Why does the Western church struggle to talk about grief, loss, and suffering? Pastor Karl Fay joins Tim Ahlman for a raw and inspiring conversation about faith, art, and the power of walking through brokenness instead of avoiding it.

Karl—an artist, husband, dad, and senior pastor at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church—opens up about:
- Why Western Christians often ignore death and suffering
- How grief and melancholy shape authentic faith
- The surprising ways art can give us language for pain and hope
- Why Jesus Himself should be seen as an artist who transforms suffering into beauty

This episode will challenge your view of grief, faith, and creativity—and may just change how you see the role of art in the church.

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What happens when your life shatters at 30 mph into a telephone pole—and God uses it to reshape your ministry?

In this powerful episode, Tim Ahlman sits down with Pastor Nathan Huse of Peace Lutheran in Tustin, CA. Just five years ago, his church had fewer than 30 people in worship. Today, it’s a vibrant, multi-generational community filled with new believers, baptisms, and revival stories. This is a story of brokenness, resilience, and God’s power to breathe new life into His people and His Church.

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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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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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