Lead Time Podcast By Unite Leadership Collective cover art

Lead Time

Lead Time

By: Unite Leadership Collective
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About this listen

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© 2025 Lead Time Christianity Economics Ministry & Evangelism Spirituality
Episodes
  • The LCMS Almost Lost This Pastor...
    Jun 24 2025

    What happens when the traditional path to ministry isn't an option? For Pastor Eli Thomas, the journey to becoming an LCMS pastor meant navigating uncharted waters through the colloquy process while balancing family responsibilities, work, and education over eleven challenging years.

    What began as a winding path through different denominations ultimately led him back to Lutheran theology through his rediscovery of the real presence of Christ in the sacraments.

    • Taking 11 years to complete undergraduate and seminary education while working and raising a family
    • Navigating the challenging colloquy process to become an LCMS pastor
    • Finding joy in interactive Bible study that transforms both teacher and students
    • Serving two congregations simultaneously, including one with an average age of 80
    • Moving from lecture-style teaching to dialogue that helps people experience Scripture
    • Reflecting on convention experiences and hopes for the future of pastoral formation
    • Discovering God's faithfulness when facing unexpected challenges



    Support the show

    Join the Lead Time Newsletter! (Weekly Updates and Upcoming Episodes)
    https://www.uniteleadership.org/lead-time-podcast#newsletter

    Visit uniteleadership.org

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    57 mins
  • Is the Term "Servant Leadership" Worth Using in the LCMS?
    Jun 20 2025

    Joe Willmann shares his journey from wrestling coach to Lutheran Church Extension Fund leader, revealing how his perspective on leadership transformed from rigid systems to recognizing individual gifts and abilities. He explains that excellence should replace perfection as our aim in life and ministry, highlighting the difference between these mindsets.

    • Moving beyond perfectionism to excellence creates space for growth while maintaining high standards
    • The concept of "tending and keeping" provides a biblical framework for understanding our vocations
    • True leadership flows naturally from being deep followers of Jesus rather than adopting leadership techniques
    • The three greatest needs in churches today: embracing biblical stewardship, aiming for excellence, and letting non-essential things evolve
    • Key behaviors for Christian leaders: developing winsome witness, adopting a posture of reception rather than critique, and loving difficult people
    • LCEF partners with congregations and districts to start, sustain, and strengthen ministries through financial and strategic partnerships
    • Changing a 30-year men's Bible study time resulted in attendance growing from 12 to 40-50 men

    Support the show

    Join the Lead Time Newsletter! (Weekly Updates and Upcoming Episodes)
    https://www.uniteleadership.org/lead-time-podcast#newsletter

    Visit uniteleadership.org

    Show more Show less
    55 mins
  • Is the LCMS Emotionally Healthy?
    Jun 13 2025

    Tim Ahlman welcomes Rev. Dr. Michael Eckelkamp, who shares transformative leadership insights from his experience as Senior Executive Director at Christ Lincoln Church and Schools and mentor to countless leaders.

    • Two early mentors shaped Michael's approach to leadership: his third-grade teacher who helped him learn to read, and a man named Herbie who invited him to weekly dinners
    • Understanding leadership and self-deception requires recognizing when we're "in the box" toward others, justifying our behavior by blaming them
    • Trust operates like deposits in a bank account—consistent small investments create a reserve that allows relationships to weather occasional withdrawals
    • Every congregation asks two questions about a new leader: "Will he love me?" and "Will he let me love him?"
    • Young leaders need mentorship to develop character at the same rate as content knowledge
    • Creating healthy rhythms (Michael swims at 4 am daily) provides capacity to handle leadership challenges
    • High invitation coupled with high challenge creates environments where people grow spiritually and emotionally
    • Curiosity (from Latin "cur" meaning heart) keeps us humble and open to what God is doing
    • Leadership requires incremental 1% improvements in physical, emotional, spiritual and familial dimensions


    Support the show

    Join the Lead Time Newsletter! (Weekly Updates and Upcoming Episodes)
    https://www.uniteleadership.org/lead-time-podcast#newsletter

    Visit uniteleadership.org

    Show more Show less
    55 mins
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