PODCAST · religion
Synod Stories
by Brian Yamabe
Synod Stories is a show about the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod: where it’s been, where it is, and where it’s going.Our goal is to look at the entire Synod—celebrating its wins, facing its challenges, and exploring the unique perspectives that shape its future. We’ll talk with Circuit Visitors and others who can share insights you won’t hear from a single congregation or a synodical official.We’re starting with coverage from the convention, but this is just the beginning. Join us as we tell the stories of the LCMS from voices across the church body.
Episodes
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Synod Stories 18: ASL Liturgy, Closed Communion, and No-Script Sermons
Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller runs two congregations in Austin, Texas — a large English-speaking parish and a small congregation that worships entirely in American Sign Language. He explains how the historic liturgy adapts into ASL, how his church handles close communion responsibly with 80-100…
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Synod Stories 17: One Vicar, Two Churches — Fixing the Pastor Shortage
What happens when one vicar is assigned to two very different churches at once? Vicar Isaiah Mudge has spent the past year splitting his time between Shepherd of the Valley, a suburban congregation, and First Emmanuel, an inner-city church with a thriving Spanish-language congregation and no…
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Synod Stories 16: Inside the CTCR with Dr. Martin Noland
The Commission on Theology and Church Relations — the CTCR — is one of the LCMS's most influential bodies, yet most laypeople couldn't explain what it actually does. In this episode, host Brian Yamabe sits down with Dr. Martin Noland, pastor, historian, and CTCR nominee, to trace the commission...
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Synod Stories 15: Marine-Turned-Pastor on Worship, Confession & AI
Rev. Isaac Wirtz didn't grow up wanting to be a pastor. He was heading toward CIA interrogation work when a misfiled seminary application, a Marine's willingness to be the dumbest guy in the room, and a nagging sense that the harvest was ready redirected his life to Fort Wayne and eventually to...
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Synod Stories 14: AI Reads Committee 7 — All 29 Convention Overtures
What happens when you feed every overture in LCMS Convention Committee 7 into an AI and just start asking questions? In this solo episode, Brian Yamabe walks through all 29 overtures headed into the University Education committee at the 2026 LCMS National Convention — using an actual AI...
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Synod Stories 13: Confessions, Cryptids & the Baptist Belt
Pastor Willie Grills of Zion Lutheran Church in Alexander, Arkansas came to confessional Lutheranism the hard way — through Reformed circles, the Confessions, and a seminary formation that took him from Peru to Iowa before landing in Baptist country. In this conversation, Brian and Willie work...
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Synod Stories 12: Pastoral Formation with Dr. Adam Koontz
One of the hottest topics heading into the 2026 LCMS Convention is pastoral formation and Dr. Adam Koontz just attended a gathering in Las Vegas where district presidents, pastors, and church leaders spent a day and a half hashing it out. This conversation goes deep. Pastor Koontz shares what he...
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Synod Stories 11: Gen Z Lutheran on Dating Crisis & Church Revival
Ray Sexton is only 20 years old, but he sees the crisis clearly: his generation is struggling to date, marry, and form faithful Lutheran families. In this frank conversation, Ray shares his journey as a lifelong LCMS member in Springfield, Missouri, his plans for seminary, and why he believes the...
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Synod Stories 10: Remote Seminary Reality Check
In this candid conversation, Brian sits down with Vicar Tyree Toney to discuss his unexpected journey from social media theology debates to seminary vicarage. As someone currently in the Cross-Cultural Ministry Center (CMC) program, Vicar Toney provides rare insider perspective on alternate...
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Synod Stories 09: Reclaiming Christian Masculinity with Memento
Pastor Bryan Stecker, Associate Pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Waconia, Minnesota, joins us to discuss his latest endeavor: Memento. This innovative Lutheran discipleship program is helping men reclaim Christian masculinity through practical disciplines like fasting, cold exposure, and...
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Synod Stories 08: Pastor Joshua Reber on Circuit Brotherhood and Confession
Pastor Joshua Reber of Faith Lutheran and Trinity Lutheran (Minnesota North District) shares what genuine pastoral brotherhood looks like. He discusses circuit life, the importance of shared worship and mutual support, and how honest conversation and biblical fidelity strengthen the church. From...
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Synod Stories 07: The Lutheran Doctrine of Church, Ministry, and Power
Who holds the ultimate authority in the church? Is it the bishops, the pastors, or the people in the pews? In this episode, Dr. Martin Richard Noland provides a scholarly and accessible tour through the Lutheran Confessions to answer these very questions. The conversation focuses on the doctrine…
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Synod Stories 06: From Pentecostal to Lutheran Missionary in Germany
What happens when the son of a Pentecostal pastor discovers the clarity of Lutheran theology? For Vicar Peter Williams, it changed everything. This episode chronicles his fascinating journey from a faith rooted in experience to one grounded in Scripture alone, and how that path has led him to a...
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Synod Stories 05: A Hopeful Outlook on the Missouri Synod
In this episode, we welcome Pastor Justin Schmidt of Peace Lutheran Church in McMurray, Pennsylvania. As a circuit visitor in the English District, Pastor Schmidt provides an encouraging perspective on the future of the Missouri Synod, arguing that we have more advantages than we realize and that...
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Synod Stories 04: The History and Theology of LCMS Church Government
How did the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod develop its unique form of church government? This episode explores the concept of "polity," tracing its historical roots from the Reformation and European Lutheranism to its development on American soil. Dr. Martin Noland joins the show to discuss the...
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Synod Stories 03: A Blueprint for a Confessional Synod with Erich Johnson
What does it take to change the direction of an entire church body? For Erich Johnson, a layman from Wisconsin and a founder of the Flacius Caucus, the answer is simple: intentional, organized action. In this episode, Erich unveils a comprehensive, grassroots effort to nominate a full slate of...
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Synod Stories 02: Dr. Martin Noland on How LCMS Convention Nominations & Resolutions Work
Welcome back to Synod Stories! With the LCMS National Convention approaching, are you ready to make your voice heard? In this episode, host Brian Yamabe is joined again by Dr. Martin Nolan, former director of the Concordia Historical Institute, to pull back the curtain on how the convention…
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Synod Stories 01: A Guide to LCMS Convention Nominations, Overtures, and Deadlines
In this informative episode of Synod Stories, host Brian Yamabe interviews Dr. Martin Noland, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in San Mateo, California, and former director of the Concordia Historical Institute, about the upcoming Lutheran Church Missouri Synod National Convention. Dr. Noland...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Synod Stories is a show about the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod: where it’s been, where it is, and where it’s going.Our goal is to look at the entire Synod—celebrating its wins, facing its challenges, and exploring the unique perspectives that shape its future. We’ll talk with Circuit Visitors and others who can share insights you won’t hear from a single congregation or a synodical official.We’re starting with coverage from the convention, but this is just the beginning. Join us as we tell the stories of the LCMS from voices across the church body.
HOSTED BY
Brian Yamabe
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Synod Stories have?
Synod Stories currently has 18 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Synod Stories about?
Synod Stories is a show about the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod: where it’s been, where it is, and where it’s going.Our goal is to look at the entire Synod—celebrating its wins, facing its challenges, and exploring the unique perspectives that shape its future. We’ll talk with Circuit Visitors and...
How often does Synod Stories release new episodes?
Synod Stories has 18 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Synod Stories?
You can listen to Synod Stories on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Synod Stories?
Synod Stories is created and hosted by Brian Yamabe.
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