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PODCAST

The Red Letter Disciple

Red Letter Living, LLC

Welcome to Red Letter Disciple, a podcast to challenge you and your church to be greater disciples of Jesus so that together we can unleash the greatest and fullest expression of Jesus possible. When we do, when we truly live as disciples of Jesus, the world will never be the same! Your host, Pastor and author Zach Zehnder, will guide you through some incredible conversations with world-class disciples. Let’s do this.

religion & spirituality christianity

All Episodes

01:05:00

133: After 12 Failed Call Attempts, This LCMS Church...

The Red Letter Disciple ·

2026/04/25

What happens when a declining LCMS church chooses courage over comfort? This episode shares the real story of a church merger that brought new life, new people, and renewed faith. As more and more LCMS churches are in decline, helping churches merge like this is a path forward. To access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.

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02:01:04

132: Forming LCMS Pastors: Residential vs. Online...

The Red Letter Disciple ·

2026/04/18

What actually forms a faithful pastor? District Presidents Nathan Meador and Wally Vinovskis unpack residential vs. online seminary and what our LCMS churches really need today. To access the snow notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.

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01:04:15

131: Brady Finnern on LCMS President, Decline, Hope,...

The Red Letter Disciple ·

2026/04/11

Brady Finnern joins Red Letter Disciple to talk about the future of the LCMS, why forgiveness still matters, what concerns him about decline, and how hope in Christ can shape the church’s next chapter. To access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.

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01:05:07

130: LCMS Presidential Candidate Joel Biermann on the...

The Red Letter Disciple ·

2026/04/04

What would Joel Biermann prioritize if he became LCMS president? In this episode, Zach sits down with Biermann to talk about confessional unity, discipleship, church politics, young adults, worship tensions, and what a more engaged future for the LCMS could look like. To access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.

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01:01:16

129: Kenny Jahng on How AI Will Disrupt Ministry,...

The Red Letter Disciple ·

2026/03/30

Kenny Jahng joins Zach Zehnder to talk about why AI is more than a productivity tool. This conversation explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping work, identity, relationships, discipleship, and the future of the church. To access the show notes, go to www.redletterpodcast.com.

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01:06:14

128: Pastoral Succession, Leadership Pipelines, and...

The Red Letter Disciple ·

2026/03/23

What happens when a pastor retires without a plan? In this episode, Zach talks with his dad, Mark Zehnder, about pastoral succession, leadership transitions, the LCMS pastor shortage, and why churches need intentional pipelines for the next generation of leaders. To access the show notes, go to www.redletterpodcast.com.

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01:05:21

127: Should SMP Pastors Always Be Supervised and Have...

The Red Letter Disciple ·

2026/03/16

Should SMP pastors always remain under supervision and limited status in the LCMS? Pastor Frank Hart shares his story, challenges, and hopes for pastoral formation in the church. To access the show notes, go to www.redletterpodcast.com.

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01:05:01

126: The Church’s Leadership Pipeline Problem | Dave...

The Red Letter Disciple ·

2026/03/09

Why are so many churches struggling to find their next youth pastor, worship leader, or ministry staff member? In this episode, Zach sits down with Dave Miller to talk about the church’s leadership pipeline problem, why Gen Z gives real reason for hope, and how residency programs can help churches raise up leaders from within. If you care about mentoring young leaders, staffing the future Church, and building a healthier ministry pipeline, this conversation is for you. To access the show notes,

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01:02:27

Why the LCMS Needs More DCEs (Gen Z + Women Serving...

The Red Letter Disciple ·

2026/03/02

What exactly does a DCE do—and why is the LCMS facing a major shortage? Concordia St. Paul DCE Program Director Shelly Schwalm joins Zach to talk about discipleship, Gen Z’s fears and faith, women serving in the LCMS, and behind-the-scenes insights from the 2025 LCMS Youth Gathering. To access the show notes, please visit www.redletterpodcast.com.

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01:08:05

Gen Z Men Are Returning to Church… So Why Are Gen Z...

The Red Letter Disciple ·

2026/02/23

Gen Z men are returning to church. Gen Z women are leaving. What’s going on—and what should church leaders do about it? In this episode, Zach sits down with Grant and Cheyanne Skeldon (Way Church, Nashville | THINQ) to unpack the gender gap emerging in Gen Z and how discipleship is the key to reaching the next generation. To access the show notes, please visit www.redletterpodcast.com.

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01:01:25

You Are Not a Mistake | Tanner Olson on Hope & the...

The Red Letter Disciple ·

2026/02/16

Poet and author Tanner Olson joins Zach Zehnder for a powerful conversation about hope, pain, youth ministry, infertility, anxiety, and the power of words. Plus, Tanner shares two poems from his brand new book Getting Through What You’re Going Through. To access the show notes, please visit www.redletterpodcast.com.

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01:08:18

122: Mart Thompson | Everything You Need to Know...

The Red Letter Disciple ·

2026/02/09

Dr. W. Mart Thompson, Director of the SMP Program at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis joins Zach to explain how SMP works, who it’s for, why it exists, and what outcomes the LCMS should actually expect—cutting through confusion in a convention year. To access the show notes, please visit www.redletterpodcast.com.

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01:03:52

121: Why the SMP Program Works—and Naming the False...

The Red Letter Disciple ·

2026/02/02

Tim Ahlman returns on the podcast to discuss pastoral formation, trust, division, and his new book Confessing Jesus’ Mission. A candid, hopeful conversation about the future of the LCMS and the work still ahead. To access the show notes, please visit www.redletterpodcast.com.

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00:58:16

120: How Michael Zeigler Prepares Sermons, Memorizes...

The Red Letter Disciple ·

2026/01/26

Michael Zeigler of Lutheran Hour Ministries joins Zach to talk sermon prep, Scripture memory, pastoral formation, preaching in a studio vs. a sanctuary, and how digital media, even AI, can faithfully serve the Church. To access the show notes, please visit www.redletterpodcast.com.

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01:20:50

119: Pastoral Formation, Opportunity Cost, and the...

The Red Letter Disciple ·

2026/01/19

Jack Kalleberg joins Zach to discuss pastoral formation, leadership development, and the hidden costs shaping the future of the LCMS—exploring opportunity cost, SMP, online formation, and what the church needs next. To access the show notes, please visit www.redletterpodcast.com.

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01:04:37

118: Why Luther’s Doctrine of Vocation Still Matters...

The Red Letter Disciple ·

2026/01/12

Dr. Gene Veith joins Zach for a rich and hope-filled conversation about vocation, ordinary life, and where God is really at work. Gene Veith is an author, longtime professor, and one of the most influential Lutheran thinkers of the last several decades. To access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.

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01:16:29

117: The Tension Between Synod and Congregations in...

The Red Letter Disciple ·

2026/01/06

Dr. Todd Jones joins Zach to explore pastoral formation, ecclesiology, and the growing tension between Synod and the local church in the LCMS—drawing from C.F.W. Walther and decades of ministry experience. To access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.

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01:24:33

116: SMP Pastors, Pathways, and the Future of the...

The Red Letter Disciple ·

2025/12/29

Matt Popovits joins Zach for an honest conversation on pastoral formation, SMP, LCMS leadership, preaching, AI, and mission. Matt shares his journey, why pathways must expand, and the wild story of how he won Wheel of Fortune. Visit www.redletterpodcast.com for more.

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01:09:10

115: What Joe Rogan Gets About Men (That the Church...

The Red Letter Disciple ·

2025/12/23

Pastor Bryan Stecker joins Zach to discuss why men are returning to faith, what Joe Rogan reveals about today’s masculine search for meaning, the power of habits, and how the church can form stronger men in a digital age. Visit www.redletterpodcast.com for more.

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01:04:46

114: Online Formation and the Future of LCMS...

The Red Letter Disciple ·

2025/12/22

CSP President Dr. Brian Friedrich joins Zach to discuss the fragility of higher ed, the future of LCMS universities, innovation in formation, Gen Z’s surprising openness to faith, and why Lutheran education still matters. Visit www.redletterpodcast.com for more.

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141 results

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