Rested, Recharged, and Ready for Gospel Partnership

Tim Ahlman
Aug 11, 2025
2 min read

I am so grateful for our partnership in the Gospel through the ULC. Following my 10-week sabbatical, I am fired up for our next season ministry through the ULC.

So what did I do (not do)? I shut ministry down in my head, heart, and hands. Seven years ago when I took my last sabbatical, I kept connected via my cell phone and email. That was not entirely restful. Thanks to our amazing team at Christ Greenfield, and through the ULC and my stellar executive assistant, Dawn McCannon, I was able to fully disconnect. No phone. No email. It was lovely.

I traveled with my family. Florida. Mexico. Colorado. Wyoming. Utah. Arizona. Four national parks, beaches, books, weight lifting more than usual, and mid-afternoon naps. Alexa and I soaked up time with our three teenagers, making memories. Time goes by so fast.

On Sundays, I worshiped with my family like a normal dad. Receiving Word and Sacrament with them was a gift.

My only work-related activity was getting the vast majority of my first book, Confessing Jesus' Mission: A Pastor's Prayer for the LCMS, close to completion. I am grateful to Zach Zehnder, Rachel Grack, Trey Cox, and Kate Kness for their consistent editing and content consultation. Getting a book to the finish line is more work than I thought. We are excited for the first book (hopefully of many) published by the Unite Leadership Publishing. October 31st—Reformation Day—is our targeted release date. I pray you’ll read it. It will give you deeper insight into our approach to ministry through the ULC, as well as a greater awareness of our prayers for partnership with the LCMS.