In this episode of the Tim Ahlman Podcast, Tim sits down with Dr. Rachel Ferguson—Director of the Free Enterprise Center at Concordia University Chicago. Together, they explore the intersection of faith, leadership, and economics:

- Why business leaders are vital to the mission of the church
- How fasting, Sabbath practices, and community can shape our spiritual lives
- The history of redlining, fatherlessness, and systemic barriers in America
- Why the Black church has been both a haven and a challenge for integration
- How marketplace innovation and Christian vocation can alleviate poverty and build God’s kingdom

This is a rich conversation for pastors, business leaders, and anyone passionate about how faith impacts both the church and the world.

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Tim sits down with his longtime friend and classmate, Rev. Gene Johnson, to unpack an incredible journey from assistant golf pro, to tour manager for country artist Clay Walker, to now serving as Pastor of Spiritual Formation at Trinity Klein in Houston, TX.

Gene shares lessons learned about leadership, humility, and handling conflict — whether on the golf course, backstage at a concert, or in the local church. He also opens up about parenting a son with significant health challenges, the theology of the cross, and why the Houston Lutheran community has become a hub for church planting and collaboration.

This episode will encourage pastors, leaders, and anyone navigating life’s unexpected turns.

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Why does the Western church struggle to talk about grief, loss, and suffering? Pastor Karl Fay joins Tim Ahlman for a raw and inspiring conversation about faith, art, and the power of walking through brokenness instead of avoiding it.

Karl—an artist, husband, dad, and senior pastor at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church—opens up about:
- Why Western Christians often ignore death and suffering
- How grief and melancholy shape authentic faith
- The surprising ways art can give us language for pain and hope
- Why Jesus Himself should be seen as an artist who transforms suffering into beauty

This episode will challenge your view of grief, faith, and creativity—and may just change how you see the role of art in the church.

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What happens when your life shatters at 30 mph into a telephone pole—and God uses it to reshape your ministry?

In this powerful episode, Tim Ahlman sits down with Pastor Nathan Huse of Peace Lutheran in Tustin, CA. Just five years ago, his church had fewer than 30 people in worship. Today, it’s a vibrant, multi-generational community filled with new believers, baptisms, and revival stories. This is a story of brokenness, resilience, and God’s power to breathe new life into His people and His Church.

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Most LCMS congregations offer some kind of adult education—but is it actually forming mature disciples?

Dr. Mark Blanke joins Tim to unpack decades of research showing why quality matters far more than quantity, the eight best practices of effective adult education, and why small, intentional shifts could radically change faith formation across our Synod. They explore how Jesus’ question-based teaching style outperforms lecture-heavy models, why evaluation is essential, and how congregations can create a clear vision for what a “maturing disciple” looks like. This is a practical, Spirit-led conversation every church leader should hear.

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Unemployment is one of the most disorienting, painful seasons a person can face—yet the church often overlooks it. In this episode, Tim Ahlman sits down with Dale Kreienkamp, author of "How Long, Lord, How Long?", to talk about the emotional and spiritual toll of losing a job, why many believers suffer in silence, and how congregations can be a lifeline in these moments.

Dale shares his own unexpected job loss stories, the lies we believe during unemployment, and practical ways pastors and church members can walk alongside those in transition. This isn’t just about finding the next job—it’s about restoring dignity, hope, and trust in God’s provision.

Whether you’ve been through job loss yourself or want to better care for others in your church, this conversation will open your eyes to a ministry opportunity hiding in plain sight.

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Let’s start having the hard conversations that move the Church forward.

Is church planting just a trendy distraction from revitalization? Or is it exactly what the LCMS needs right now?

In this powerful conversation, Tim Ahlman sits down with Mark and Laura Pulliam—founders of Lazarus Church in Spring, Texas—who planted just 10 weeks before the pandemic… and thrived. Together they confront outdated models of ministry, risk-aversion in Lutheran leadership, and why launching new churches might be our best tool for reaching the de-churched and unchurched.

Hear why their church didn’t worship publicly for 18 months, why being “Lutheran” isn’t always on the sign, and why church planting is more accessible than most think.

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What happens when the rituals that once helped us grieve—viewings, funerals, community gatherings—fade into the background? In this deeply moving episode, Tim sits down with grief expert Julie Lynn Ashley to discuss the Western church’s growing discomfort with death, loss, and mourning.

Why are fewer Christians choosing funerals? Why do we avoid silence and tears? And what simple things can churches do today to care for grieving people with real love and presence?

Whether you’re a pastor, caregiver, or someone walking through loss, this conversation will reshape how you view grief—and the gospel hope that meets us in it.

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