Podcast
Next Step Leadership
Hosted by Chris Maxwell & Tracy Reynolds · EN
Next Step Leadership is a podcast dedicated to helping you make your next step your best step. Your next step could very well determine the trajectory or direction of your life. Where we step, how we step, and when we step are all vital considerations for your next step. Chris Maxwell and Tracy Reynolds combine decades of experience in ministry, higher education, writing, music, leading organizations, and developing teams to inspire you to aspire in life one step at a time. We desire to assist you in making your next step your very best step.
42episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Interview with Douglas Clay, Part 2 - Season 6, Episode 24
6d ago00:25:06Tap to summarizeContinuing their conversation, Chris Maxwell and Tracy Reynolds talk with the General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God, Doug Clay, about the realities facing pastors and churches today. Doug discusses key concerns for ministry leaders, cultural shifts affecting the church, and the pressures many pastors experience in today’s environment. At the same time, he shares hopeful trends and signs of renewal that encourage him about the future of the church. Doug concludes with words of wisdom from his books and encourages ministers who are seeking to lead faithfully in a rapidly changing world.https://ag.org/About/Leadership-Team/General-SuperintendentFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/DougClayAG/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dougclayag/Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-clay-89aa3b58/X (Twitter) - https://x.com/dougclayAmazon Author's page - https://www.amazon.com/stores/Doug-Clay/author/B0F3Z6Y66L?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=c4578a0e-38e4-4f81-9f22-3e0508757317
Transcribe →Interview with Doug Clay, Part 1 - Season 6, Episode 23
2w ago00:22:40Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Chris Maxwell and Tracy Reynolds welcome Doug Clay, General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God. Doug shares his personal story of faith and calling, reflecting on the experiences that shaped his journey in ministry and leadership. From early ministry opportunities to serving in one of the most influential leadership roles in the Assemblies of God, Doug discusses the lessons God has taught him along the way. His reflections offer encouragement and wisdom for leaders seeking to serve with humility, integrity, and faithfulness.https://ag.org/About/Leadership-Team/General-SuperintendentFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/DougClayAG/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dougclayag/Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-clay-89aa3b58/X (Twitter) - https://x.com/dougclayAmazon Author's page - https://www.amazon.com/stores/Doug-Clay/author/B0F3Z6Y66L?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=c4578a0e-38e4-4f81-9f22-3e0508757317
Transcribe →Interview with Clay Dial, Part 2 - Season 6, Episode 22
3w ago00:26:06Tap to summarizeContinuing the conversation, Chris Maxwell and Tracy Reynolds talk with Clay Dial about the realities of life in ministry today. Clay shares honestly about the joys that energize him as a pastor and the challenges that come with serving in the church. The discussion explores trends in the church that concern him, developments that give him hope, and the lessons he has learned early in his ministry journey. Clay concludes by offering encouragement and practical advice to young leaders who are stepping into ministry and seeking to serve faithfully.https://www.cstone.church/leadership/The Saltbox podcast - https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/saltbox-a-cstone-church-podcast--5016338
Transcribe →Interview with Clay Dial, Part 1 - Season 6, Episode 21
4w ago00:23:24Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Next Step Leadership Podcast, Chris Maxwell and Tracy Reynolds welcome Pastor Clay Dial for a conversation about calling, faith, and the journey of a young minister. Clay shares his personal story of coming to love Jesus and sensing God’s call on his life. He reflects on the experiences that shaped his faith, including his time at Emmanuel University, and how those years helped prepare him for ministry. This conversation offers insight into the formation of a new generation of leaders and the passion that continues to guide Clay’s work today.https://www.cstone.church/leadership/The Saltbox podcast - https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/saltbox-a-cstone-church-podcast--5016338
Transcribe →Interview with Peter Greer, Part 2 - Season 6, Episode 20
Jul 1600:23:03Tap to summarizeContinuing the conversation, Chris Maxwell and Tracy Reynolds talk with Peter Greer about long-term leadership health, accountability, and resilience. This episode focuses on his book How Leaders Lose Their Way: And How to Make Sure It Doesn’t Happen to You. Greer provides practical ways leaders can remain grounded amid pressure, success, and responsibility. Learn from conversations about pastoral and leadership pressure, and how no one expected to make the poor choices they made. Peter offers wisdom on shared leadership, spiritual and emotional safeguards, and the habits that help leaders stay faithful over the long haul. Listeners will be encouraged to lead with humility, integrity, and a renewed commitment to sustainable, Christ-centered leadership.https://www.peterkgreer.com/https://www.peterkgreer.com/books/https://www.hopeinternational.org/
Transcribe →Interview with Peter Greer, Part 1 - Season 6, Episode 19
Jul 900:22:57Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Chris Maxwell and Tracy Reynolds welcome global leader and author Peter Greer for an honest discussion about leadership calling, drift, and integrity. Drawing from How Leaders Lose Their Way: And How to Make Sure It Doesn’t Happen to You, Peter shares insights from his leadership journey and research into the subtle patterns that often lead leaders off course. Leadership can be a dangerous place to live. We can learn from the failures of others. The conversation explores warning signs of drift, the dangers of isolation, and the importance of accountability in sustaining faithful leadership over time. Peter encourages us to not just know what others have done wrong, but to humbly make sure it doesn't happen to us. https://www.peterkgreer.com/https://www.peterkgreer.com/books/https://www.hopeinternational.org/
Transcribe →Interview with JR Briggs, Part 2 - Season 6, Episode 18
Jul 200:25:49Tap to summarizeWe often forget that questions can shape culture, faith, and community. In this follow-up conversation, Chris Maxwell and Tracy Reynolds continue their dialogue with J.R. Briggs, focusing on how better questions shape organizational culture, spiritual formation, and community life. J.R. reflects on how curiosity builds trust, prevents isolation, and creates environments where people feel heard and valued. The episode offers practical wisdom for leaders seeking to cultivate thoughtful teams, healthier conversations, and deeper faith through intentional questioning rather than quick conclusions. The Art of Asking Better Questions: Pursuing Stronger Relationships, Healthier Leadership, and Deeper Faith is a book needed in today's culture. Kairos Partnerships - https://www.kairospartnerships.org/aboutResilient Leaders Podcast - https://www.kairospartnerships.org/podcastshttps://www.amazon.com/stores/J.-R.-Briggs/author/B001K8DD78?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=7dc495b0-1344-467d-aa98-1d5dc5aeae18
Transcribe →Interview with JR Briggs, Part 1 - Season 6, Episode 17
Jun 2500:23:33Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Chris Maxwell and Tracy Reynolds welcome pastor and author J.R. Briggs for a rich conversation about curiosity, calling, and the transformative role of questions in leadership and faith. Drawing from The Art of Asking Better Questions: Pursuing Stronger Relationships, Healthier Leadership, and Deeper Faith, J.R. shares his personal journey and the experiences that shaped his pastoral heart and leadership philosophy. The discussion highlights why leaders often default to answers instead of questions and how curiosity can strengthen relationships, deepen faith, and foster healthier leadership cultures. Welcome curiosity. And be ready for interesting, inspiring, and challenging questions--too often forgotten in this world of brief, shallow chats. Kairos Partnerships - https://www.kairospartnerships.org/aboutResilient Leaders Podcast - https://www.kairospartnerships.org/podcastshttps://www.amazon.com/stores/J.-R.-Briggs/author/B001K8DD78?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=7dc495b0-1344-467d-aa98-1d5dc5aeae18
Transcribe →Interview with E.K. Strawser, Part 2 - Season 6, Episode 16
Jun 1800:23:29Tap to summarizeThe conversation with Eun Strawser continues with a practical and biblical exploration of shared leadership. Together, Chris, Tracy, and Eun discuss the dangers of leading alone, the temptation to control, and the misconception that leaders must be experts. Eun challenges listeners to ask whether they are willing to share power and truly lead with people rather than over them. Emphasizing that leadership is meant to be done together—as imitators of Jesus—this episode offers wisdom for pastors, church planters, and teams seeking healthier, more faithful ways to flourish with the people God has already given them.https://www.iwacollaborative.com/ekstrawserhttps://www.iwacollaborative.com/books
Transcribe →Interview with E.K Strawser, Part 1 - Season 6, Episode 15
Jun 1100:22:51Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Chris and Tracy welcome E. K. Strawser—pastor, physician, consultant, church planter, and author of You Were Never Meant to Lead Alone. Originally from South Korea, E. K. shares her journey through medical school, ministry, and church planting, reflecting on how her story and place have shaped her leadership. She challenges common assumptions about power, influence, and success, asking hard questions like: Are we drawing crowds or making disciples? Does the church exist just to survive? Grounded in Scripture, particularly Acts and the Epistles, E. K. calls leaders to embrace shared leadership and faithful community.https://www.iwacollaborative.com/ekstrawserhttps://www.iwacollaborative.com/books
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