Sandy Wendelin has led faithfully for 41 years—but she’s come dangerously close to walking away more than once. Why? Because the Church still doesn’t know how to handle conflict. In this raw, honest episode, Sandy and Tim expose the unspoken tensions in church leadership: from failed mergers, second-chair burnout, passive-aggressive church culture, and what happens when we fawn instead of fight.

Plus, they tackle the hard questions: Why are we so slow to change? Are LCMS women truly empowered to lead? And is our obsession with tradition stopping the Gospel from moving forward?

Whether you're a pastor, DCE, teacher, or lay leader—this one will hit home.

🔔 Subscribe, comment, and share your experience. Let’s start having the hard conversations that move the Church forward.

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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, providing a framework for living the Christian life in all contexts. He challenges us to move beyond compartmentalized faith to an integrated understanding of how liturgy shapes our identity and mission.

• Liturgy forms Christians to live the Christian life in the world, connecting Sunday worship to Monday living
• The divine service is not just about one hour of worship but about shaping believers for their mission throughout the week
• Two axes of discipleship: passive righteousness (what God does for us) and active righteousness (how we live toward others)
• Three tiers of liturgical understanding: story, Word and Sacrament, and rites/ceremonies
• The Kyrie ("Lord have mercy") is not just penitential but an act of advocacy for those in need
• Christian worship should equip people for hospitality, generosity, and blessing others daily
• Every home can be a liturgical space where faith is formed and practiced
• Unity in liturgy doesn't require uniformity in practices

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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. The conversation navigates deep theological waters with practical applications for how the church lives out its mission in today's polarized world.

• The theology of the cross vs. theology of glory - understanding the cross as both the source and shape of our salvation
• Common misreadings of Paul that focus only on individual forgiveness instead of communal transformation
• How Western Christianity tends to individualize Paul's messages that were written to communities
• Understanding grace as "unconditional but not unconditioned" - requiring grateful response
• Why faith, love, and hope form the core theological virtues in Paul's writings
• The concept of "anticipatory participation" - living now as a foretaste of God's coming kingdom
• How peace-making should be central to the church's witness in a polarized society
• The dangers of Christians seeking worldly influence and power rather than servant leadership

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