This episode of Next Step Leadership is the second conversation Tracy and Chris have with Pastor Bert Synan. Bert’s honesty is so fitting for the overall message of this podcast’s theme. Our next steps won’t always be the best steps unless we know what our Creator is calling us to do and the true reason we are to do that. How has Bert developed relationships in his community? How is he telling Bible stories to those who not know the stories—even in a small town of the Bible-belt? Why do many church leaders limit their ministry to Sunday services or church events? How has officiating football games helped Bert show God’s love? In a post-Christian culture, how can serving bi-vocationally be a huge advantage? Find something else to do unrelated to a church function. Study your culture. Learn a new appreciation for why you really do what you do.

https://www.sandycrosschurch.org/staff

Tracy Reynolds and Chris Maxwell hope to provide you a variety of voices and perspectives on the Next Step Leadership podcast. In this episode, they are honored to let you listen to their conversation with Pastor Bert Synan. Bert has many stories to tell—stories each leader can learn from. His early years of growing up in church, experiencing Jesus himself, learning Scripture, and developing healthy relationships. Decades of pastoring. Offering pastoral care in a community. Adjusting to changes. Serving as a bi-vocational pastor. Building relationships through his other jobs. Moving from superficial performance toward a long obedience. Investing his life in true care for others. How has driving a school bus helped Bert reach people? How has Bert endured his wife’s suicide? What lessons can others learn from Bert and his story?

https://www.sandycrosschurch.org/staff

In their second Next Step Leadership conversation with Greg Hearn, Chris and Tracy appreciate his desire to make a positive difference in today’s difficult culture. Greg’s talents in finances, organization, and leadership have served in ministry areas too often forgotten. As president of Emmanuel University, Greg believes in the institution’s true values. Offering a biblical worldview in this season so distant from that agenda, President Hearn believes we can start where someone is and then take them farther along. He wants to emphasize Christianity is not a list of rules, but a relationship that lasts eternity. Like Greg’s story, your story is unique and important. Greg doesn’t like the spotlight. He’s enjoyed serving behind the scenes. But this is where God has now placed him. He serves in leadership as having people around who are better at doing what they do. A leader is no more important than others who serve. Learn from Greg. Let his perspective become yours.

https://eu.edu/senior-leadership-team/

Greg Hearn now serves as President at Emmanuel University. Like many of today’s leaders and their present positions, Greg did not expect to be in this role. But God places His servants where they need to be. Tracy and Chris enjoyed hearing Greg’s story about life, family, growing up as a minister’s kid, education, and where God has now assigned him. In the last two episodes, Landon Rowell reminded us the importance of serving while learning where we can serve best. In Greg Hearn’s two episodes, listeners can learn how God moves people to key leadership positions when they’re not seeking it. Greg agreed to say yes to what was best. He helps guide those he leads as how to be faithful in what God has called them to do. Greg has learned that much of his culture’s upbringing missed the biblical beauty of true relationships with Jesus. Greg wants to live that now, and help people understand the wide variety of opportunities for those wanting to make a difference.

https://eu.edu/senior-leadership-team/

In this episode of Next Step Leadership Podcast, Chris and Tracy continue their conversation with Landon Rowell. Landon’s story fits many young leaders. Called to ministry in some way, but not totally sure of what that really means. Sensing a deep desire to make a difference in God’s kingdom, Landon took the right classes and began working in new areas. He has continued learning and adjusting. He has kept a kind and serving heart. He works hard, finishes tasks, and maintains a healthy attitude as he serves. Days don’t need to be wasted. Study. Learn. Listen. Laugh. Experiment. Work hard. Stay humble. Ministry has many ways of serving. Use your gifts and areas of interest. God can guide you right where you are needed.

The Empty Chair Video: https://youtu.be/QfSpT-vcQdo?si=1_ymVUsrHdYzyVw7

https://jaggedrockmedia.com/about/

Landon Rowell wasn’t on the original schedule to be interviewed by Chris and Tracy. Landon was serving and helping. He was setting everything up for the podcast. What Landon didn’t know was that his story needed to be heard. So instead of just letting him stay “behind the scenes,” Chris and Tracy wanted his story heard. They believe the younger generation of leaders brings a variety of perspectives and talents. They remember Landon’s days as a college student when he was learning not just academic information, but learning about himself. Listen to his story. Learn about yourself. Think about how you are also still learning where you fit, what you’re good at doing, what you’re grieving, and what you can do to shape the future. Not all routes are straight and simple. Sharp turns and new streets are a part of life. Continue serving and helping. Even when you’re not on the screen’s agenda, do your part. During times of hurt and uncertainty, do your part.

The Empty Chair Video: https://youtu.be/QfSpT-vcQdo?si=1_ymVUsrHdYzyVw7

https://jaggedrockmedia.com/about/

In this episode of Next Step Leadership, Tracy and Chris continue their conversation with Charles Powell. It’s a deep story about life—about a life of wounds and braces and pain. Today’s leaders can only lead correctly when first applying the importance of self-care and deep healing. Dangerous Skills: A Memoir of the Me You Never Knew is the new book Charles has written. On its pages, he reveals years of questions, of conflict, of near death experiences, of tension, and of the search to know God’s plan. Charles could have given up. But he did not. He has endured. And now he invests his energy in helping other people be rescued and find ways to develop their own skills. How can you apply the hopes Charles mentions about finding ways to help people come, learn, grow, and go? How can you have the right friends beside you who will guide you? Who is beside you? How can they have a crucial vote in your life? Your memoir is still being written.

https://jaggedrockmedia.com/about/

Dangerous Skills Podcast - https://jaggedrockmedia.podbean.com

Not In My Town book - https://www.amazon.com/Not-My-Town-Trafficking-Modern-Day/dp/1596693010

Charles Powell of LifeSprings and Jagged Rock Media is today’s guest in Next Step Leadership. Chris Maxwell and Tracy Reynolds have known Charles many years and wanted their podcast’s audience to hear his story. Through his work in security, rescuing people from human trafficking, studio production, and writing, Charles helps leaders become better aware of their personal formation. As you listen to his story, hear what Charles said about his upcoming book which reveals deep hurt from his past. The braces may have been removed from his legs, but not from his heart. How do your past wounds influence you? How do those scars impact your behavior, your thoughts, and your relationships? Write down what you learned from the story Charles tells. Include steps you should take to move toward healing. The braces on our legs from the past can still impact how we take steps in life. Instead of covering up our deep wounds, we can identify our masks, know God deeply, and find true healing.

https://jaggedrockmedia.com/about/

Dangerous Skills Podcast - https://jaggedrockmedia.podbean.com

Not In My Town book - https://www.amazon.com/Not-My-Town-Trafficking-Modern-Day/dp/1596693010