Lead Time

You Don’t Need a Pulpit to Make a Difference | Scott Yakimow

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. 5th Gospel Podcast What if Christianity’s hardest questions lead us closer to Jesus? Let’s explore Agapē. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ Care about the future of the LCMS? Join the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter) ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ To learn more, visit uniteleadership.org

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New Research on LCMS Pastors Reveals a Surprising Result

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? 5th Gospel Podcast What if Christianity’s hardest questions lead us closer to Jesus? Let’s explore Agapē. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ Care about the future of the LCMS? Join the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter) ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ To learn more, visit uniteleadership.org

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The 9/11 Prayer That Changed the LCMS | Dave Benke

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/ 5th Gospel Podcast What if Christianity’s hardest questions lead us closer to Jesus? Let’s explore Agapē. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ Care about the future of the LCMS? Join the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter) ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ To learn more, visit uniteleadership.org

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How a Rural LCMS Church Grew from 30 to 105

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. 5th Gospel Podcast What if Christianity’s hardest questions lead us closer to Jesus? Let’s explore Agapē. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ Care about the future of the LCMS? Join the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter) ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ To learn more, visit uniteleadership.org

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Has Liturgy Become a Test of Lutheran Identity in the LCMS?

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. 5th Gospel Podcast What if Christianity’s hardest questions lead us closer to Jesus? Let’s explore Agapē. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ Care about the future of the LCMS? Join the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter) ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ To learn more, visit uniteleadership.org

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Can Public Disagreement be Helpful in the LCMS?

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. 5th Gospel Podcast What if Christianity’s hardest questions lead us closer to Jesus? Let’s explore Agapē. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ Care about the future of the LCMS? Join the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter) ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ To learn more, visit uniteleadership.org

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70% of Christians Don’t Know How to Bring Faith into Work!?

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 5th Gospel Podcast What if Christianity’s hardest questions lead us closer to Jesus? Let’s explore Agapē. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ Care about the future of the LCMS? Join the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter) ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ To learn more, visit uniteleadership.org

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Pastors Can’t Do It All: The Biblical Leadership Role the LCMS Needs

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. 5th Gospel Podcast What if Christianity’s hardest questions lead us closer to Jesus? Let’s explore Agapē. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ Care about the future of the LCMS? Join the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter) ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ To learn more, visit uniteleadership.org

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Why Large LCMS Churches Feel Ignored by Synod

⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ 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? 5th Gospel Podcast What if Christianity’s hardest questions lead us closer to Jesus? Let’s explore Agapē. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ Care about the future of the LCMS? Join the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter) ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ To learn more, visit uniteleadership.org

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The LCMS Is Full of Missionaries—So Why Aren’t We Sending Them?

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/ 5th Gospel Podcast What if Christianity’s hardest questions lead us closer to Jesus? Let’s explore Agapē. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ Care about the future of the LCMS? Join the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter) ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ To learn more, visit uniteleadership.org

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Why Faithful Families Are Quietly Leaving the LCMS | Jerry Kieschnick

⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ Join Lead Time+ to continue the conversation ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ Why are faithful families quietly leaving the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod—even when their children still love Jesus, worship faithfully, and raise their own families in the Christian faith? Former LCMS President Rev. Dr. Jerry Kieschnick joins Tim Ahlman and Jack Kalleberg for a candid conversation about the future of the LCMS. Jerry shares the message he prepared—but was not given the opportunity to deliver—at the 2026 LCMS Convention. It begins with the story of one LCMS family whose four adult children remain committed Christians, yet none will attend an LCMS congregation. Can the LCMS remain deeply confessional while becoming more relational, charitable, and missionally focused? Join the conversation—and help us pursue courageous, faithful dialogue for the future of the church. 5th Gospel Podcast What if Christianity’s hardest questions lead us closer to Jesus? Let’s explore Agapē. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ Care about the future of the LCMS? Join the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter) ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ To learn more, visit uniteleadership.org

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Millions Were Given to CUAA. Was the Donor’s Intent Honored? | Casey Salminen

Lead Time was asked to remove this conversation with Casey Salminen concerning Concordia University Ann Arbor. We have done so. In this personal response, Tim Ahlman addresses the decision, acknowledges what he does and does not know, and reflects on the sadness of conflict and litigation among fellow Christians. He emphasizes that the story of CUAA is complex, that no one should be reduced to either hero or villain, and that he continues to pray for Concordia University Wisconsin and Ann Arbor, their leaders, and everyone affected. 5th Gospel Podcast What if Christianity’s hardest questions lead us closer to Jesus? Let’s explore Agapē. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ Care about the future of the LCMS? Join the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter) ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ To learn more, visit uniteleadership.org

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Lead Time Removed Its CUAA Interview with Casey Salminen | Tim Ahlman Responds

Lead Time was asked to remove our recent conversation with Casey Salminen concerning Concordia University Ann Arbor. We have done so. In this personal response, Tim Ahlman addresses the decision, acknowledges what he does and does not know, and reflects on the sadness of conflict and litigation among fellow Christians. He emphasizes that the story of CUAA is complex, that no one should be reduced to either hero or villain, and that he continues to pray for Concordia University Wisconsin and Ann Arbor, their leaders, and everyone affected. But this response is also about something larger: Should difficult matters within the church be discussed publicly? Tim explains why Lead Time has sought to elevate the voices of pastors, commissioned workers, and lay leaders—even when their stories are uncomfortable. 5th Gospel Podcast What if Christianity’s hardest questions lead us closer to Jesus? Let’s explore Agapē. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ Care about the future of the LCMS? Join the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter) ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ To learn more, visit uniteleadership.org

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What “Preach” Actually Means...& More! | Rev. Dr. Mike Middendorf

Stay up to date by joining the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter) What if words Christians use every week—like law, preach, prophecy, confess, obey, sanctification, and sacrament—do not always mean what we assume they mean? Rev. Dr. Mike Middendorf joins Tim Ahlman and Jack Kalleberg to examine how these familiar theological terms are actually used in Scripture. The conversation challenges the idea that preaching belongs only to pastors, prophecy primarily predicts the future, confession is mostly about admitting sin, and sanctification begins with what Christians accomplish. They also explore law and Gospel, the priesthood of all believers, Zionism and dispensationalism, the biblical meaning of Israel, the relationship between pastors, elders and deacons, and why careful exegesis matters for the life of the church. Throughout the conversation, one concern rises above the rest: when Christians misunderstand biblical language, the richness of the Gospel can become obscured. 5th Gospel Podcast What if Christianity’s hardest questions lead us closer to Jesus? Let’s explore Agapē. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ Care about the future of the LCMS? Join the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter) ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ To learn more, visit uniteleadership.org

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This Story Simply MUST Be Shared… | The Carter Nath Story

Join Lead Time+ to continue the conversation This story simply must be shared. Carter Nath was already serving his rural Iowa congregation when its pastor announced his approaching retirement. As two neighboring Lutheran Church Missouri Synod churches searched for a path forward, Carter was willing to pursue pastoral formation and continue serving the people and community he loved. Then he learned that his age could prevent him from entering the Specific Ministry Pastor program. Carter joins Tim Ahlman and Jack Kalleberg to tell the deeply personal story behind an approaching church closure—and to explain what is truly lost when a rural congregation disappears. This is not merely a conversation about institutional policy. It is about people, communities, pastoral formation, and whether the LCMS can develop faithful local leaders before more Gospel outposts reach their final Sunday. Carter’s story deserves to be heard by anyone who cares about rural ministry, the pastoral shortage, and the future of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. If you have a story to share, email: tahlman@cglchurch.org 5th Gospel Podcast What if Christianity’s hardest questions lead us closer to Jesus? Let’s explore Agapē. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ Care about the future of the LCMS? Join the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter) ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ To learn more, visit uniteleadership.org

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The Culture War Won’t Save Us: Faithful Ministry in Post-Christian America

Join Lead Time+ to continue the conversation: https://app.echometric.org/go/lead-time-plus-audio Learn more about Lead Time+: https://www.uniteleadership.org/support/leadtimeplus In a hyper-political, post-Christian culture, what is the church actually called to do? Should Christians retreat from the world, fight to reclaim the culture through political power, or continually adapt the church’s message to fit whatever society currently values? Minnesota South District President Lucas Woodford joins Tim Ahlman and Jack Kalleberg for a wide-ranging conversation about faithful ministry in a rapidly changing America. They explore the dangers of allowing the church to be co-opted by political parties, the difference between healthy contextualization and reshaping Christianity around a target market, and why modern secularism may be less atheistic than it is a return to ancient paganism. Lucas also explains why Christians are not called to evangelize a collapsing culture, but to bring the hope of Christ to the people living within it. The conversation examines Lutheran worship, cowboy and culturally specific churches, the work of the Holy Spirit, pastoral formation in the LCMS, institutional adaptation, and what it means to be “in the world and of the Word.” The culture may be changing—but the Word of God still works. Where the Word is sown, its culture is grown. 5th Gospel Podcast What if Christianity’s hardest questions lead us closer to Jesus? Let’s explore Agapē. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ Care about the future of the LCMS? Join the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter) ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ To learn more, visit uniteleadership.org

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LCMS Pastor Shortage Continues to Grow. What Has to Change?

Join Lead Time+ to continue the conversation Learn more about Lead Time+: https://www.uniteleadership.org/support/leadtimeplus The LCMS needs more pastors—but can it expand the pastoral pipeline without sacrificing theological depth? Rev. Dr. Andrew Bartelt and Rev. Dr. James Voelz join Tim Ahlman to trace the history of DELTO and the Specific Ministry Pastor program, explain why SMP was never designed to be equivalent to a residential MDiv, and confront the growing tension between maintaining rigorous formation and reaching congregations and communities that lack pastoral leadership. The conversation moves beyond filling vacant pulpits to ask what the church’s entire ministry ecosystem could become. Could deacons and evangelists recover meaningful roles? Should SMP lead into broader certification or an online MDiv? How can residential education, contextual formation, and lifelong supervision complement one another rather than compete? The church must get the message right—and get the message out. This conversation explores what may need to change for the LCMS to do both. 5th Gospel Podcast What if Christianity’s hardest questions lead us closer to Jesus? Let’s explore Agapē. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ Care about the future of the LCMS? Join the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter) ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ To learn more, visit uniteleadership.org

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The Convention Pushes Back | Elections, Worship & Lutheran Identity

Join Lead Time+ Learn more about Lead Time+ One of the clearest moments of pushback at the LCMS Convention came when the body rejected a proposal that would have moved the Synod presidential election to the convention floor—choosing instead to preserve and strengthen the broader congregational voting process. Jack Kalleberg and Pastor Joe Beran explain why that vote mattered, what it revealed about authority and trust within the LCMS, and how President Harrison handled a result that went against the committee’s recommendation. They also enter the deeper debate underneath several convention decisions: Is Lutheran identity defined by Scripture and the Confessions alone, or is it also connected to a particular style of worship? What should worship look like at the Concordias? Is the LCMS prepared to reach people across America’s different cultures—or are we asking people to first conform to a culture we have labeled “Lutheran”? The episode concludes with the complicated relationship between the LCMS and the AALC, the limits of what delegates were able to know before voting, and a reminder that even through a messy convention process, Jesus remains Lord of His 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

Unity or Uniformity? What the 2026 LCMS Convention Is Revealing (Day 4)

Join Lead Time+ Learn more about Lead Time+: https://www.uniteleadership.org/support/leadtimeplus Recorded on location at the 2026 LCMS Convention, Jack sits down with Joe Beran for an immediate and honest reflection on what the convention floor is revealing about the direction of the church body. Why do floor committee recommendations carry so much weight? What did the difficult Simple Seminary and Jeffrey Kloha exchange reveal about the way disagreement is handled? And is the LCMS pursuing healthy unity—or moving toward greater uniformity in ministry practice? Jack and Joe discuss pastoral formation, the growing weight of synodical bylaws and resolutions, the newly created worship committee, contextual ministry, proposed changes to the presidential election process, and the realization that entrepreneurial ministry voices may represent a passionate minority within the Synod. Can the LCMS remain deeply confessional while giving faithful leaders the freedom to reach different communities in different ways? Support the show ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ Care about the future of the LCMS? Join the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter) ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ To learn more, visit uniteleadership.org

600+ Empty Pulpits—What Is the LCMS Plan? | Convention Day 2 and 3 Debrief

Join Lead Time+ Learn more about Lead Time+: https://www.uniteleadership.org/support/leadtimeplus Recorded across two days at the LCMS Convention in Phoenix, this 2 part special Lead Time episode captures the conversation both before and after one of the convention’s most consequential debates. Tim Ahlman and Joe Beran discuss the reaffirmation of residential seminary as the LCMS’s primary and preferred pathway for pastoral formation, the convention’s response to unauthorized formation partnerships, and the urgent reality of hundreds of empty pulpits. Can the church maintain rigorous, confessional formation while continuing to explore faithful ways of meeting the leadership needs already confronting local congregations? The conversation also moves beyond resolutions and institutional policy. Tim and Joe address labels, caricatures, communion practice, LCMS history, the future of SMP, and the “narcissism of small differences” that can cause Christians who agree on nearly everything to treat one another as enemies. How can the LCMS disagree honestly, guard its confession, raise up more workers, and continue walking together in love? Share your perspective in the comments—and remember that faithful reform should never produce unhealthy zeal, contempt, or division inside the local church. 5th Gospel Podcast What if Christianity’s hardest questions lead us closer to Jesus? Let’s explore Agapē. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ Care about the future of the LCMS? Join the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter) ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ To learn more, visit uniteleadership.org

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