Tim sits down with Brian Stecker, associate pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Waconia, Minnesota, and creator of the "On the Line" podcast, to explore theological leadership in today's changing religious landscape. They discuss how traditional Lutheran theology can engage with contemporary culture while maintaining its rich intellectual tradition.

• CS Lewis's powerful influence as a bridge between classical education and modern thinking
• The importance of story in cultivating Christian imagination and faith formation
• Brian's unexpected journey from business to pastoral ministry through Tolkien's stories
• On-the-job pastoral learning and the value of theological "soft skills" in difficult situations
• Understanding the pastor's role as a leader within proper theological frameworks
• The LCMS's significant opportunity to expand its digital media presence
• How intellectually substantive content is attracting audiences contrary to conventional wisdom
• The "unfair advantage" of traditional theology as younger generations seek deeper roots
• Building unity within the LCMS while engaging diverse perspectives

Connect with Brian's work at ontheline.net or visit Trinity Waconia's website to learn more about their ministry.

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What happens when we apply biblical language to modern business concepts? Attorney Colin Hoffman joins Tim and Jack to challenge how Christian leaders use marketplace terminology and offers a refreshing biblical perspective on leadership development.

• Integrating faith in the marketplace through daily devotionals and Christ-centered business practices
• Using biblical language instead of business terminology – how "name" in Scripture relates to modern concept of "brand"
• Name changes in the Bible (Abraham, Israel, Peter) represent divine identity transformation similar to baptism
• John 17 as a perfect model of project management and leadership handoff from Jesus to God the Father
• Implementing Christian principles in legal practice through mediation clauses based on 1 Corinthians 6
• Creating high-trust business relationships by applying biblical wisdom to contracts, client relationships, and conflict resolution
• Christian business leaders serving as shepherds to employees and missionaries in places traditional ministry cannot reach.

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Through meaningful interviews and heartfelt conversations, Friar Time, hosted by Fr....

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What if everything we thought about leadership was backward? In this thought-provoking exploration of "The Genius of Jesus," we unpack how Christ established the most effective leadership development movement in history—not through controlling hierarchies but through radical trust and empowerment.

• Jesus exemplifies genius by seeing connections others couldn't see and establishing an upside-down kingdom
• The Pharisaical tendency in leadership seeks identity in power over others rather than empowerment
• Healthy organizations foster innovation through teams rather than bureaucratic hierarchy
• Trust functions as currency—when present, it propels ministry forward; when absent, it creates resistance
• Effective leadership balances high trust with high accountability through transparency
• Decentralized decision-making requires clear values and principles that guide but don't restrict
• Leadership thrives when principles rather than rigid rules govern behavior
• Effective leaders instill thirst for mission rather than merely creating manuals and procedures

Through meaningful interviews and heartfelt conversations, Friar Time, hosted by Fr....

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What does it mean to be "free" in a Lutheran context? Join us as we explore that question with President Micah Hjermstad of the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations. President Micah Hjermstad shares the history, structure, and vision of this distinctively autonomous Lutheran body. The conversation explores how congregational freedom and collaborative ministry can flourish together when centered on the gospel of Jesus Christ.

• History of the AFLC traces back to Norway in the 1800s as a reaction against state church control
• AFLC formed in 1962 when 40 congregations chose not to merge with the American Lutheran Church
• Now encompasses over 250 congregations across 26 states with international ministries
• Unique polity based on 12 fundamental principles that establish congregational autonomy
• National offices support rather than govern congregations through five separate corporations
• Congregations answer only to "the Word and the Spirit" without hierarchical authority
• Vision focusing on maintaining biblical authority while leaning into "the freedom of the gospel"
• Leadership development primarily occurs at the congregational level with new national initiatives
• Majority lay representation required on all national boards
• Creating environments for gracious disagreement while maintaining unity
• Lutheran theology "embraces tension" rather than forcing artificial resolution of biblical paradoxes
• Different Lutheran denominations reach different people with the same gospel

Through meaningful interviews and heartfelt conversations, Friar Time, hosted by Fr....

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Dr. Jon Braunersreuther joins Tim Ahlman to challenge one of the most persistent false dichotomies in Lutheran circles: the notion that being "confessional" and "missional" represent opposing priorities. Drawing from his role as Director of District-Wide Strategy for the Texas District LCMS, Jon presents a compelling alternative—a reciprocal and reinforcing relationship where strong theological convictions naturally fuel passionate mission work, and authentic mission efforts necessarily depend on doctrinal clarity.

• Conviction implies connection between cognitive understanding and affective heart response that moves us to action
• True Lutheran confessional convictions naturally lead to missional cause—sharing these beliefs with those who don't yet know Jesus
• The false dichotomy of "confessional vs. missional" can be replaced with a reciprocal, reinforcing relationship model
• Article 4 of the Augsburg Confession (justification by grace through faith) has powerful missional implications
• 1 Timothy 4:16 demonstrates the biblical foundation for watching both "life and doctrine closely"
• The Book of Concord preface states doctrines are preserved "to be kept and spread"
• Luther himself emphasized that faith "will not do for each one hearing the gospel to go his own way" but must be extended
• The Texas District aims for 500 new leaders in 500 new places by 2031, inspired by Ethiopia's Mekani Yesus Lutheran Church
• First Article gifts (reason and senses) should be used for mission planning without fear of "programming the Holy Spirit"
• The Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) demonstrates how the early church discussed mission problems and reached consensus

Through meaningful interviews and heartfelt conversations, Friar Time, hosted by Fr....

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Tim Ahlman shares important commitments being made to increase unity in the LCMS regarding pastoral formation discussions, explaining his decision to step back from public commentary on this topic while pursuing appropriate denominational channels for dialogue.

• Tim commits to no longer discussing LCMS pastoral formation on his podcasts or promoting non-Synod-approved leadership training programs
• Christ Greenfield Lutheran has historically served as a mentoring congregation for pastoral students in various LCMS programs
• The congregation had been exploring alternative leadership development approaches while maintaining transparency about their methods
• Recent confusion arose over a commissioning ceremony that was misinterpreted as an ordination
• Tim will pursue the formal LCMS dissent process, organizing a private "fellowship of peers" for constructive dialogue
• Both Tim and Chris affirm their commitment to the LCMS while seeking to address the shortage of pastors (over 700 vacant pulpits)
• They emphasize creating "dialogue not discord" while honoring established ecclesiastical structures
• The goal remains supporting the work of LCMS seminaries while exploring how to meet the church's growing leadership needs

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Attorney Kurth Brashear doesn't shy away from addressing the challenging governance issues facing the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod today. Drawing from his extensive experience in both church leadership and legal practice, he offers a candid assessment of how the church's governance structures sometimes hinder rather than help our shared mission.

• Developing a heart for church mission comes from understanding that God wants all people to be saved
• The "clearinghouse concept" facilitates sharing of synodical resolutions across districts to improve communication
• Prior approval process lacks transparency, leading to mistrust and uncertainty within church leadership
• Many church leaders fear speaking openly about opportunities for improvement due to potential repercussions
• Term limits for synodical officers would remind us that no one is irreplaceable in God's mission
• Current electoral system gives equal weight to congregations regardless of size, creating representation imbalances
• Commissioned ministers' voices need greater recognition in church governance and decision-making
• Primary focus should remain on the 98% we agree on rather than the 2% where we differ
• Healthy organizations handle difficult conversations well rather than avoiding them

Through meaningful interviews and heartfelt conversations, Friar Time, hosted by Fr....

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What does it mean to be human in an age where technology increasingly blurs the lines between body and machine? Dr. John Pless, professor at Concordia Theological Seminary, tackles this question through the lens of Lutheran ethics.

• Lutheran ethics begins with our relationship to God, not merely descriptive or prescriptive approaches
• Transhumanism views the body as "an assemblage of replaceable parts," reflecting humanity's struggle with autonomy
• The Christian understanding of body and soul sees them as "knit together," not separate entities
• Christ's resurrection provides our model for embodied existence – physical yet transformed
• Christian ethics operates through "reciprocity" – we first receive from God, then give to others
• Luther's doctrine of vocation teaches we serve God by serving neighbors in ordinary places
• Christians can navigate AI and technology by maintaining their identity as embodied creatures
• Spiritual unity comes through prayer, meditation on God's Word, and facing trials together
• True human connection requires discernment that AI cannot replicate

Through meaningful interviews and heartfelt conversations, Friar Time, hosted by Fr....

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