Lead Time

The prior approval process for LCMS leaders lacks transparency and is creating distrust and division when qualified candidates are removed without explanation. Family dysfunction in the church is exacerbated when decisions are made without clarity.

Pat Ferry, Bill Cario, and Tim Ahlman discuss the topic at length:

• Two distinct processes exist for presidents versus theology faculty appointments
• Presidential approval requires sign-off from two of three key leaders: LCMS President, District President, and CUS board chair
• Theology faculty approvals follow a different, increasingly unclear process
• Concordia Wisconsin's presidential search illustrates the challenges when preferred candidates are rejected without explanation
• Leaders advocate for transparency while maintaining appropriate church oversight
• Relational trust is broken when decisions are made without discussing rationales
• Worship practices and associations may impact eligibility without explicit guidelines
• The process has evolved over decades with decreasing clarity in recent years

We need to continue working together for greater transparency. If we're going to break down walls between us, even little ones, we have to work at it together.

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Tim and Jack explore why developing church leaders locally is both biblical and essential for church health and growth.

• The urgent need for leadership in the post-Christian, secular American context
• Sustainable leadership training that is robust, affordable, and accessible
• Cultural relevance – locally developed leaders understand their communities intuitively
• Biblical foundations from Exodus 18 (Jethro and Moses), Acts 6 (appointment of deacons), and Paul's instructions to Timothy and Titus
• The community impact of having leaders with deep relational connections
• Creating leadership pipelines for long-term church stability
• The challenge of current LCMS systems that limit succession planning
• How technology can help deliver robust theological education without compromising quality

Go to theuniteleadership.org to create your free login for exclusive material and resources and explore ways to sponsor an episode.

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To learn more, visit uniteleadership.org

Jim Sanft, President and CEO of Concordia Plan Services, breaks down the differences between single-employer church plans and multiple-employer denominational benefit programs like CPS. He offers crucial insights on how CPS's governance structure provides strong protection for LCMS workers' retirement security.

• Addressing a recent Wall Street Journal article about problems in church retirement plans
• Why CPS's planned retirement contribution increases demonstrate proactive governance, not underlying problems
• The economic and ministerial benefits of investing in church worker wellness initiatives
• How CPS's multiple-employer approach provides protection and advantages individual congregations couldn't achieve alone
• Upcoming district health strategies that will bring wellness initiatives to the local level
• The importance of lay leaders creating a culture that supports worker wellness
• Jim's announcement of his planned retirement at the end of 2026 and the succession planning underway

Connect with Jim at [email protected] to learn more about CPS services or to discuss church worker wellness initiatives.

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Care about the future of the LCMS?
Join the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter)
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To learn more, visit uniteleadership.org

Pastor Andrew Jones shares insights on unity within the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, exploring how harmony functions differently from uniformity and creates a more beautiful expression of Christ's body.

• Concordia (harmony) creates beauty through diversity of notes working together rather than identical sounds
• Musical metaphors illuminate church dynamics—dissonance and resolution both necessary for beautiful music
• Vulnerability in leadership creates safety and authenticity rather than maintaining false facades
• Curiosity about different expressions of faith builds understanding and appreciation across differences
• The prior approval process needs greater transparency to build trust and protect church leaders
• Churches facing decline must process grief before creating new visions for the future
• Post-pandemic ministry requires adapting to new realities like online worshippers becoming in-person members
• Community-facing spaces create opportunities for connection beyond traditional church activities

Find Andy's books "10 Questions to Ask Every Time you Read the Bible" and "10 Lies Satan Loves to Tell" wherever books are sold, and subscribe to his newsletter at biblecurious.substack.com

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Care about the future of the LCMS?
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To learn more, visit uniteleadership.org

We explore the theological and practical foundations for creating an invitation culture in your church and why it's essential for long-term growth and sustainability.

• Churches often resist growth because people fear change and want to maintain personal relationships with everyone
• The church uniquely transforms people from consumers to contributors, unlike any other organization
• Three ways to bring people to church: announcements, invitations, and hospitality systems
• "Easy evangelism" means anyone can participate by simply inviting friends without needing theological expertise
• Identify 9 invitational opportunities throughout the year, with Christmas and Easter being natural starting points
• Create attractional sermon series that balance solid theological content with themes that interest non-believers
• Set realistic guest goals based on your church size (aim for annual guests equaling your average weekly attendance)
• Equip 10% of your congregation annually through deeper evangelism training like Everyone His Witness or Alpha
• Authenticity matters - people respond when formation is about equipping them for mission, not checking boxes
• Remember growth is an "infinite game" - there's always more to do but each step forward matters

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Care about the future of the LCMS?
Join the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter)
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To learn more, visit uniteleadership.org

Discover actionable church marketing strategies to boost attendance and connect with your community. This episode emphasizes the importance of authentic outreach in today's changing landscape. 

• Discusses the significance of church marketing for growth 
• Shares three key outreach strategies: announcements, invitations, and hospitality 
• Details the role of your church website as a welcome hub 
• Explores the importance of analytics in measuring engagement 
• Advises on setting marketing goals and budgets for effective outreach 

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Care about the future of the LCMS?
Join the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter)
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To learn more, visit uniteleadership.org

A heartfelt journey of ministry transformation emerges as we chat with Pastor James Whatley, who shares vital insights on stepping away from traditional paths to establish a thriving church community. With an emphasis on risk-taking, emotional health, and an inviting culture, this conversation explores the interplay of faith and growth in contemporary ministry.

- Introduction to James Whatley and his ministry background
- The significance of community engagement and relationship building
- Challenges faced within the LCMS structure and decision-making
- Embracing risk and discomfort for church renewal
- Importance of emotional health in pastoral leadership
- Strategies for creating an inviting church culture
- The gap between local congregational urgency and denominational focus
- Insights on ministry's adaptability to modern culture
- Final encouragements on fostering openness and outreach

If you find this podcast helpful, please share it with your family, friends, and neighbors, especially those in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod who are praying for us to unite to reach people with the gospel.

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Join the Lead Time Newsletter! (Weekly Updates and Upcoming Episodes)
https://www.uniteleadership.org/lead-time-podcast#newsletter

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The episode delves into the significance of branding in church ministry, emphasizing how identity and storytelling play crucial roles in reaching new audiences. Church leaders are encouraged to rethink their approach to branding, ensuring alignment between mission statements and the experiences they provide.

• Emphasis on the holistic nature of branding for churches 
• Importance of storytelling in conveying church identity 
• Disconnection between mission statements and lived experiences 
• Tips for creating accessible and inviting church websites 
• Recognition of branding as an ongoing, evolving process

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Care about the future of the LCMS?
Join the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter)
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To learn more, visit uniteleadership.org

Rev. Dr. Dale Meyer shares his profound insights on faith, ministry, and the church's evolving role in a rapidly changing world. He emphasizes the significance of building genuine relationships within local congregations and encourages leaders to embrace adaptability while reflecting on their vocation and the importance of community outreach. 

• Highlighting the importance of relationships in ministry 
• Discussing changes in parish ministry over the decades 
• The impact of digital media and the need for local congregations 
• Addressing issues of confession and accountability in the church 
• Viewing retirement as a spiritual preparation for eternal life 
• The necessity of good works as expressions of faith

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Care about the future of the LCMS?
Join the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter)
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To learn more, visit uniteleadership.org

This episode explores the current challenges and opportunities in pastoral formation within the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. Tim and Jack discuss the significance of seminary education, the necessity of embracing bivocational ministry, and innovative strategies for leadership development amid cultural change.

• Understanding liminal space in modern church leadership 
• Emphasizing unity within LCMS despite passionate disagreements 
• The crucial role of seminaries in maintaining scriptural confessions 
• Exploring the Specific Ministry Pastor Program and its challenges 
• Proposing decentralized models for pastoral education and leadership 
• Addressing the stigmas surrounding bivocational ministry 
• Inviting collaborative dialogue for innovation in ministry

Support the show

Join the Lead Time Newsletter! (Weekly Updates and Upcoming Episodes)
https://www.uniteleadership.org/lead-time-podcast#newsletter

Visit uniteleadership.org