The latest LCMS nomination results may reveal far more than just who might become the next president.

Stay up to date by Joining the LCMS Current!
(LCMS Current Events Newsletter)
https://www.uniteleadership.org/thelcmscurrent

In this episode of LEAD TIME, Tim Ahlman and Jack Kalleberg break down what the vote totals could mean for the future trajectory of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Looking beyond the surface, they explore the deeper story behind the data: institutional stability, declining participation, leadership pipelines, and the growing pastoral shortage facing the church.

Is the LCMS signaling a desire to preserve the status quo? Or are deeper structural challenges forcing change in the decades ahead?

Tim and Jack discuss five major implications emerging from the nomination data—including why participation matters, why leadership networks may shape the future more than elections, and what this means for pastors, congregations, and mission in the years ahead.

This conversation is candid, thoughtful, and ultimately hopeful about how God continues to work through faithful congregations and leaders across the LCMS.

If you care about the future of the church, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. And if you got something out of this, share It with a friend.

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What is the “American Interim” — and is the Church compromising its identity?

In this episode of LEAD TIME, Pastor Tim Ahlman sits down with Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Kloha (Dean for the Center for Missional & Pastoral Leadership) to thoughtfully respond to Rev. Karl Hess's presentation, “Pastoring Under the American Interim.”

See the video here:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=0IizshrQn9E

Together they explore:
- What is a Lutheran hermeneutic?
- Is Enlightenment liberalism replacing Christianity?
- Is equality a false god?
- Did the Church surrender during COVID?
- How should Christians think about slavery in Scripture?
- Are we soaking in secular assumptions without realizing it?

Rather than reacting emotionally, this conversation returns again and again to the central question:

How do we interpret Scripture faithfully in our cultural moment?

Dr. Kloha reminds us that our context may look less like 16th-century Europe and more like the world of the New Testament — pluralistic, politically complex, and spiritually contested.

And in that world, what did the apostles do?

They preached Christ.

This episode is not about winning political arguments.
It’s about guarding the gospel.
It’s about understanding narrative vs. prescription in Scripture.
It’s about loving neighbor while remaining faithful to Christ.

If you’ve wrestled with these tensions in your congregation, this conversation will equip you with clarity, charity, and courage.

Stay up to date by Joining the LCMS Current!
(LCMS Current Events Newsletter)
https://www.uniteleadership.org/thelcmscurrent

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Visit uniteleadership.org

What is God’s mission? Sounds like a simple question.

In this episode of LEAD TIME, Tim and Jack sit down with veteran missiologist, Rev. Dr. Bob Scudieri to unpack the theology, history, and controversy surrounding mission in the LCMS.

From the early church to Walther and Grabau, from Constantine to today’s debates about the priesthood of all believers, this conversation goes deep.

Is the mission of God (Missio Dei) central to the church—or does emphasizing mission threaten doctrinal clarity? Why has fear sometimes replaced boldness? And what would it look like for the LCMS to truly reflect Matthew 28 in 2050?

Bob shares decades of experience in parish ministry, national leadership, church planting, and ethnic outreach—along with practical wisdom for congregations ready to step into courageous mission.

If you care about doctrine, discipleship, and reaching the nations next door, this episode is for you.

Stay up to date by Joining the LCMS Current!
(LCMS Current Events Newsletter)
https://www.uniteleadership.org/thelcmscurrent

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the show

Visit uniteleadership.org