinction Keepers?

In this episode, Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller joins Tim and Jack for an honest dialogue about the state of the Synod — and whether conversations like this podcast are helping or hurting. Together they explore:

- What drives “barrier breakers” and “distinction keepers”
- Why polarization happens inside the church
- How confession and absolution can restore unity

👉 We want to hear from you: Is this podcast part of the solution or the problem?

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Across the LCMS and beyond, the average congregation hovers around 50 in worship. Why is this the case—and what can be done about it?

In this Lead Time conversation, Tim Ahlman sits down with Rev. David Patterson (Institute of Lutheran Theology) to dig into the deeper issues behind church decline and revitalization. Together they explore:

• The real indicators of a congregation’s health (it’s not money or attendance).
• Why many churches remain “stuck” despite good intentions.
• How Ephesians 4 points to a path forward—knitting the body together in Christ.
• The role of humility, unity, and truth-telling in revitalization.

This is a candid look at the challenges facing Lutheran congregations today—and the hope that still exists for renewal through the Spirit of God.

👉 Share this with a leader or member who needs encouragement about the future of the church.

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In this episode of Lead Time, Tim Ahlman returns from sabbatical with a candid conversation about the changing landscape of ministry in the LCMS. From re-organizing senior staff and shifting governance models, to the biblical case for pastoral sabbaticals, to the urgent realities of pastoral formation, this episode doesn’t shy away from the hard questions.

Tim shares personal reflections from his sabbatical and his upcoming book release, while Jack dives into the tough realities facing small congregations, bivocational ministry, and the need for fresh approaches to leadership. Together they recap the Pacific Southwest District convention, explore resolutions around SMP pastors and Lutheran identity, and call the church to unity rooted in Scripture and Confession.

👉 Topics include:

Why Christ Greenfield restructured its leadership model.
The benefits of sabbaticals for pastors (and congregations).
Governance models that help or hinder ministry.
Urgent challenges in pastoral formation and SMP pathways.
What really defines Lutheran identity.
How property development and mission innovation can shape the future.

This is a hopeful yet challenging look at where we are and where we’re headed as the LCMS seeks to unite for the sake of the gospel.

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The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod often talks about vocation—but are we living it out? In this powerful episode, Tim Ahlman and Jack Kalleberg sit down with Dr. Travis Guse, executive coach and author of Called to Be, to challenge the assumption that “calling” is only for pastors and church workers.

Travis shares his journey through burnout, identity crisis, and rediscovering Luther’s radical teaching that every baptized believer has a holy calling—whether they’re pastors, parents, accountants, or baristas. The conversation explores:

✅ Why so many in the LCMS struggle with identity and purpose
✅ How Luther’s view of vocation can transform ordinary life
✅ Why coaching may be the key to raising up healthier leaders and congregations
✅ The controversial question: Does the LCMS undervalue the callings of everyday believers?

This episode will make you rethink what it means to follow Jesus in the LCMS—and why discovering your God-given calling may be the most urgent issue facing the church today.

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If you care about the future of the LCMS, you won’t want to miss this one.
Your perspective matters, let's have discussion that honors Christ!

New LCMS data reveals a stunning reality: nearly three-quarters of congregations worship fewer than 100 people each week. Tim and Jack unpack what this means for the future of our pastors, our mission, and our very identity as a church body. Are we facing an “emerging emergency” in staffing, sustainability, and representation? From micro-church struggles to the influence of large congregations, this candid conversation doesn’t shy away from the hard truths — and the hopeful opportunities.

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If you care about the future of the LCMS, you won’t want to miss this one.

🔔 Save Lead Time to your library for real talk about leading in the LCMS today. Your perspective matters, let's have discussion that honors Christ!

As the LCMS heads into another round of district and national conventions, big questions loom: Who actually holds influence in shaping our Synod’s future? Pastor Tim Ahlman sits down with Emily Pacyga and Josh Salzberg for a behind-the-scenes look at overtures, resolutions, and the politics of convention floor committees.

From lay delegate engagement to the missing voices of commissioned ministers, from “omnibus” rejections to open hearings, this candid conversation wrestles with participation, representation, and whether the LCMS truly welcomes diverse perspectives.

Whether you’re a seasoned delegate, a curious layperson, or someone who’s never heard the word “overture” before, this episode pulls back the curtain on how decisions are made—and how YOU can have a seat at the table.

📌 Topics include:
Why many LCMS members don’t understand (or use) their full voting power
How overtures get killed in “omnibus” before ever being discussed
The politics of floor committees and representation
Ideas for giving commissioned ministers a real voice
Building coalitions for meaningful change in the LCMS

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Subscribe to Lead Time for real talk about leading in the LCMS today.

Why are so many LCMS churches stuck in cycles of insecurity, burnout, and unhealthy culture? In this episode, Dr. Kirk Triplett joins Tim Ahlman and Jack Kalleberg to expose the deeper issues plaguing leadership culture in the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. From toxic feedback loops to forgotten celebration, from unclear mission to constant comparison—this conversation digs deep into what’s quietly killing joy and mission in our churches.

We explore:
- How the LCMS avoids clarity by hiding behind “love God, love people”
- The difference between behavioral values and organizational values
- Why too many pastors are driven by insecurity and the 2% who complain
- What the church can learn from Starbucks, big toes, and baby baptisms

It’s time to rest, rejoice, and relax—without losing momentum.

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Whether you're a traditionalist, a missional reformer, or somewhere in between, this episode will challenge your assumptions and stir your heart for unity, clarity, and bold gospel witness.

Rod Zwonitzer—a second-career pastor with a background in corporate marketing—joins Lead Time to drop some hard truth: the LCMS is great at feeding the sheep but terrible at fishing for the lost. In this rich, candid conversation, Rod explores the tension between doctrinal purity and outreach, confessional liturgy and contemporary music, and why the term “church growth” sends some Lutherans into panic mode.

From defending contemporary worship (with his Stratocaster in hand) to later questioning whether pop culture fits in the sanctuary, Rod shares his journey through marketing, ministry, and the Book of Proverbs—all while urging the church to stop fighting and start fishing.

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Join the Lead Time Newsletter! (Weekly Updates and Upcoming Episodes)
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