Introducing the Michigan District Podcast Network5 min read

Do you have a favorite podcast? I certainly do. I won’t name it or tell you I endorse everything said in it, but I am a fan. I am constantly listening to different audio shows. I have a new episode of my shows to listen to each day of the work week. I listen while I am driving, working on tasks in the office, and doing chores. And I’m not alone. According to Pew Research, the number of Americans who listen to podcasts has increased substantially over the past decade. Other statistics, done by Edison Research, show that podcast listeners are highly engaged in listening to episodes, averaging 8.3 episodes per week.

Podcasting is fast-growing and listening to podcasts can be very beneficial for our congregants in the Michigan District.

In many different online spaces, I see people asking, “What are some good Lutheran podcasts?” or “Where can I find good Lutheran content?” The Michigan District, LCMS is seeking to step into this desire for content created by Lutherans with our distinct theological flair.

Let us introduce: The Michigan District Podcast Network. The Michigan District Podcast Network exists to present the Christian hope from a Lutheran perspective through podcasts. This network will be composed of shows produced by the Michigan District, along with a curated collection of podcasts from fellow members, pastors, and church workers, covering topics relevant to the Church and our theology.

You can view these shows on our new and improved Podcast page on the Michigan District website.

Our Original Content

Our original content will ever grow. Here are our planned shows, as well as shows already in production:

Mission in the Mitten

Mission in the Mitten asks ministries around our district about the misconceptions, driving passions, and replicability of their ministry. It’s not a commercial for their program (though we do want you to support them!), but an opportunity for them to share stories of the Church rightly being the Church.

Conversations on Culture & Faith

Paul reminds us in Romans 12:2 to “not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” This reminder drives all conversation on this podcast. Panels will discuss issues pressing to our culture and our churches through our uniquely Lutheran lens.

With One Heart: Stories of Lutheran Education

Lutheran education is valued in our district. Stories of how Lutheran education has impacted current students and their families, coaches, teachers, and other community members will be featured. “Concordia” means “with one heart,” and that’s exactly what we aim to build—a unified community centered on forming disciples of Christ to live out their vocations in service to others.

MI Sermoncast – Launching Advent 2025

Sermons from churches across Michigan that bring the Word of God directly to you. We are currently seeking sermon submissions from all around the state. Have a favorite sermon of your own or your pastor’s? We encourage all to submit them here.

Our Partner Shows

We’ve also sourced a variety of partner shows. Our first cohort is as follows:

Life in Relationship

Writer, deaconess, and licensed clinical social worker Heidi Goehmann, alongside pastor and partner in life, Rev. David Goehmann, answer one relationship question per episode so that we can all live more genuinely in our relationships each day.

Suffering Servants: Conversations of the Unspoken

Christianity has a lot of unspoken suffering and challenges. Suffering Servants attempts to bring these everyday struggles into the modern context by reading books, articles, and conversing about the ever-changing culture and the Church’s response to such change. Join host Pastor Tyler Cronkright as he has conversations with other “suffering servants” about their sufferings in life and what God has revealed to them through those sufferings.

Ringside Preachers

Enjoy thoughtful and humorous discussion about hot topics from God’s point of view. Our hosts are the Reverends Ross Engel, Paul Koch, Joel A. Hess, and Tyler the Intern. You will hear some arguing, disagreeing, and a little banter. Each pastor isn’t afraid to call it like it is. Yet he also isn’t afraid to change his mind!

The Next Step Podcast

The Next Step Podcast, hosted by Rev. Dr. Justin Rossow, helps you delight in taking a next step following Jesus. This podcast is dedicated to exploring resources, tools, and experiments that help us help each other follow Jesus better.

Grace on Tap

Mike Yagley and Rev. Dr. Evan Gaertner have been recording the podcast Grace on Tap since 2017. They began doing this podcast as a way to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the posting of the 95 Theses by Martin Luther. Each episode looks at a historical moment in the Reformation and features a beer break when they review a local beer.

Beyond the Breakwater

Beyond the Breakwater – just beyond the crashing waves of fear, discomfort, and doubt lies the greatest potential for life transformation. Rev. Ed Doerner and host Lyndsay Smokovitz want to guide you into the open waters where the calculated risk you take becomes the turning point for you or your organization to thrive.

We are thrilled these shows agreed to join our network.

Our new podcast network is an endeavor we are excited to watch grow. As episodes get released and you listen to the different shows of the network, we encourage you to share what you are learning. Our prayer is that this network would serve to edify you and encourage you to “think on these things” as stated in Philippians 4.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4:8).

Explore the podcast network here.