What if the church isn’t meant to preserve a monument—but to embody a movement?

In this deeply thoughtful and pastoral conversation, Tim sits down with Pastor Nathan Hoff of Trinity Lutheran in San Pedro to explore what it means to lead a church that is alive, attentive, and anchored in Christ.

Nathan reflects on 20 years of ministry in one congregation—what had to “die” in him as a leader, how blind spots become sanctifying tools, and why the church must resist becoming a museum curator of past movements. Together, they wrestle with institutional preservation vs. missional risk, unity in divided times, and the formation of young leaders through intentional community.

Nathan shares about Trinity’s Benedict-inspired young adult internship community—how rhythms of prayer, stability, shared life, and clear confession are shaping the next generation of pastors and leaders across church bodies.

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Author, spoken word poet, and speaker Tanner Olson joins the Tim Ahlman Podcast to talk about poetry, grief, humor, AI, NBA basketball—and most importantly—hope.

Tanner’s newest book, Getting Through What You’re Going Through, releases February 17, 2026, and is a powerful collection of poems, essays, and reflections for anyone navigating anxiety, loss, identity questions, or spiritual wrestling.

This episode is vulnerable, joyful, honest—and filled with encouragement for anyone who feels like they’re just trying to get through what they’re going through.

Grab Tanner’s new book: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Through-What-Youre-Going/dp/0310465745

Connect with Tanner at https://www.writtentospeak.com/

If this episode encouraged you, share it with someone who needs hope today.

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Tim’s new book is out now and tackles the real leadership and discipleship challenges facing the LCMS today. If you care about faithful, missional Lutheran leadership rooted in Scripture and love for the local church, this book is for you.

https://www.amazon.com/Confession-Jesus-Mission-Pastors-Prayer/dp/B0G1685QDV/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0

Churches don’t drift toward mission—they drift toward maintenance.

In this episode of the Tim Ahlman Podcast, Tim sits down with Pastor Dan Hauser to talk about what it really looks like to lead a church and school toward gospel-centered transformation. From reaching the unchurched through mission schools to creating a culture where people feel known and loved, Dan shares hard-won leadership insights shaped by decades of ministry, church revitalization, and church planting.

They dig into the tension between traditional and contemporary worship, why vision and values matter more than ever, and how churches can move people from consumer Christianity to empowered discipleship. This conversation is especially relevant for pastors, church leaders, and educators navigating growth, cultural change, and mission in today’s church.

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In this episode of the Tim Ahlman Podcast, Tim is joined by Pastor Mark Schultz and Josh Salzberg for a careful, pastoral conversation about one of the most sensitive and emotionally charged topics facing the Church today. Rather than rushing to arguments or soundbites, this conversation slows down and asks a different question: What does it look like to lead with the gospel when real people and real pain are involved?

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In an age where many describe themselves as “spiritual but not religious,” what is actually being lost?

In this wide-ranging conversation, Tim Ahlman sits down with Lutheran pastor and theologian Gabe Kasper to explore why intuition-driven spirituality ultimately leaves people unrooted—and why historic Christian confession, ritual, and community still matter deeply today.

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What if the church’s leadership problem isn’t theology—but formation?

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In this episode of the Tim Ahlman Podcast, Tim sits down with John Rector, ministry leader, executive coach, and Area Director for Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Austin, Texas.

John shares his journey from church planting and nonprofit leadership to coaching leaders in ministry and the marketplace. Together, they explore why coaching—not just preaching—may be the missing ingredient in leadership development, and how Jesus Himself modeled a coaching approach to discipleship.

Whether you’re a pastor, church staff member, coach, or leader in the marketplace, this episode will challenge how you think about discipleship, authority, and legacy.

📌 Learn more about John’s work at https://rectorleadership.com/
📌 Explore FCA Austin at https://fcaaustin.org/

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What does faithful leadership look like when you’re not the one in charge?

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In this episode of the Tim Ahlman Podcast, Tim sits down with Emily Phoenix, Program & Communications Director at KINDLE and host of Cultivating Second Chair Leaders, for a wide-ranging and honest conversation about leadership, identity, and faithfulness in today’s church.

This episode isn’t about winning arguments — it’s about cultivating gentleness, courage, and Christ-centered leadership in a polarized age.

Whether you’re a pastor, commissioned worker, lay leader, or simply someone longing for healthier conversations in the church, this episode invites you to slow down, listen well, and refocus on the mission of Jesus.

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What voices are shaping your leadership—encouraging courage, or quietly reinforcing shame?

In this episode of the Tim Ahlman Podcast, Tim sits down with pastor, coach, and author Jeff Meyer to explore the concept of your Internal Board of Directors—the inner voices that guide (or derail) your decisions, identity, and spiritual resilience.

Jeff shares vulnerably about a dark season that exposed the power of negative self-talk, the theology of shame, and how leaders—especially pastors—often become their own harshest critics. Together, Tim and Jeff unpack how law and gospel shape our inner dialogue, why isolation is so dangerous for leaders, and how grace reshapes both our brains and our leadership.

This conversation weaves together neuroscience, pastoral theology, Luther, Scripture, and practical habits for cultivating healthier internal leadership—anchored in baptismal identity and the Spirit of Truth.

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In this episode of TAP, Tim Ahlman is joined by pastor, author, and theologian Carl Lehenbauer for a wide-ranging and deeply human conversation about ministry longevity, marriage, discipleship, and the fire of God’s love that holds it all together.

Carl shares his journey from associate pastor to senior pastor—and now into a discipleship-focused role—reflecting honestly on burnout, self-awareness, delegation, and the quiet faithfulness that sustains long-term ministry. From there, the conversation moves into the heart of Carl’s new book, Fire and Song, a rich exploration of the Song of Songs as God’s love song to His people.

Together, Tim and Carl explore:

- Why love—not programs—is the foundation of a healthy church
- How God’s love fuels marriage rather than asking couples to manufacture it
- The connection between the Song of Songs, Pentecost, and the Holy Spirit
- Why admiration and commitment still matter in a distracted culture
- How marriage forms us into people who look more like Christ

This episode is honest, theological, pastoral, and hopeful—a reminder that God’s love is not only proclaimed, but sung over His people.

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Pastor Raygen Mitchell from Scottsdale Bible Church shares his extraordinary journey—from a traumatic childhood, seven felonies, multiple incarcerations, and meth addiction… to a supernatural encounter with Christ that completely transformed his life.

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In this episode, Tim and Raygen dive deep into:

- How God uses suffering and brokenness to shape leaders
- What Raygen means when he says “God said…”—and how Scripture formed his discernment
- The explosive revival happening among Gen Z
- Discipleship models that are actually working in large churches
- What healthy multi-site leadership looks like
- Why unity across denominations matters now more than ever

This is one of the most powerful personal testimonies we’ve ever featured.
If you’re longing for hope, revival, or clarity on how to disciple well in 2025 and beyond, this conversation will move you.

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