Next Step Leadership

Merry Christmas and welcome to this episode of Next Step Leadership. Tracy and Chris hope you will have a joyful Christmas season. To help with that, they are excited to interview their friend Michael Stewart. Dr. Stewart is a pastor and author, and previously worked with Tracy and Chris at Emmanuel College when he served as President. He wrote the devotional book Journey to Christmas which guides readers through the advent adventure. Instead of Christmas being a destination, Mike invites listeners to see the season as a journey. The whole biblical story of Christmas is a journey. Shouldn’t it be that for us? A ancient but new story. Listen to Mike’s words. Read the Journey to Christmas. Choose to remember the meaning of those ancient stories and receive again the love of Jesus.
https://mikestewart.org/
https://www.truepotentialmedia.com/product/journey-to-christmas/

Chris and Tracy continue their conversation with Cheryl Bridges Johns. Cheryl is an author, professor, and minister. Her words are crucial for today’s leaders. She sees what many fail to notice. She states what is often kept silent. Cheryl believes the need for discipleship can only be met through scriptural study. Her writing brings a method of study often neglected. She guides listeners through the healthy learning process. That reasoning is vital for our modern spiritual family. Hear her thoughts. Receive her wisdom. Discover what the Bible is really saying. Embrace the Word and the Spirit. Welcome the opportunity to change our world through each step you are taking. Know God is with you. 

Cheryl's Website:
https://cherylbjohns.com/

December is an important month to remember Jesus and His love for all people. In this week’s conversation, Tracy Reynolds and Chris Maxwell listen to Cheryl Bridges Johns—someone who displays deep care for people. Her years of serving in the academic and church world offer much wisdom in applying what we say we believe. God often gets in the way to guide us in seasons of uncertainty. He wants us to work out our kingdom calling, rather than being controlled by worldly models of success. Cheryl’s words bring better sight for the work of the Kingdom as the Holy Spirit rescripts our stories. 

Cheryl's Website:
https://cherylbjohns.com/

In this week’s Next Step Leadership podcast, Chris and Tracy invite listeners to join them as they continue learning from Warren Maye. To lead, we must learn. To learn, we must listen. Warren, an author and editor who serves with The Salvation Army, is a leader to learn from. He has found hope and opportunities through difficulties. He truly lives and leads a “with Jesus” life—praying early each morning and seeking to lead others to live with Jesus whatever they might be facing. He begins and ends his days in prayer. Warren provides biblical, practical, and vital insight to live the “ministry of presence” as he looks back at the past and glances ahead into the future. Don’t take anything for granted. Nothing the Lord has put in your hand is useless. Ask yourself, “What’s in my hand?”

Linked In:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/warren-maye-b-f-a-m-a-25a4a111/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/warrenmaye

Books on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Books-Warren-L-Maye/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3AWarren+L+Maye

For the Thanksgiving Day episode of Next Step Leadership, Tracy Reynolds and Chris Maxwell interview Warren Maye. Warren is an author and editor who serves with The Salvation Army. He tells his story, revealing how God has worked through good and difficult times to guide him where he is now. Like many people, Warren remembers painful chapters in his life. But he has found hope amid the conflict, freedom and unity through the division, and love despite the hate. As Warren guides you through his narrative, remember your years of learning and developing. What hurts from the past do you still feel? What hopes have you found through the scars? How can you serve others like Warren and like Jesus?

Linked In:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/warren-maye-b-f-a-m-a-25a4a111/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/warrenmaye

Books on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Books-Warren-L-Maye/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3AWarren+L+Maye

Chris and Tracy continue their conversation with Derek Senestraro. Derek’s wise perspective and caring heart come out in this conversation. Take time today to learn from his story—and tell your friends to listen to this conversation. Maybe listen together with a friend. Why? Because, as Derek reminds us, technology is important but it is not enough. Relationships are very important in our modern world where we are bombarded with technology. How important are online services? How crucial is the best available technology and equipment? What should be our true motives in worship? Is multi-track crucial? What about your church, your team, your life—what is really important? Does our live worship need to sound just like the album? Do we have to do just what others are doing? Again, listen and process Derek’s questions and ideas.

Derek's YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/user/dereksenestraro
Podcast-The Why of Worship - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-why-of-worship/id1472665384
Derek @ Sweetwater Music - https://www.sweetwater.com/derek_senestraro

Welcome to a new episode of Next Step Leadership. Derek Senestraro is this week’s guest. Derek has a wonderful history in music, worship, and technology, presently working with Sweetwater Music. Tracy and Chris love hearing Derek’s desire to help today’s leaders find the best way to reach their potential with the needed equipment but also by maintaining the ideal attitude. Derek’s personal story emphasizes the importance of healthy relationships. Not all decisions are easy. Doors open in unexpected ways. How can we be ready to serve and lead? When is it time to move on? How do we respond to church situations which cause hurt? Listen to Derek’s story and learn about clients, customers, and healthy relationships in today’s world of technology.
Derek's YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/user/dereksenestraro
Podcast-The Why of Worship - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-why-of-worship/id1472665384
Derek @ Sweetwater Music - https://www.sweetwater.com/derek_senestraro

Tracy Reynolds and Chris Maxwell continue their conversation with Phil Cooke. Phil serves in a variety of leadership roles—filmmaker, media consultant, writer, and speaker. In this podcast, Phil brings more ways leaders can think creatively and practically. What is really needed? What can each of us do to be more effective? What is holding us back? How can leaders live while facing deadlines? Sundays come. Sermons need to be prepared. Meetings are called. A plan must be in place. Phil’s creative production company guides leaders through the process of facing deadlines, being fresh, and offering great ideas. We can all be creative—no matter our age or talent—if we choose to use that muscle.
https://www.philcooke.com
https://www.philcooke.com/podcast/
https://cookemediagroup.com

In this episode of Next Step Leadership, Chris and Tracy enjoy an amazing conversation with filmmaker, media consultant, writer, and speaker Phil Cooke. Phil offers wisdom on leading creative people. Today’s leaders need to apply modern methods of learning, marketing, ministering, and mentoring. Through Phil’s wisdom and experience, he gives great insight on what works best in our busy society. How can we engage in this modern culture? How can we welcome people instead of driving them away? Media is a key part of how we lead. Phil’s production and consulting helps churches and ministries use media more effectively. Listen and learn, seeking to discern what works best for you and your team. 
https://www.philcooke.com
https://www.philcooke.com/podcast/
https://cookemediagroup.com

Chris Maxwell and Tracy Reynolds continue their conversation with Linda Gunter, of the ministry “Love Him Love Them.” As Chris and Tracy invite their audience to take the right steps of life—they hope we all hear the cries of the hurting, the forgotten, the neglected. Linda and her choir travel to sing and pray for their audiences. Her books offer stories of God doing what seems impossible. “Love Him Love Them” now have vocational schools, churches, orphanages, transition homes, and a hospital to train and help leaders change the world. Her book “Choir of Angels” tells stories of miracles God has done. Her obedience and faith can remind today’s leaders to believe what seems impossible will become realities. Miracles are on the way. Will we obey and do our part?
https://www.lovehimlovethem.org