Most LCMS congregations offer some kind of adult education—but is it actually forming mature disciples? 

Dr. Mark Blanke joins Tim to unpack decades of research showing why quality matters far more than quantity, the eight best practices of effective adult education, and why small, intentional shifts could radically change faith formation across our Synod. They explore how Jesus’ question-based teaching style outperforms lecture-heavy models, why evaluation is essential, and how congregations can create a clear vision for what a “maturing disciple” looks like. This is a practical, Spirit-led conversation every church leader should hear.

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Unemployment is one of the most disorienting, painful seasons a person can face—yet the church often overlooks it. In this episode, Tim Ahlman sits down with Dale Kreienkamp, author of "How Long, Lord, How Long?", to talk about the emotional and spiritual toll of losing a job, why many believers suffer in silence, and how congregations can be a lifeline in these moments.

Dale shares his own unexpected job loss stories, the lies we believe during unemployment, and practical ways pastors and church members can walk alongside those in transition. This isn’t just about finding the next job—it’s about restoring dignity, hope, and trust in God’s provision.

Whether you’ve been through job loss yourself or want to better care for others in your church, this conversation will open your eyes to a ministry opportunity hiding in plain sight.

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Let’s start having the hard conversations that move the Church forward.

Is church planting just a trendy distraction from revitalization? Or is it exactly what the LCMS needs right now?

In this powerful conversation, Tim Ahlman sits down with Mark and Laura Pulliam—founders of Lazarus Church in Spring, Texas—who planted just 10 weeks before the pandemic… and thrived. Together they confront outdated models of ministry, risk-aversion in Lutheran leadership, and why launching new churches might be our best tool for reaching the de-churched and unchurched.

Hear why their church didn’t worship publicly for 18 months, why being “Lutheran” isn’t always on the sign, and why church planting is more accessible than most think.

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What happens when the rituals that once helped us grieve—viewings, funerals, community gatherings—fade into the background? In this deeply moving episode, Tim sits down with grief expert Julie Lynn Ashley to discuss the Western church’s growing discomfort with death, loss, and mourning.

Why are fewer Christians choosing funerals? Why do we avoid silence and tears? And what simple things can churches do today to care for grieving people with real love and presence?

Whether you’re a pastor, caregiver, or someone walking through loss, this conversation will reshape how you view grief—and the gospel hope that meets us in it.

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What if the greatest untapped mission field in the LCMS isn’t overseas—but in your preschool?

Dr. Douglas Krengel joins Pastor Tim to reveal jaw-dropping findings from his LCMS-wide research on early childhood ministries—and the shocking disconnect between pastors and preschool directors. With over 76,000 kids in LCMS early learning centers and most pastors having zero training in early childhood education, are we missing the Reformation right under our noses?

They dive deep into:
The controversial "homophily effect" that divides our churches
Why many pastors still view early childhood ministry as “women’s work”
How we’re failing to speak the #1 mission language today: Modern Mom
The domino effect a thriving pastor-director relationship can unleash
This episode pulls no punches. It’s time for LCMS leaders to wake up—and start learning from the very people we’ve overlooked.

👉 Like, share, and comment to move the mission forward.

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Sandy Wendelin has led faithfully for 41 years—but she’s come dangerously close to walking away more than once. Why? Because the Church still doesn’t know how to handle conflict. In this raw, honest episode, Sandy and Tim expose the unspoken tensions in church leadership: from failed mergers, second-chair burnout, passive-aggressive church culture, and what happens when we fawn instead of fight.

Plus, they tackle the hard questions: Why are we so slow to change? Are LCMS women truly empowered to lead? And is our obsession with tradition stopping the Gospel from moving forward?

Whether you're a pastor, DCE, teacher, or lay leader—this one will hit home.

🔔 Subscribe, comment, and share your experience. Let’s start having the hard conversations that move the Church forward.

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Ever felt like your Sunday worship experience has nothing to do with your Monday morning reality? You're not alone. In this illuminating conversation with Dr. Jim Marriott, we dive deep into the profound yet often misunderstood connection between liturgy, discipleship, and mission in the Christian life.

Dr. Jim Marriott explores how liturgical practices can bridge the gap between Sunday worship and everyday discipleship, providing a framework for living the Christian life in all contexts. He challenges us to move beyond compartmentalized faith to an integrated understanding of how liturgy shapes our identity and mission.

• Liturgy forms Christians to live the Christian life in the world, connecting Sunday worship to Monday living
• The divine service is not just about one hour of worship but about shaping believers for their mission throughout the week
• Two axes of discipleship: passive righteousness (what God does for us) and active righteousness (how we live toward others)
• Three tiers of liturgical understanding: story, Word and Sacrament, and rites/ceremonies
• The Kyrie ("Lord have mercy") is not just penitential but an act of advocacy for those in need
• Christian worship should equip people for hospitality, generosity, and blessing others daily
• Every home can be a liturgical space where faith is formed and practiced
• Unity in liturgy doesn't require uniformity in practices

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What does it truly mean to follow Christ? According to Dr. Michael Gorman, it goes far beyond simply believing the right doctrines. In this profound conversation, the renowned biblical scholar challenges us to consider whether we've been misreading the Apostle Paul all along.

Dr. Michael Gorman shares his groundbreaking work on Pauline theology, exploring how Christians are called to not just believe the gospel but embody it. The conversation navigates deep theological waters with practical applications for how the church lives out its mission in today's polarized world.

• The theology of the cross vs. theology of glory - understanding the cross as both the source and shape of our salvation
• Common misreadings of Paul that focus only on individual forgiveness instead of communal transformation
• How Western Christianity tends to individualize Paul's messages that were written to communities
• Understanding grace as "unconditional but not unconditioned" - requiring grateful response
• Why faith, love, and hope form the core theological virtues in Paul's writings
• The concept of "anticipatory participation" - living now as a foretaste of God's coming kingdom
• How peace-making should be central to the church's witness in a polarized society
• The dangers of Christians seeking worldly influence and power rather than servant leadership

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Paul Dickerson, Associate Pastor at Christ Memorial Church, shares his journey from attorney to ministry and explores how business principles can transform church leadership and growth. 

While Paul values liturgical practices and their powerful connection to historical faith, he challenges listeners to consider when rituals become roadblocks rather than pathways to Jesus. Through compelling stories – from a young man shamed for wearing a hat in church to a karate instructor finding his place in worship – we glimpse both the pitfalls and possibilities of creating truly hospitable Christian communities.

• From practicing law to pursuing seminary, Paul's transition shows how God redirects careers toward ministry
• Churches are experiencing more adult baptisms as new people discover faith through relational connections
• The "Innovator's Dilemma" explains why good organizations fail by listening exclusively to existing customers
• Value networks in churches can create systems that unintentionally exclude newcomers
• Balancing 70% maintenance, 20% improvement, and 10% innovation helps churches stay healthy
• Traditions are valuable but become problematic when they're not hospitable to outsiders
• Pastoral ministry in 2050 will likely involve more distributed leadership beyond ordained roles
• Relationships remain central to sharing the gospel—each church member has connections with people far from Jesus

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What if one of the most "outdated" evangelism methods actually works better than we think? In this fascinating conversation, Pastor Timothy Koch dismantles the misconception that door-to-door evangelism belongs in the past and demonstrates how this approach is bringing people to Jesus in communities across America.

• 33% of people in rural towns are unchurched, contrary to the misconception that everyone in small towns already belongs to a church
• Koch's organization Jesus Door to Door (JD2D.org) provides free resources and training for congregations
• The evangelism approach uses a simple survey method that allows 95% of respondents to hear the Gospel
• Cook teaches a clear way to articulate faith: "I'm a sinner separated from God, but Jesus suffered and died for my sins"
• Two-thirds of people answer their doors, and 5% are open to follow-up visits
• Door-to-door evangelism strengthens the faith of those who participate by helping them clearly articulate their beliefs
• The approach has led to new believers and church members, including families who have become faithful attendees
• Rural communities need strong pastoral leadership despite declining populations

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