Lead Time

Unite Leadership Collective
  • 4.7 (57)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Lead Time is a podcast of the Unite Leadership Collective, hosted by Tim Ahlman and Jack Kalleberg. The ULC envisions a future in which all congregations fully equip the priesthood of all believers through world-class leadership development at the local level. Lead Time taps into biblical wisdom for practical solutions to today's burning issues. Each podcast confronts real-time struggles facing the local church in a post-Christian culture. Step into the action with the ULC. This is Lead Time

  1. 6D AGO

    Is the LCMS in an “American Interim”? A Gospel-Centered Response

    What is the “American Interim” — and is the Church compromising its identity? In this episode of LEAD TIME, Pastor Tim Ahlman sits down with Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Kloha (Dean for the Center for Missional & Pastoral Leadership) to thoughtfully respond to Rev. Karl Hess's presentation, “Pastoring Under the American Interim.” See the video here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=0IizshrQn9E Together they explore: - What is a Lutheran hermeneutic? - Is Enlightenment liberalism replacing Christianity? - Is equality a false god? - Did the Church surrender during COVID? - How should Christians think about slavery in Scripture? - Are we soaking in secular assumptions without realizing it? Rather than reacting emotionally, this conversation returns again and again to the central question: How do we interpret Scripture faithfully in our cultural moment? Dr. Kloha reminds us that our context may look less like 16th-century Europe and more like the world of the New Testament — pluralistic, politically complex, and spiritually contested. And in that world, what did the apostles do? They preached Christ. This episode is not about winning political arguments. It’s about guarding the gospel. It’s about understanding narrative vs. prescription in Scripture. It’s about loving neighbor while remaining faithful to Christ. If you’ve wrestled with these tensions in your congregation, this conversation will equip you with clarity, charity, and courage. Stay up to date by Joining the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter) https://www.uniteleadership.org/thelcmscurrent RISE RADIOEach week we discuss some of the most important issues we face in our society today.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Support the show Visit uniteleadership.org

    1h 2m

  2. FEB 24

    Priesthood of All Believers: The Debate That Still Shapes the LCMS

    What is God’s mission? Sounds like a simple question. In this episode of LEAD TIME, Tim and Jack sit down with veteran missiologist, Rev. Dr. Bob Scudieri to unpack the theology, history, and controversy surrounding mission in the LCMS. From the early church to Walther and Grabau, from Constantine to today’s debates about the priesthood of all believers, this conversation goes deep. Is the mission of God (Missio Dei) central to the church—or does emphasizing mission threaten doctrinal clarity? Why has fear sometimes replaced boldness? And what would it look like for the LCMS to truly reflect Matthew 28 in 2050? Bob shares decades of experience in parish ministry, national leadership, church planting, and ethnic outreach—along with practical wisdom for congregations ready to step into courageous mission. If you care about doctrine, discipleship, and reaching the nations next door, this episode is for you. Stay up to date by Joining the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter) https://www.uniteleadership.org/thelcmscurrent RISE RADIOEach week we discuss some of the most important issues we face in our society today.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Support the show Visit uniteleadership.org

    48 min

  3. FEB 18

    Joy, Curiosity, and Hard Conversations in the LCMS

    Are we unintentionally losing relational leadership in the LCMS? In this episode of LEAD TIME, Tim sits down with DCE Jonathan Zellar to unpack the ideas behind Rare Leadership by Jim Wilder — and why joy, emotional intelligence, and relational connection may be the missing ingredients in many of our leadership conversations. Concerned about what is happening in the wider LCMS? Check this out: http://amazon.com/Confessing-Jesus-Mission-Pastors-Prayer-ebook/dp/B0FZW7MSTV This episode isn’t about lowering doctrine. It’s about embodying it relationally. If we can remain relational, act like ourselves, return to joy, and endure hardship well — we may find a healthier path forward together. RISE RADIOEach week we discuss some of the most important issues we face in our society today.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Support the show Visit uniteleadership.org

    50 min

  4. FEB 13

    Is This “Seminex 2.0”? Dr. Jim Voelz Responds to the Controversy

    Please excuse the internet issues experienced during today's episode. Is Concordia Seminary embracing “Seminex 2.0”? Does modern linguistic theory make Scripture meaningless? Can Christians interpret the Bible “objectively”? In this episode of LEAD TIME, Pastor Tim sits down with Jim Voelz, longtime professor at Concordia Seminary, to respond directly to recent critiques surrounding his books: - What Does This Mean? - Principles of Biblical Interpretation for Everyone This conversation tackles some of the most important theological questions facing the LCMS right now: hermeneutics, authority, objectivity, and confession. If you care about faithful biblical interpretation, Lutheran theology, and the future of our church — this episode is for you. Concerned about what is happening in the wider LCMS? Check this out: http://amazon.com/Confessing-Jesus-Mission-Pastors-Prayer-ebook/dp/B0FZW7MSTV RISE RADIOEach week we discuss some of the most important issues we face in our society today.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Support the show Visit uniteleadership.org

    1h 16m

  5. FEB 10

    How Real-Time Insight Can Strengthen the Local Church

    What happens when churches stop listening to their people—and what becomes possible when they do? In this episode of Lead Time, Tim Ahlman sits down with Ryan Ermeling, founder of Parent Pulse and the newly launched Church Voice, to explore why feedback often feels threatening in church leadership—and why avoiding it can quietly erode trust, unity, and mission. 👉 Learn more about Church Voice at https://www.churchvoice.io/ Together, they unpack the difference between feedback and insight, how real-time listening can prevent families from slipping away unnoticed, and why humility—not fear—is the posture faithful leadership requires. The conversation also tackles healthy conflict, trust within the LCMS, and how leaders can listen without surrendering theological conviction. If you’re a pastor, church leader, or ministry decision-maker navigating complexity, disagreement, or change, this episode offers a grounded, hope-filled framework for leading with clarity, courage, and care. Care about what is happening in the wider LCMS? Check this out: http://amazon.com/Confessing-Jesus-Mission-Pastors-Prayer-ebook/dp/B0FZW7MSTV RISE RADIOEach week we discuss some of the most important issues we face in our society today.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Support the show Visit uniteleadership.org

    42 min

  6. FEB 2

    Confessing Jesus’ Mission in a Fragmented Church

    Tim's Book - Confessing Jesus' Mission is finally out! Find it here: http://amazon.com/Confessing-Jesus-Mission-Pastors-Prayer-ebook/dp/B0FZW7MSTV This is a very special episode of LEAD Time. On launch day of Confessing Jesus’ Mission, Tim Ahlman joins the podcast for a different kind of conversation—not to defend a book, but to ask a deeper question facing the church today: Have we lost a shared sense of why the church exists? In this episode, Joe Beran interviews Tim about the growing fragmentation within the LCMS, the false binary between confession and mission, and why fear has quietly replaced courage in many of our conversations. Together, they explore how tribalism has shaped church discourse, why the Missio Dei must once again drive our priorities, and how the church can move from playing defense to faithfully going on offense for the sake of the lost. The conversation also touches on pastoral formation, leadership development, and why strategic thinking does not undermine Lutheran identity—but can actually serve it when rooted in Christ, the Means of Grace, and love for neighbor. This episode is not a manifesto. It’s an invitation: - To leaders who care deeply about the future of the church - To pastors and lay leaders willing to have honest, collegial conversations - To anyone longing for unity without compromise and mission without fear Tim also shares who the book is for, who it’s not for, and how it’s meant to be read—not in isolation, but in community, as a catalyst for deeper conversation and renewed clarity around the mission God has already given His church. If you’ve felt the tension between faithfulness and fruitfulness, confession and mission, or tradition and innovation, this episode is for you. RISE RADIOEach week we discuss some of the most important issues we face in our society today.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Support the show Visit uniteleadership.org

    44 min

  7. JAN 27

    BARNA Findings: Why Gen Z Is More Open to Faith Than You Think

    Want to take part in the private Zoom Call with Pastor Tim?? ONLY 14 Spots remain! Your Purchase is your ticket to the event! https://pci.jotform.com/cglc/confessing-jesus-mission-order-form Is there really a spiritual openness emerging among Gen Z—and if so, how should the church respond? In this episode of Lead Time, Tim Ahlman and Jack Kalleberg are joined by Mike Jessop, Director of Christian Education at Christ Greenfield, to unpack recent Barna findings on Gen Z, discipleship, and the future of the church. Together, they explore why Gen Z may be more spiritually open than previous generations, what authenticity really means to young adults, and how technology, loneliness, and cultural instability are shaping the next generation’s search for meaning. See research here: https://www.barna.com/research/young-adults-lead-resurgence-in-church-attendance/ If you care about LCMS health, leadership development, and long-term faith formation, this episode is essential listening. RISE RADIOEach week we discuss some of the most important issues we face in our society today.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Support the show Visit uniteleadership.org

    47 min

  8. JAN 20

    Can the LCMS Truly Be Confessional and Missional?

    Want to take part in the private Zoom Call with Pastor Tim?? 40 Spots remain! Your Purchase is your ticket to the event! https://pci.jotform.com/cglc/confessing-jesus-mission-order-form What does faithful mission look like in today’s fractured, post-Christian culture? In this episode of Lead Time, Tim Ahlman is joined by Pastor Brandon Boos, missions pastor at Faith Lutheran Church (Oakville, MO) and one of the youngest pastors in the LCMS. Together, they explore how the church can remain deeply confessional while actively engaging the world—especially young adults who are searching for meaning, community, and truth. This is an honest, thoughtful discussion for pastors, church leaders, and anyone who cares about the future of Lutheran mission in North America. RISE RADIOEach week we discuss some of the most important issues we face in our society today.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Support the show Visit uniteleadership.org

    1h 2m
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4.7
out of 5
57 Ratings

About

Lead Time is a podcast of the Unite Leadership Collective, hosted by Tim Ahlman and Jack Kalleberg. The ULC envisions a future in which all congregations fully equip the priesthood of all believers through world-class leadership development at the local level. Lead Time taps into biblical wisdom for practical solutions to today's burning issues. Each podcast confronts real-time struggles facing the local church in a post-Christian culture. Step into the action with the ULC. This is Lead Time

Information

  • Creator
    Unite Leadership Collective
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    382
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Lead Time
  • Show Website
    Lead Time

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