Branden Hempelman grew up Lutheran—but for years, it was simply the faith in which he had been raised. Then a theological conversation with a friend sent him back to Scripture with a fundamental question: What do I actually believe about salvation, baptism, election, and the work of Christ?

In this conversation, Branden joins Tim Ahlman to share how studying Scripture led him into a deeper appreciation of confessional Lutheran theology. They explore why salvation must remain entirely God’s work, what the Bible says baptism actually gives, how Christians can understand election without turning inward, and why the Lutheran distinction between Law and Gospel offers profound assurance.

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Tim sits down with Rev. Bob Hiller, senior pastor of Community Lutheran Church in Southern California, content editor for 1517’s Craft of Preaching, co-host of White Horse Inn, and a longtime friend from his Denver Lutheran days. Together they explore why preaching is both the work of the Holy Spirit and a craft that deserves serious preparation.

Bob and Tim discuss collaborative sermon writing, biblical literacy, preaching to a distracted culture, and why Law and Gospel should be the foundation of a sermon rather than a predictable formula imposed on every text. They also wrestle with one-point versus multi-point sermons, the danger of turning proclamation into a lecture, and the responsibility pastors have to honor the attention of their hearers by giving them Christ.

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Artificial intelligence can answer theological questions, draft sermons, automate difficult work, and increasingly imitate human conversation. But can it form a Christian, embody the love of Christ, or replace the church?

Tim sits down with Mark Junkans—author of *The Return of Mystery: Faith in the Age of Machines*—to examine the deeper spiritual questions surrounding AI. They discuss transhumanism, the dream of a “digital god,” AI-generated faith, the loss of critical thinking, and why instant access to information is not the same thing as spiritual formation.

Learn more about Mark’s work with Cross Connect at https://www.crosscm.org/

Mark's Book
https://www.amazon.com/Return-Mystery-Faith-Age-Machines/dp/B0GD7NDY6Z

Like, subscribe, and share this conversation with someone thinking seriously about faith in the age of artificial intelligence.

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What if people aren’t rejecting spiritual conversations—they’re simply waiting for someone willing to have one?

Tim sits down with Rev. Randy Larson, Church Partnerships Director at FiveTwo, to discuss the growing spiritual hunger in our communities and why churches can no longer wait for people to walk through their doors. Randy explains how congregations can build a compelling vision, develop the next generation of leaders, and embrace thoughtful strategy without compromising their biblical mission.

Randy also shares the simple practice that transformed his relationship with his neighbors: taking “five-minute mission trips” across the street. From cultivating a thick skin and soft heart in ministry to bringing the church onto front porches and around fire pits, this conversation offers practical encouragement for pastors and everyday Christians ready to join Jesus in their own neighborhoods.

Learn more about Randy and the work of FiveTwo:
https://fivetwo.com

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Who gets to decide what the Bible means—and how can Christians recognize when an interpretation has crossed the boundaries of historic Christian faith?

Rev. Roland Weisbrot joins Tim Ahlman to explore the regula fidei, or “rule of faith”: the apostolic summary of Christian truth preserved in Scripture, confessed in the historic creeds, and passed down through the worshiping life of the Church. They discuss why sola Scriptura does not mean reading Scripture in isolation, how the creeds protect the Church from theological distortion, and why Christ must remain at the center of all Christian interpretation.

Read Roland’s article

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Why do so many attempts at church change stall, divide congregations, or leave pastors exhausted?

Reverend Dr. Keith Haney joins Tim Ahlman to explain why compelling vision alone isn’t enough. Drawing from his book, Guided by Grace: A Narrative to Lead Organizational Change, Dr. Haney identifies the foundations churches frequently overlook: creating genuine urgency, building a diverse guiding team, defining the destination, measuring meaningful progress, and maintaining relationships when change becomes painful.

Tim and Keith also discuss why servant-hearted pastors can struggle to lead change, the danger of leadership isolation, the value of mentors and coaches, and how churches can remain united across racial and political differences. This is a practical and encouraging conversation for pastors, ministry leaders, and congregation members who want to move their churches forward without losing sight of grace—or one another.

Learn more about Dr. Keith Haney, his writing, and his podcast at https://becomingbridgebuilders.org/

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Why are so many Christians uncomfortable sharing their faith? Randy Loubier believes it’s because we’ve turned evangelism into a formula Jesus never gave us.

Randy spent 50 years as an anti-Christian before personal tragedy led him to open the Bible for himself. What began in Genesis—and unexpectedly came alive in Leviticus—ultimately transformed his life and sent him into the streets to share the hope he had found.

Tim and Randy explore how Jesus approached unbelievers, the proper place of sin and repentance, Lutheran law-and-gospel theology, and simple ways ordinary Christians can bring the love of Christ into grocery stores, workplaces, neighborhoods, and everyday conversations. Evangelism doesn’t have to begin with pressure or a perfectly memorized presentation. It can begin with prayer, curiosity, compassion, and a willingness to notice the person in front of you.

Learn more about Randy’s work and discipleship resources at https://www.72disciples.com/

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Is the church getting distracted by end-times speculation, rapture anxiety, and geopolitical fear?

In this episode of The Tim Ahlman Podcast, Tim sits down with Erick Sorensen from 1517 to talk about Israel, dispensationalism, Revelation, and why Christians should greet Christ's return with hope rather than fear.

The conversation doesn't stop there — Tim and Erick also dig into signs of spiritual awakening in the West, Word and Sacrament ministry, the role of hospitality in a healthy church, why organizational leadership is unavoidable for pastors, navigating change without burnout, and safeguarding ministries from moral failure.

This is a wide-ranging, honest, gospel-centered conversation for pastors, church leaders, and Christians who want clarity, courage, and hope in a confusing time. Jesus is enough — the church is changing, but the core message remains unchanged.

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