Lead Time

Imagine the intricacies of stewardship in the church, laid bare in a riveting conversation with Joel Landskroener, Executive Director at Mayer Lutheran High School. From his unique upbringing as the son of a pastor to his pivotal role in fundraising and development work in schools, Joel provides a fresh perspective on the significance of stewardship and resource management within the church.  This...

Join us for a fascinating conversation with Jonathan Schultz, the president of Concordia Publishing House. Jonathan's journey, from a home rooted deep in faith to serving as a volunteer missionary in Guatemala, is a testament to his devotion to the church. His experiences have moulded him into a leader whose influence extends across various entities of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.  Eve...

Faith and music intersect in the most fascinating ways! Let us take you on a captivating journey with our guest, Grammy-nominated and Stellar award-winning hip-hop artist, Flame. He shares with us how rap has not only shaped his career but also helped him memorize scripture and excel academically. We explore the fascinating science behind this and how music can be used as a powerful tool for spiri...

Get ready for a compelling discussion with Pastor Joe Beran as we journey into the heart of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS). We're cracking open the pages of Pastor Joe's new book, The Ends of the LCMS, as we delve into the modern challenges and transformational power of faith. This podcast is an exploration into the changing role of pastors and the profound impact of societal...

What do the ancient scriptures reveal about Israel's role in the modern world? Grasp the complexity of this enigma as we sit down with Pastor Jeff Sutherland from Christ Greenfield and seasoned professor Reverend Dr. Mike Middendorf from Concordia University. We navigate through the maze of history, tracing Israel's captivity across different eras, and unraveling how the Abrahamic covena...

Can the decline of churches and pastors in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) be part of God's grand design? Join us in an engaging conversation with our longtime friend and listener, Andy Warner, who brings this intriguing concept to light. As a former Director of Christian Education who transitioned into a software engineer, Andy's personal journey within the LCMS provides a uni...

Imagine a church culture rooted in trust and love, where fear and division are things of the past. It sounds beautiful, doesn't it? That's the vision Reverend Tom Eggebrecht, a senior vice president of Ministry Solutions at the Lutheran Church Extension Fund, shared with us in our latest conversation. Reverend Tom's insights on leadership and culture within the Lutheran Church are a...

Embark with us on this enlightening journey as we explore the 20-year trends of the Lutheran Church of Missouri Synod. We'll be pulling insights, dissecting the characteristics of adaptive leaders, and understanding the fine balance between managing stress, taking calculated risks, and maintaining a sense of security. Leadership is more about caretaking than you think, and we're here to...

Who better to unpack the role of meaningful dialogue in understanding the complexities of faith than Pastor Jason Braaten ? As we sit down with Jason, he shares his passionate journey into ministry and his firm belief that engaging in deep, thoughtful conversations can not only bring clarity to our faith but also help to apply the Word of Truth effectively. We don't debate or argue in this co...

Imagine taking a deep dive into the theological roots of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, guided by the incredibly knowledgeable Reverend Dr. Rick Serena. Join us as we embark on an enlightening journey from the Evangelical Baptist churches to the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. We'll discuss the joy of discovering Reformation theology, the challenges of raising teenagers in a post-Christi...

Have you ever pondered the deep roots of the Lutheran Church or how technology has reshaped our worship communities? Join us as we traverse these fascinating topics with Dr. Gretchen Jameson, a seasoned member of the LCMS. Gretchen sheds light on her longing to resurrect certain values within the church, and offers thought-provoking reflections on the balance of maintaining a 'village mentali...

Immerse yourself in the transformative journey of the Reformation with our esteemed guest, Reverend Dr. Robert Kolb. Dr. Robert A. Kolb is a professor emeritus of Systematic Theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Kolb retired in 2009 after 16 years of distinguished service as missions professor of Systematic Theology. He also previously served as the director of the Seminary’s Institute for Mi...

Dr. Justin Hannemann, founder of Grace Point Institute for Relational Health settles in for a deep and enlightening conversation. We uncover layers of his life as a husband, father, leader, and advocate for relational health. Together, we examine how relational health sits at the core of our connection with God, ourselves, and others, and how Grace Point Institute is helping mend the scars left by...

Prepare to navigate the evolution of the Unite Leadership Collective (ULC) alongside Tania Hilton and Renee Bennett. Experience first-hand the excitement shared as we explore how the ULC's mission, vision, and values are continuously advancing. Listen closely as discussions delve into the ULC's mission, focusing on equipping the priesthood of all believers through world-class leadership...

What if the discipline and hard work you put in playing sports could be translated into a fruitful ministry? Join us in a captivating conversation with Peter Nafzger , a professor at Concordia Seminary, as we explore this exciting intersection between sports and ministry. Pete carries an enthralling perspective on sports and teamwork, which he relates beautifully to collaboration in ministry. We r...

What does the future hold for Christian congregations and pastoral formation? A stimulating conversation with Reverend Dr. Chris Holder, a catalytic church planner and lead pastor at Bethel Lutheran, paints a vivid picture of this future. We explore Unite Leadership Collective's vision of equipping the priesthood of all believers and discuss unconventional routes for formation, the merits of...

How do you bridge the gap between academic theology and the real-world needs of a diverse, modern congregation? That's the question we're answering with guests Chris Croghan and Sarah Stenson from Luther House of Study, and Dr. Ryan Bredow of Grand Canyon University. Together, we dissect the discrepancies between the academic environment and the real needs of students venturing into the...

Jim Marriott, a committed musician, theologian, and pastor passionately reminisces about his lifelong journey with music and ministry. He shares about his childhood surrounded by church musicians, his love for the organ, and how his role as a director of music arts at Concordia Seminary was influenced by his work as a parish musician. Intrigued by the 'worship wars'? We delve into Jim&ap...

Ever wonder what it takes to prepare for a large-scale church convention? Well, you're in for a treat as we sit down with lay delegate Jerry Rau. Jerry gives us an inside look at the intensity and extensive preparation that went into the LCMS convention. From the surprising amount of paperwork to the intricate workings of a church voting meeting involving 2000 individuals, we get a privileged...

Get ready to be enlightened as we welcome Brady Finnern, the insightful district president of the Minnesota North District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Brady pulls back the curtain on the intense world of the Synod Convention, emphasizing the significance of diverse perspectives and representative voices. He shares his enlightening reflections on traditional worship and the captivating d...

Today we're joined by Reverend Dick Koehneke , an experienced voice and guiding force in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Reverend Koehneke sheds light on his conviction that God calls us to be faithful to whatever is put before us, a belief he nurtured through his admirable journey serving in various congregations, his tenure at the Commission on Ministerial Growth and Support, and his in...

On today’s episode, we have an open and engaging conversation with Reverend Bill Hartley, who takes us through his unique faith journey - from the Jesus movement in the 70s, through various evangelical churches, and finally to the Lutheran Church. His recounting of both the triumphs and trials he’s experienced reveals his deep love for God and the theological depth of Lutheranism itself.  As we jo...

Get a backstage pass to the diverse and Christ-centered community of Concordia Texas as we sit down with Reverend Jacob Boessling, the Campus Pastor. Discover the unique dynamics among the student body, the challenges faced by first-generation college-goers, and how Concordia maintains a welcoming, inclusive environment with Jesus at its center. Reverend Jake also shares an intriguing perspective...

In today's bonus episode, we grapple with the stimulating debates surrounding 'The Zeal of His House' and the 'Worship Wars,' or pondering the complexity of roles between the pastor and the layperson in the LCMS culture. That's just a taste of our fascinating exploration in this episode. We pull apart the often-confused terms 'traditional' and 'liturgic...

What does it take to lead with kindness, courage, and wisdom amidst the trials and tribulations of our time? Reverend Dr. Tim Klinkenberg paints an inspiring picture in our enlightening conversation about his journey. From humbly playing football to receiving pastoral affirmation and now spearheading critical conversations ahead of the LCMS convention, Tim's dedication to Jesus and his love f...