The Grace Place Podcast

Outreach, Wellness and Witness: A Conversation with Chad Lakies

Rev. Dr. Chad Lakies, Vice President for Ministry Engagement with Lutheran Hour Ministries, joins the podcast to share his unique journey to faith and ministry with hosts Rev. Tom Eggebrecht and Rev. Dr. Greg Walton. Chad came to faith a little later in life—from playing drums for a local LCMS congregation to answering God's call to pastoral ministry.  In this conversation, Chad discusses his work at Lutheran Hour Ministries, helping congregations become more outreach-focused and equipping Christians to share the Gospel with those outside the church. He also reflects on the challenges facing Christians today, including the need for meaningful relationships; the growing importance of rest and wellness; and how believers can faithfully shine Christ's light in uncertain times.  Tune in to hear Chad's inspiring story, his insights on engaging the unchurched and why rest may be one of the most overlooked spiritual needs in the Church today.

Creating Quiet Spaces for Church Workers: Jennie and Brian Williamson on Fields of Zephaniah

On this episode of the Grace Place Podcast, Rev. Tom Eggebrecht and Rev. Dr. Greg Walton welcome Jennie and Brian Williamson, a couple with decades of experience serving churches and schools through music. They share how God led them from full-time touring and recording into adding a new retreat ministry in Perry County, Missouri, called Fields of Zephaniah. At this quiet space on the grounds of Saxon Lutheran Memorial, church workers and ministry leaders step away from the noise, rediscover rest and listen again for the Lord’s voice. Jennie and Brian talk about the power of four days of “nothing,” the gift of a mile-long prayer walk and why music remains the glue that holds their calling together.

Forming the Next Generation: Wellness and Recruitment in the LCMS with James Baneck

How does God prepare a person for a lifetime of ministry?   In this episode of the Grace Place Wellness Podcast, hosts Rev. Tom Eggebrecht and Rev. Dr. Greg Walton sit down with Rev. Dr. James Baneck, Executive Director of LCMS Pastoral Education. Dr. Baneck shares his journey from a music major in Green Bay to leading synod-wide initiatives for pastoral formation. We dive deep into the "Set Apart to Serve" campaign, discussing how the LCMS is aggressively tackling church work enrollment and breaking down barriers to recruitment. From the importance of emotional intelligence in the pre-seminary years to the vital role of "PALS" (Post-Seminary Applied Learning and Support), this episode explores how intentional wellness and congregational care are the keys to sustaining the next generation of church workers.

Emergent Leaders, Deep Listening and Church Worker Wellness with Kurt Bickel

Longtime director of Christian education, consultant and Dale E. Griffin Statesman Award honoree Kurt Bickel joins the podcast to talk about wellness that lasts in real-life ministry. Join cohosts Rev. Tom Eggebrecht and Rev. Dr. Greg Walton as Kurt shares how God led him into DCE ministry, the story behind his work with the LCMS Youth Gathering and what he learned about leadership, mission and conflict along the way. He unpacks why “listening is the language of love,” how emergent leader training helped church workers and laity unlearn unhelpful patterns and why a clear mission can defuse conflict on a team.

Rethinking Church Worker Wellness with Rev. Dr. Bruce Hartung

Rev. Dr. Bruce Hartung, a longtime LCMS pastor, counselor, seminary professor and author of “Holding Up the Prophet’s Hand” and “Building Up the Body of Christ,” joins the podcast for a rich conversation on church worker wellness. Drawing on decades of ministry, Dr. Hartung reflects on the Spirit’s leading through unexpected calls, the power of retrospection and why learning from the people we serve is central to lifelong formation. Join co-hosts Rev. Tom Eggebrecht and Rev. Dr. Greg Walton as Rev. Dr. Hartung addresses spiritual warfare in the seminary, the dangers of a purely “remedial” approach to health and the growing pressures church workers face in an increasingly polarized culture. Listen for practical ideas for shifting congregations toward preventive wellness, nurturing spiritual life in community and creating a genuine culture of appreciation that supports joyful ministers and joyful ministry. Whether you’re a pastor, church worker or lay leader, this episode will encourage you to be well and stay well in the grace, love, peace, mercy and forgiveness of Jesus.