Michigan District, LCMS Thought Leader Podcast

What's the wisdom in attending a conference over “doing” ministry? | BPM: Heartland Show Notes: In this episode, we sit down with Pastor Joel Kaiser to discuss the upcoming Best […]

Is my pastor okay if he goes on a retreat? | Good Friend Ministries Show Notes: Pastor Mark Hannemann discusses the critical importance of church worker wellness. As stressors faced […]

1.2 How is Gen Alpha changing the Family Discipleship Model? | Concordia Center for the Family | Mission in the Mitten Show Notes: Todd Biermann from Concordia Center for the […]

What challenges do inner city missions face? | Gifts for All God's Children Show Notes: On today's episode, we're joined by Patti Jaques and Hailey Noonan from Gifts for All […]

The Michigan District's Director of Stewardship Ministries, Rev. Dr. Richard Wolfram, joins the podcast to discuss a new form of outreach–writing books for teens. Rev. Wolfram talks about the process […]

The Superintendant of schools for the Michigan District, Travis Grulke, discusses the benefits and outreach from Universal Pre-K and the Great Start Readiness Programs with Lisa May and Barb Ackerman. […]

Rev. Chris Paavola joins the podcast to talk about a new initiative: Pray for your Church.   Show Notes: Find out more about Pray for your Church: prayforyourchurch.com Find out […]

Michigan District Superintendent of Schools, Travis Grulke, leads the discussion on the growth of homeschool ministries as we hear from two leaders in our District sharing their experiences with homeschool […]

Rev. Kyle Kuehl shares the joys, adventures, and challenges of a tri-parish ministry in the Upper Peninsula.   Show Notes: Find out more about Trinity Lutheran Church in Newberry: facebook.com/tlcnewberry/ […]

We talk with Rev. Bryan Schindel and Rev. Bryan Varblow about a unique partnership that is serving many in Ypsilanti and Brooklyn. They also share inspiring stories of the building […]

Rev. Thomas Dunseth joins the podcast to share the stories and challenges of Deaf ministry, including a staggering number of unchurched people in this community.   Show Notes: To find […]

Blake Flattley and Tanner Olson share stories and experiences of how they work together and have created amazing shows of music and poetry. They are coming to Ann Arbor Oct. […]

Rev. Dan Ramthun of Guardian, Dearborn and Mrs. Laura Thomas, Michigan District, LCMS Director of Development join the podcast to discuss Church Worker Appreciation Month which starts in October.   […]

Rev. Chris Troxel of Emmaus discusses the challenges of a new church plant in Ann Arbor and describes the Emmaus partnership with University Lutheran Chapel and St. Paul, Ann Arbor. […]

Rev. Doug Adams from St. Peter's, Eastpointe joins the podcast to talk about stewardship, the health of Lutheran schools, and the 20-plus baptisms recently performed at St. Peter's.   Show […]

Luke Esselman joins the podcast to discuss the successes and challenges of a great week at the Junior High Gathering in Frankenmuth. Show Notes: Contact Luke Esselman luke.esselman@michigandistrict.org Check out […]

Rev. Derek Riddle accepted a call to Trinity, Jackson a little over a year ago. He joins the podcast to talk about the process of getting to know his new […]

Michigan District, LCMS Director of District Facilitators, Rev. Randy Johnson, joins the podcast to continue the discussion on church partnerships. Rev. Johnson talks about the hub-and-spoke model as a newer […]

Rev. Trevor Sutton of St. Luke, Haslett and St. Luke, Christ Campus joins the podcast to talk about his experiences and the culture of St. Luke, Haslett as they seek […]

Rev. Tim Bollinger and Jim Jensen from Shepherd's Gate Church in Shelby Twp. share their stories and insights on different types of collaboration between churches. This is part 4 of […]

Rev. Matt Schuler from Journey Lutheran Church in Oxford shares the stories of how vital partnerships have been to his church and encourages other churches in our District to work […]

Michigan District Facilitators Rev. Dan Meckes and Rev. John Greig join the podcast to talk about church partnerships as part 2 of a series on collaborating with other churches. Part […]

Michigan District Facilitators Rev. Dan Meckes and Rev. John Greig join the podcast to talk about the life cycle of a church. This is part of a series on partnering […]

The Executive Director of The Luke Clinic, Penny Armbruster, joins the podcast to share the heartbreak and the success in the stories about the mothers and babies who receive their […]

Rev. David Grimm joins the podcast to share the stories and ways God is working at Revive Fest, a summer of music and worship at the En Gedi Campground in […]

Rev. Bill Wangelin and his wife Kristin join the podcast to talk about how God is working at the Lutheran Adult Gathering on Mackinac Island. They also share some amazing […]

Despite chaos, including a recent shooting and string of house fires, Franklin Avenue Mission (FAM) continues to bring God's hope to the Flint community. Brian Baughman, the Executive Director of […]

Rev. Dr. David P.E. Maier joins the podcast to talk about a new ministry he's involved in, called Mission Partners Platform and its support toward the Prayer and Praise Gatherings for […]

Rev. Bryan Schindel from Cross and Resurrection on the campus of Eastern Michigan University joins the podcast. He talks about the importance of bringing college students to Christ at the […]

Rev. Dr. Charles Schulz and CUAA student Justin Goodrich discuss how and why they got started in ministry and share advice and encouragement to others interested in taking the step. […]

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Deaconess Christie Hansard joins the podcast to discuss how we can identify and cope with stress. She also shares important resources on the topic. […]

Rev. Dr. Rob Kasper sits down with three women who are spiritual influencers in the Michigan District and who work to raise awareness for full-time church work. Part 1 | […]

Rev. Dr. Rob Kasper leads a discussion with Carole Koke and Joel Zander (Faith, Grand Blanc) on the importance of raising up full-time church workers with the youth in our […]

Jeff Heisner is joined by professional church workers Luke Esselman and Tyler Seehafer. They discuss their new vlog, which will target the needs of professional church workers throughout the Michigan […]

Rev. Dan Howard from Hope, Warren sits down with Jeff Heisner to talk about a thriving young adult ministry and how they've engaged with a demographic group the church has […]

Rev. Dr. Matthew Heise joins the podcast to share some amazing stories of how the Lutheran Heritage Foundation is spreading the Word of God. Some of those stories include missionaries […]

Rev. Dr. Rob Kasper, Director of Leadership Development for the Michigan District, LCMS leads a discussion with Rev. Bryce Roche and Rev. David McCarty about alternate routes to becoming a […]

Rev. Dr. Rob Kasper, Michigan District, LCMS Director of Leadership Development, leads a discussion with Rev. Bob Scott and Rev. Steve Woodfin on alternate routes to becoming a pastor. They […]

Marty Moro, Executive Director of MOST Ministries, joins the podcast to share stories from the mission field and the immediate needs that their eyeglass ministry is facing. Show Notes: Find […]

How do we make decisions that are in the best interest of our congregations? Michigan District, LCMS President, Rev. David A. Davis, and Director of Leadership Development, Rev. Dr. Rob […]

How do we make decisions that are in the best interest of our congregations? Michigan District, LCMS President, Rev. David A. Davis, and Director of Leadership Development, Rev. Dr. Rob […]

How do we make decisions that are in the best interest of our congregations? Michigan District, LCMS President, Rev. David A. Davis, and Director of Leadership Development, Rev. Dr. Rob […]

Rev. Gabe Kasper and Rev. Marcus Lane from University Lutheran Chapel in Ann Arbor share stories and advice for ministering in the post-Christian world that's no longer hostile, but indifferent. […]

Jeff Heisner is joined by two members of the Michigan District Board of Directors to discuss how the board is seeking and listening to input from congregations throughout the district. […]

Rev. Paul Clark joins the Thought Leader Podcast to discuss what's happening a year after Prop 3 became a reality in Michigan and to encourage our church body to join […]

Michigan District, LCMS President Rev. David A. Davis talks with Rev. Brad Hubbard about the upcoming Professional Church Workers Conference.   Show Notes: For everything you need to know about […]

Michigan District President Rev. David A. Davis leads an important conversation with Mr. Travis Grulke and Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz on the topic of the proper Christian posture toward culture. […]

Michigan District President Rev. David A. Davis leads an important conversation with Travis Grulke and Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz on the topic of key legislation that impacts the church. Show […]

Rev. Dr. Robert Kasper joins the Thought Leader Podcast to discuss what happened at The 68th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and how it affects the Michigan District, […]

Rev. A Trevor Sutton joins the Thought Leader Podcast to discuss artificial intelligence (AI): What are the uses for AI in the church and what are the possible pitfalls that […]

Topic: In this Thought Leader Podcast, Jeff Heisner talks with Rev. Steve Zank, Dr. John Boonenberg, and Dan Reinert about Worship Arts and how the new Community Worship Network Gatherings […]