Who’s Actually Joining the LCMS? | Looking at LCMS Data with Dr. Lyman Stone

What’s really happening inside the LCMS right now? In this episode of Lead Time, Tim Ahlman and Jack sit down with Dr. Lyman Stone—demographer and creator of the Lutheran Religious Life Survey—to unpack the most surprising data trends in the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Join the conversation in the comments: What trends are you seeing in your church? From church growth myths to preaching styles… from traditional worship to unexpected theological shifts… this conversation challenges assumptions and raises important questions about the future of the church. ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ Care about the future of the LCMS? Join the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter) https://www.uniteleadership.org/thelc... ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ Topics include: Are LCMS numbers being overstated? Why some churches are growing (and others are declining) The surprising role of traditional liturgy in church growth Do biblical languages actually impact preaching? The rise of “Reformed-leaning” beliefs inside Lutheran churches Who is actually converting to the LCMS today This isn’t about criticism—it’s about clarity. Because if we want to lead faithfully, we need to understand reality. Chapters 00:00 – Intro 00:45 – Meet Dr. Lyman Stone 03:30 – How the Survey Works (and Why It Matters) 10:40 – Are LCMS Numbers Accurate? 14:00 – Attendance vs. Actual Engagement 20:00 – Post-COVID Church Growth Explained 24:00 – Who’s Actually Joining the LCMS? 29:00 – Biblical Languages: Do They Matter? 35:30 – What Makes a “Good Sermon”? 42:00 – Expository vs. Structured Preaching 48:30 – Traditional Worship Is Growing? 54:30 – Why Weekly Communion Matters 58:30 – The Rise of “Reformed Thinking” in the LCMS 1:04:30 – What This Means for the Future 1:10:00 – Final Thoughts + Takeaways