The Red Letter Disciple

How much should Lutheran churches change to reach the next generation? Seth Kasten of Scholastic Lutherans joins Zach Zehnder to discuss historic Lutheran worship, the freedom churches have to innovate, and what the Lutheran Confessions actually require. They also explore spiritual disciplines, discipleship, weekly communion, and why the future of Lutheranism may depend on what happens in our homes. To access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.

Matthew Gehne grew up Lutheran, drifted from his faith, and rediscovered it after falling in love with a Catholic woman and moving into Baptist country. Now he's using social media to help a new generation discover historic Lutheran theology. Join Zach and Matthew as they explore what Lutherans can learn from Catholics and Baptists, why young adults are attracted to historic Christianity, and why the LCMS may have a greater opportunity than it realizes. To access show notes, go to www.redletterpodcast.com.

Joel Biermann returns to The Red Letter Disciple after the 2026 LCMS presidential election to reflect on the experience and respond to new State of the LCMS Survey data on worship, pastoral formation, church unity, young adults, and the future of the Synod. To access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.

What actually makes worship Lutheran? Concordia Seminary professor Kent Burreson joins Zach to talk worship wars, Christian freedom, adiaphora, Word and Sacrament, traditional and contemporary worship, women reading Scripture, pastoral formation, and why Lutherans may be closer together than we think. To access show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.

What happens when a congregation knows its current path isn’t sustainable? Scott Giger, Greg Griffith, and Tom Pfotenhauer join Zach to talk honestly about church mergers, multisite ministry, revitalization, pastoral shortages, and how struggling congregations can find new life instead of simply closing their doors. To access show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.