Lead Time

Is the LCMS truly facing a pastoral shortage — or do we have too many pastors and too few people in the pews? In this bold Lead Time episode, Tim Ahlman and Jack Kalleberg sit down with Tim Wood (Ad Crucem, CSL Regent) to confront the uncomfortable realities shaping the Missouri Synod’s future.They tackle:- Why Lutheran churches have lost half their membership in 25 years.- Whether our law/gospel preaching model has fallen into a predictable rut.- The shocking case for consolidating congregations and “right-sizing” the pastoral field.- How biblical illiteracy is crippling the next generation of Lutherans.This candid conversation isn’t about tearing down — it’s about telling the truth in love, so we can chart a faithful future. Whether you agree or disagree, these are the questions the LCMS can’t afford to ignore.Support the showVisit uniteleadership.org

Most LCMS circuits struggle with collaboration—but not Pastor Joshua Reber’s. In this success story, Josh shares how his circuit has built healthy rhythms, a thriving newsletter, men’s retreats, and real theological dialogue that bring pastors and congregations closer together.In this episode, Tim and Jack sit down with Josh to explore:- What makes circuit collaboration thrive.- Why pastoral wellness matters for the whole church.- The surprising power of Sabbath rest and holistic health.- How preaching and sermon evaluation can sharpen pastors.- Why faithfulness, not results, is the ultimate goal.This conversation is both honest about the challenges and hopeful about what’s possible when circuits work together in the LCMS.Support the showVisit uniteleadership.org

This special Lead Time episode is unlike any other. Pastor Tim Ahlman is joined by his father, Pastor Dave Ahlman, to reflect on the tragic recent events shaking our nation—the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the stabbing in Charlotte, and the weight of remembering September 11th.Together, father and son wrestle with the hard questions: Where is God in the midst of evil? How do Christians make sense of senseless violence? How do we hold on to hope when the world feels dark?Drawing deeply from scripture and their own pastoral experiences, Tim and Dave share honest grief, the promise of Christ’s victory over death, and a call to courageous faith. This is a conversation for anyone searching for hope, perspective, and peace in a time of great uncertainty.🙏 Join us as we remember, reflect, and cling to the eternal hope of Jesus Christ.Support the showVisit uniteleadership.org

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?Support the showVisit uniteleadership.org

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.Support the showVisit uniteleadership.org

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.Support the showVisit uniteleadership.org

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.Support the showVisit uniteleadership.org

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.Support the showVisit uniteleadership.org

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 powerHow overtures get killed in “omnibus” before ever being discussedThe politics of floor committees and representationIdeas for giving commissioned ministers a real voiceBuilding coalitions for meaningful change in the LCMSSupport the showVisit uniteleadership.org

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 baptismsIt’s time to rest, rejoice, and relax—without losing momentum.Support the showVisit uniteleadership.org