Taking care of yourself is crucial to serving with passion and purpose. Join two experienced voices in ministry, Rev. Tom Eggebrecht and Rev. Dr. Greg Walton, as they delve into the world of preventative and restorative wellness tailored to LCMS church workers and those who love them. From maintaining healthy relationships to nurturing spiritual, mental and physical wellness, you’ll hear valuable insights, practical tips and inspiring stories that resonate with your journey in ministry. Grac ...
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The Lutheran Church Extenstion Fund Podcasts

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Leading with Faith – A Conversation with Bart Day
40:45
40:45
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40:45In this special episode of The Grace Place Wellness Podcast, hosts Tom and Greg welcome Rev. Bart Day, President and CEO of Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF). With a rich background of LCMS leadership experience, Bart brings a wealth of insight and heart to the conversation. Together, they explore the intersection of faith, leadership, wellness…
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Relationships First: A Wellness Conversation with Rev. Dr. Mark Hannemann
43:42
43:42
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43:42What does it take to care well for church workers and ourselves? In this episode, Rev. Dr. Mark Hannemann, Executive Director of Good Friend Ministries and Director of Advancement for GracePoint Institute for Relational Health, joins Tom and Greg to share the path that led him from parish ministry into pastoral care, explain the heart behind a retr…
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Serving God and Country: The Ministry of Military Chaplains w/ Craig Muehler and Steve Hokana
50:29
50:29
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50:29Chaplain Craig Muehler and Chaplain Steve Hokana, both of whom serve the LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces, share their journeys into military chaplaincy, the unique challenges chaplains face and how they provide spiritual care for service members in high-stress environments. From PTSD awareness to the power of spiritual resilience, this episode hi…
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Leadership in ministry comes with great responsibility—but also great challenges. How do church workers navigate the demands of their calling without sacrificing their own well-being? In Episode 20 of the Grace Place Podcast, Rev. Dr. Ben Haupt, Global Executive Director of Pastoral Leadership Institute, shares how his own leadership journey shaped…
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3 Simple Wellness Tips Every Church Worker Needs to Hear
39:24
39:24
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39:24How can church workers find balance during ministry challenges? In this episode, Rev. Dr. Brian Friedrich, President of Concordia University, St. Paul, joins co-hosts Rev. Tom Eggebrecht and Rev. Dr. Greg Walton to discuss practical ways to sustain wellness, embrace joy and foster strong connections. From the impact of Lutheran higher education to …
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Co-hosts Rev. Tom Eggebrecht and Rev. Dr. Greg Walton sit down with Rev. Dr. Jeff Schrank, the dynamic leader behind the Best Practices Ministry Conference, to discuss church worker wellness and the power of encouragement. They explore how the conference supports church workers through connection, hospitality and meaningful ministry insights. Learn…
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Finding Balance and Joy This Holiday Season
28:00
28:00
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28:00As the Advent season unfolds and the rush toward Christmas begins,the demands on church workers can feel overwhelming. In Episode 17 of the Grace Place Podcast, Rev. Tom Eggebrecht and Rev. Dr. Greg Walton share essential strategies for maintaining physical, emotional and spiritual wellness during this busy yet joyful season. Start this holiday sea…
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Mental Health in Ministry: A Candid Conversation for Church Workers
44:41
44:41
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44:41Father-daughter duo Rev. Dr. Rick Armstrong and Megan Miessler, Executive Director of Lutheran Counseling Services, join the podcast for episode 16. They share their experiences in providing mental health support to church workers and their families and addressing challenges like burnout, identity struggles and the importance of mental health in mi…
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Spiritual Growth, Rest and Encouragement with Voice in the Vineyard
37:19
37:19
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37:19Voice in the Vineyard is a nonprofit that provides church workers a peaceful retreat in the vineyard, combining spiritual growth, rest and encouragement. Join hosts Rev. Tom Eggebrecht and Rev. Dr. Greg Walton for Episode 15 as they welcome Cindy Steinbeck, owner of Steinbeck Vineyards, and Steve Schedler, a retired Director of Christian Education,…
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Caring for Church Workers: Strategies and Insights from Dr. Tiffany Manor
43:26
43:26
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43:26Deaconess Dr. Tiffany Manor shares her journey in ministry, highlighting the essential work of supporting church workers and their families in Episode 14 of the Grace Place Podcast. The Managing Director of Human Care and Ministerial Support for the LCMS, Manor joins co-hosts Rev. Tom Eggebrecht and Rev. Dr. Greg Walton to discuss the challenges fa…
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The Gift of Renewal: Exploring Sabbaticals with Rev. Tim Fangmeier
45:45
45:45
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45:45In this bonus episode of the Grace Place Podcast, hosts Rev. Tom Eggebrecht and Rev. Dr. Greg Walton sit down with Rev. Tim Fangmeier to discuss sabbaticals. Tim has a rich history in ministry, serving congregations in Florida and North Carolina. He has extensive experience as a mission and ministry facilitator, conflict consultant and sabbatical c…
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Prioritizing Physical, Emotional and Financial Health in Ministry
40:16
40:16
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40:16Steve Gruenwald, Director of Worker Wellness for Concordia Plans, is an experienced advocate for church worker wellness. In Episode 13 of the Grace Place Podcast, he shares his journey from a Lutheran high school teacher to his current role. Join hosts Rev. Tom Eggebrecht and Rev. Dr. Greg Walton as Gruenwald discusses the importance of physical, e…
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Navigating Cultural Shifts and Self-Care: Insights from Dr. Beverly Yahnke
49:48
49:48
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49:48Dr. Beverly Yahnke, a clinical psychologist and Executive Director of Christian Counsel for Doxology, shares her journey in church work in Episode 12 of the Grace Place Podcast. Join podcast hosts Rev. Tom Eggebrecht and Rev. Dr. Greg Walton as Dr. Yahnke provides invaluable insights on the challenges and cultural changes affecting church workers t…
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How Concordia Plans is Supporting LCMS church workers
35:18
35:18
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35:18Episode 11 of the Grace Place Podcast features Jim Sanft, President and CEO of Concordia Plans. Join hosts Rev. Tom Eggebrecht and Rev. Dr. Greg Walton as Jim shares his journey from a mathematics and statistics graduate to leading Concordia Plans, highlighting his commitment to church worker wellness. They speak about the importance of preventativ…
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Meet Rev. Dr. Darrell Zimmerman, a long-time pastor and former Executive Director of Grace Place Wellness, in episode 10 of the Grace Place Podcast. Join Rev. Tom Eggebrecht and Rev. Dr. Greg Walton as they interview Zimmerman, who shares insights from his extensive experience in church ministry and intentional interim work. He emphasizes the impor…
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In Episode 9 of the Grace Place Podcast, learn more about co-host Rev. Dr. Greg Walton’s personal wellness journey. Greg shares insights from his ministry career, including his unexpected path to becoming a pastor, the challenges he faced along the way and the pivotal moments that shaped his understanding of wellness in ministry. Through anecdotes …
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Gain valuable insights into financial wellness for church workers in Episode 8 of the Grace Place Podcast, as Rev. Tom Eggebrecht and Rev. Dr. Greg Walton explore the significance of sound financial planning, budgeting, and retirement within ministry. The episode delves into the emotional aspects of finances, common pitfalls, and challenges, offeri…
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We all know the importance of physical activity for our health, but have you ever thought about caring for your physical body as a temple of the Holy Spirit? In this episode of the Grace Place Podcast, hosts Rev. Tom Eggebrecht and Rev. Dr. Greg Walton dive into the significance of this concept and provide valuable insights into maintaining physica…
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Vocational Wellness—Understanding You are More than What You Do
21:16
21:16
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21:16Navigating the challenges of burnout and over-functioning is a shared journey among church workers. In this episode of the Grace Place Podcast, Rev. Tom Eggebrecht and Rev. Dr. Greg Walton delve into the important topic of vocational wellness. Learn valuable insights on preventing burnout, mastering over-functioning and striking a healthy balance b…
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Emotional Wellness—Making Sure Conflict Doesn’t Destroy Your Life or Ministry!
28:46
28:46
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28:46Do you know the importance of EQ (emotional intelligence)? In this episode of the Grace Place Podcast, Rev. Tom Eggebrecht and Rev. Dr. Greg Walton explore emotional wellness for church workers. Learn how to navigate conflicts, foster forgiveness and embrace emotional intelligence. Don't miss the valuable insights that can transform your minist…
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Intellectual Wellness – Learning How To Live With Others
29:01
29:01
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29:01Fostering a healthy curiosity can enhance your life and ministry. Tune in to this episode for insightful discussions with hosts Rev. Tom Eggebrecht and Rev. Dr. Greg Walton about communication, active listening and the role of continuing education. Don't miss the wellness tip at the end! Grace Place Wellness Lutheran Church Extension Fund…
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Trust is the key to building relationships that enhance and support individual and corporate ministry. In this episode of the Grace Place Podcast, hosts Rev. Tom Eggebrecht and Rev. Dr. Greg Walton discuss relational wellness. They show the importance of prioritizing healthy relationships at home, in our congregations and in the community. Grace Pl…
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Are you an LCMS church worker? Get equipped with the tools to thrive in your ministry while finding balance and fulfillment in all aspects of life. In this episode of the Grace Place Podcast, hosts Rev. Tom Eggebrecht and Rev. Dr. Greg Walton discuss church worker wellness in general and “The Lutheran Wellness Wheel” specifically. They discuss how …
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We know the importance of baptismal and spiritual wellness – even and especially for church workers. In this episode of the Grace Place Podcast, hosts Rev. Tom Eggebrecht and Rev. Dr. Greg Walton discuss prioritizing personal devotional time in God’s Word as well as practical ways for doing so. Grace Place Wellness Lutheran Church Extension Fund…
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