Has Liturgy Become a Test of Lutheran Identity in the LCMS?

Has Liturgy Become a Test of Lutheran Identity in the LCMS?

Author: Unite Leadership Collective September 4, 2026 Duration: 43:34
Ask Tim or Jack a question directly by joining our growing community of LCMS lay leaders and pastors: click here. What actually makes worship Lutheran? Is it Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions—or must Lutheran churches also use the same hymnal, liturgy, music and ceremonies? Tim Ahlman and Jack Kalleberg examine the CTCR document Unity in Doctrine and Uniformity and Variety in Practice and confront one of the most persistent tensions in the LCMS: the difference between doctrinal unity a...

Hosted by Tim Ahlman and Jack Kalleberg, Lead Time comes from the Unite Leadership Collective, an organization driven by a specific vision: to see every local congregation become a place where every believer is equipped through exceptional leadership development. This isn't about abstract theory. Instead, each episode digs into the immediate, real-time struggles that churches and their leaders are navigating in a post-Christian context. The conversations you'll hear are grounded in the belief that ancient biblical wisdom holds profoundly practical solutions for today's most pressing issues. Whether addressing community dynamics, organizational challenges, or personal leadership hurdles, the podcast serves as a resource for those seeking thoughtful, faith-based perspectives that work in the real world. By focusing on actionable insights, Lead Time aims to bridge the gap between spiritual truth and everyday application, fostering resilience and effectiveness within local faith communities. Tune in for candid discussions that honor the complexities of modern ministry while pointing toward sustainable, principled leadership.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

Lead Time
Podcast Episodes
The 9/11 Prayer That Changed the LCMS | Dave Benke [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:41
The conversation doesn’t end with this episode: In our Lead Time+ continuation, Dave Benke and Tim explore LCMS elections, the United List, divisions over worship, and who shapes the Synod’s direction—and discuss what it…
How a Rural LCMS Church Grew from 30 to 105 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:07
When Rev. Seth Davidson arrived at St. John Lutheran Church in Athens, Texas, the congregation averaged around 30 worshipers, had an average age of 71, struggled to make payroll, and appeared to be approaching the end of…
Can Public Disagreement be Helpful in the LCMS? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:35
Ask Tim or Jack a question directly by joining our growing community of LCMS lay leaders and pastors: click here. Do you think hard conversations that we have publicly on Lead Time are harmful to Christian unity? Tim Ahl…
70% of Christians Don’t Know How to Bring Faith into Work!? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:47
Stay up to date by joining the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter) Drawing from 36 years of leadership at Procter & Gamble and his book Kingdom Leadership, Ron Kelleher joins Tim and Jack to explore how Jesus…
Why Large LCMS Churches Feel Ignored by Synod [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:28
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ Join Lead Time+ to continue the conversation ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ Rev. John Kunze has served Messiah Church and School in Lincoln, Nebraska, for more than 25 years. In thi…
The LCMS Is Full of Missionaries—So Why Aren’t We Sending Them? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:00
Stay up to date by joining the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter) What if your congregation doesn’t need to manufacture more missionaries—but simply learn to recognize the people God has already placed there?…
Why Faithful Families Are Quietly Leaving the LCMS | Jerry Kieschnick [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:09
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ Join Lead Time+ to continue the conversation ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ Why are faithful families quietly leaving the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod—even when their children sti…