Next Step Leadership

Tracy and Chris were honored to have a wonderful conversation with pastor and author Terry A. Smith. Terry offers insight for leaders in church, business, and community. Through his years of pastoral leadership, Terry has guided his congregation and his culture to deep care and genuine service. Listen to this episode of Next Step Leadership. Invite your team, your church, and your friends to hear his thoughts and to read Terry’s books. As you hear and read his words, apply what you learn. His heart is genuine. His wisdom is deep. His leadership can guide us all toward making a positive difference in today’s world. His latest book is The Lord Bless You: A 28-Day Journey to Experience God's Extravagant Blessings. 

https://www.terryasmith.com/
Terry's books:
The Lord Bless You - https://www.amazon.com/Lord-Bless-You-Experience-Extravagant/dp/0800762827/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
The Hospitable Leader - https://www.amazon.com/Hospitable-Leader-Create-Environments-Flourish/dp/B07KPPRH8R/ref=sr_1_3?crid=78A3SED3ZM3K&keywords=Terry+A+SMith&qid=1701951609&s=books&sprefix=terry+a+smit%2Cstripbooks%2C250&sr=1-3
Live Ten - https://www.amazon.com/Live-Ten-Jump-Start-Best-Version-ebook/dp/B00C5QA5TI/ref=sr_1_5?crid=78A3SED3ZM3K&keywords=Terry+A+SMith&qid=1701951609&s=books&sprefix=terry+a+smit%2Cstripbooks%2C250&sr=1-5

This episode of Next Step Leadership continues the story of Pastor Brian Burgess. Chris Maxwell and Tracy Reynolds could have chosen to just focus on vision and mission, letting Brian offer his insight. He could have told success stories and offered guidance for today’s leaders. But life isn’t easy. Ministry is hard. Leadership carries deep wounds. Brian tells his story about that weight. How has it affected him? What has he learned? Why has he resigned from pastoring? How can he pursue health? How should other leaders learn from him? Are you tired? Is it okay for a dream to die? Is it time for a sabbatical? Who should you talk to? 

Pastor Brian Burgess brings another timely story to Next Step Leadership. Tracy and Chris invite you to listen to Brian’s story and to learn lessons from his narrative. Brian knows about leading and pastoring. He knows about family and modern trends. He knows about stress and burnout. Brian brings his authentic heart as he talks about how much he has learned through his life—his days of playing music, of falling in love with Jesus, of attending college, of serving in ministry. Let his story speak to you and your team. How can you be a genuine leader like the one who led Brian? How can you encounter Jesus in a real way? How can you take the right steps for your own life of leading and serving? 

This episode of Next Step Leadership continues the conversation with Tracy Reynolds, Chris Maxwell, and their guest Pastor Shell Osbon. He tells more stories from his book “It’s Not Good for Leaders to Lead Alone.” The title of his book is a perfect fit for what Chris and Tracy want each listener to always remember. We need one another. We aren’t to lead in isolation. We must grasp the value of leading together. Pastor Osbon‘s book applies to many settings—churches and businesses and communities. Secondary leaders can learn better principles for serving their primary leaders. Any organization would benefit from this book. Welcome this episode’s words from Pastor Osbon.

https://lifechurchsmyrna.com/ourpastor
Twitter - @shellosbon
Amazon -  https://www.amazon.com/dp/1940197694/ref=cm_sw_r_api_i_9PNMSWVAKDDQZP1STY3T_0

Pastor Shell Osbon is this week’s guest in Next Step Leadership. Chris and Tracy believe all the listeners will love hearing Shell’s story. He is a lead pastor and has recently written a leadership book which is the perfect fit for this podcast’s audience, “It’s Not Good for Leaders to Lead Alone.” As Pastor Osbon tells his story, listen and think about what lessons you can learn in your role. Pastor Osbon’s testimony should encourage each of us. God met him and called him to serve in ministry. Through family and sports and church, he has learned endurance. What about you? What can we do to help others? How can we make a positive difference?

https://lifechurchsmyrna.com/ourpastor
Twitter - @shellosbon
Amazon -  https://www.amazon.com/dp/1940197694/ref=cm_sw_r_api_i_9PNMSWVAKDDQZP1STY3T_0

In this episode, Chris and Tracy continue a great conversation with Dan Reiland. Through his writing and mentoring, Dan brings a variety of practices to guide new and established leaders. Dan offers Scripture and experience, providing wisdom so needed in this season. Prayer is another area Dan discusses. How can today’s leaders pursue the life of a child of God? Relationships must be placed over routine. Spiritual growth comes from time spent with our True Leader. Receive Dan’s dedication and his guidance. Read his books. Lead like Jesus.

https://danreiland.com/
Joshua's Men Resources - FREE!
https://resources.12stone.church/resource/15117

Tracy and Chris are honored to enjoy another interview with a previous guest. Author, leader, minister Dan Reiland is this episode’s guest. Dan writes and speaks with the hope of guiding audiences toward a season of wisdom. How can today’s leaders train followers in a world controlled by hurry? Dan wants leaders to grasp these two important words: slow down. We place too many demands on ourselves and our teams. We should, instead, gain margin and use the margin wisely. Dan’s deep, practical insight is just what is needed for each of us.
https://danreiland.com/
Joshua's Men Resources - FREE!
https://resources.12stone.church/resource/15117

In their second conversation with Margaret Turner, Tracy Reynolds and Chris Maxwell continue smiling as they see where God has guided their dear friend. Margaret is an example of a young leader who has pursued big dreams and not given up. Today’s culture needs leaders who refuse to waver but choose to endure. Margaret talks about adopting an international child, about pursuing cultural change, about finding ways to stand up for those in the sad world of human trafficking, about pursuing a legal position. She believes it is not enough to state an opinion against human trafficking, but the right actions need to be taken. Social justice ministry became her calling. Margaret was willing to obey. What about you? What are you doing for the marginalized, for the hurting, for the weak? How can you speak for them? How can you love them? How can you make a positive difference in our world?
https://www.illuminatejustice.com/

Chris and Tracy have known Margaret Turner for many years. They are honored to talk to her in this episode of Next Step Leadership. They have seen Margaret pursue dreams and work hard to let those dreams come to life. What can you learn from her story? What is keeping you from pursuing your own dreams? Margaret tells her story about the journey toward turning those dreams into realities—her deep educational work, her role as a wife and mom, her speaking engagements, her writing, and her pursuit of becoming a lawyer to help people in need. She has continued working with a serving heart. Let her story challenge you to reflect on your story. Remember what brought you where you now serve. Remember how you can make a difference. Remember that your voice needs to be heard. People are waiting for you. Be willing to chase those dreams and let them become realities.
https://www.illuminatejustice.com/

Chris Maxwell and Tracy Reynolds continue their honest dialogue with Pastor Bronson Crawford. Bronson has learned much through his years of ministry and he shares much of that with us. God is a God of seasons. He sees through a different perspective. What our culture considers failure might be just what God wants for the building of His kingdom. Maybe some leaders in the audience need to decide to meet with mentors who will help them in their life journeys. Maybe some need to go see a professional counselor. As so many of today’s leaders feel overwhelmed and unprepared and unable and incapable, they need help. They need to not face their struggles alone. We might be among them. Who should you seek for help? What fears are holding you back? Do you feel like nothing ever works out for you? Who can help identify your battles and guide your next steps? Do not forget the many blessings all around you. Refuse to be controlled by lies swirling through your mind. Be healthy. Be real. Be the one receiving help.