The Tim Ahlman Podcast

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, r...

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 l...

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 st...

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 Together they confront outdated models of minis...

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 gr...

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 ...

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, provid...

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. T...

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 wear...

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...

Have you ever wondered how different cultures approach spiritual truth? 

Noks Shabalala shares her journey from ancestral worship in South Africa to Christian faith, offering fresh cultural perspectives on boldly communicating gospel truth with love rather than diplomatic politeness. Her multicultural background and direct communication style challenge listeners to prioritize mission over tradition and make the gospel accessible to ...

What if the entire Bible tells one cohesive story—and you're invited to play a part in it? Dr. Michael Goheen, author of "The Drama of Scripture," unpacks how understanding Scripture as a unified narrative transforms our spiritual lives and missional purpose. This narrative understanding transforms our approach to Scripture, vocation, and our role in God's kingdom.

• The Missio Dei describes God's ...

Have you ever considered that God's questions might reveal more about you than your answers reveal about Him? When the Creator of the universe asks "Where are you?" or "Why do you doubt?" He's inviting us into something far deeper than a theological exercise.

Charessa Koontz joins the podcast to discuss her new book "The 17 Questions of God and the Impact on Your Life Today," exploring how div...

What if our cultural moment isn't "post-Christian" but rather "pre-Christian"? This shift in perspective could transform how we approach ministry and evangelism in today's secular world.

Dr. Dean Nadasdy, President Emeritus of the Minnesota South District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, draws from decades of ministry experience to share insights on effective leadership and evangelism. His pastora...

The catalyst for mission isn't found in strategy, resources, or technical knowledge—it's rooted in prayer. But not just any prayer. In this refreshingly honest conversation, Pastor Chris Paavola shares how his journey from worship director to church planter to established church pastor led him to a profound revelation: most Christians don't know how to pray conversationally with God.

• Prayer is the catalyst...

What grounds us when everything seems to be in constant flux? Dr. John Nordling, Professor of Exegetical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, brings refreshing clarity to this question through his unique lens as both a classicist and Lutheran theologian.

*Disclaimer* - this episode was recorded prior to the Apology Video by Pastor Tim which you can find here

• Understanding the Word of God and Lutheran...

What if developing youth leaders wasn't about having the coolest, most relatable youth pastor? What if the most effective behaviors for nurturing young servant leaders were actually accessible to anyone willing to show up consistently?

Jonathan Kopecky and Jackie Druckhammer share findings from their Youth Leadership Initiative research project, revealing vital behaviors that help develop young leaders in the church. Their data...

The Shroud of Turin contains mysteries that have baffled scientists for decades, offering compelling evidence for the resurrection of Jesus through radiation signatures that cannot be explained by conventional science.

• A detailed exploration of the Shroud of Turin's physical characteristics, including the negative image containing 3D information
• Scientific evidence showing the image is not a painting, scorch, ...

Through honest conversation about modern parenting challenges, Adam Griffin shares how Christian families can create a discipleship-centered home culture that nurtures genuine faith in children while freeing parents from perfectionistic anxiety.

• Anxiety in middle-class American parenting stems from making everything important and measurable
• The gospel offers freedom from perfectionism without lowering standards