Pastor and author Karl Vaters is a key voice for today’s spiritual leaders. In a culture highlighting big churches and impressive stats, many ministers feel like failures. But what about tiny churches in small towns? What about the average size church which chooses to send ministers out instead of holding more people inside and hiring a huge staff? Too many great pastors are leaving ministry because of the pressure toward cultural success. Pastor Vaters brings deep knowledge from years of studying and pastoring. He learned how to define success in ministry without numbers attached to it. Through Karl’s speaking and writing, he offers better views toward church health. Defining church success with numbers is relatively new in church history. American church development has historically moved from stages of revival to management to activism. During the present activism season, Karl states the things which matter most. His book—De-sizing the Church: How Church Growth Became a Science, Then an Obsession, and What's Next—provides a healthy perspective for why the church is truly created. His conversation with Chris and Tracy is just what is needed during these days.

https://karlvaters.com/

This episode of Next Step Leadership offers the second part of the conversation Tracy and Chris had with Pastor Justin Blankenship. As Senior Pastor of Landmark Church in Purcell, OK, Justin discusses how he serves in ministry during these difficult days. Many pastors are leaving their profession. Some are even questioning or departing the faith. Followers of Christ are choosing to abandon church. Stories like Justin’s are just the type of optimism, honesty, and hopeful narratives today’s audiences need to hear. Pastor Justin knows the hurts and wounds of church and ministry. But he serves with the heart of Jesus. Hear that heart through his words. Decide how you can also serve like Jesus in these days of division.

https://www.facebook.com/p/Justin-Blankenship-100095258405089/
https://landmarkchurchok.com/our-team-v2/

Pastor Justin Blankenship is an ideal guest for Chris and Tracy’s Next Step Leadership podcast. Justin serves as Senior Pastor of Landmark Church in Purcell, Oklahoma. He also is a preacher’s son. He knows all the stories of churches and movements and trends and pastors’ families. He also knows about letting family be a priority, keeping goals in place, and truly caring for others. Through his deep love for God and people, Justin sets a wonderful example for the type of clergy desperately needed in today’s society. Listen to the conversation. Hear Justin’s heart. Learn from his gentle wisdom. Think of what you can gain and apply from his story.

https://www.facebook.com/p/Justin-Blankenship-100095258405089/
https://landmarkchurchok.com/our-team-v2/

Tracy Reynolds and Chris Maxwell invite you to “listen in” to this episode of their conversation with author, teacher, minister, and leader Dr. Michelle Anthony. As she started last week, Michelle continues offering wisdom for reaching and discipling families in this confused, sad, unsure culture. Pay close attention as she brings great insight for practical and doable solutions. Pick up and read copies of her books Spiritual Parenting: An Awakening for Today's Families and 7 Family Ministry Essentials: A Strategy for Culture Change in Children's and Student Ministries. Learn as a leader, as a parent, as a servant, as a follower of Jesus. What has God called you to do? How can you influence the world in a positive way? In what ways can her steps guide your journey of next step leadership?

https://michelleanthony.org/about/

Dr. Michelle Anthony, the Executive Pastor of Families at New Life Church and Dean of Familymin Academy, is this week’s guest in Next Step Leadership. Michelle is an author, speaker, mentor, and humble leader who is making a positive difference in today’s society. Familymin Academy is a community of people who are passionate about ministry to the diverse needs of today’s families. She’s the author of books for families, including Spiritual Parenting: An Awakening for Today's Families and 7 Family Ministry Essentials: A Strategy for Culture Change in Children's and Student Ministries. In this episode, Michelle tells her story about how God met her and guided her to where she is today. Tracy and Chris encourage you to listen to her comments and think about your own story. How is God meeting you where you are and preparing you for the future? Who is helping lead you in that direction? Who are you leading as you follow Jesus?

https://michelleanthony.org/about/

In this episode of Next Step Leadership Podcast, Tracy Reynolds and Chris Maxwell continue their conversation with Pastor Lee Mason. In 2007, Lee and his wife Lisa began Classic City Church, a non-denominational church serving the city of Athens, GA. Lee talks about his book, Ten Historical Facts About Jesus: What Historians Are Certain of Concerning History’s Most Compelling Figure. His ten points are valuable for today’s leaders to know:

• Jesus was a real historic figure.
• Jesus was known as a miracle worker in a manner unique to anyone else.
• Jesus was crucified in Jerusalem.
• Jesus was buried in the tomb of Joseph in Arimathea.
• Jesus’ tomb was found empty by a group of women.
• Numerous people claimed to have seen Jesus alive after His death.
• Jewish monotheists began to worship Jesus as God.
• A resounding Messianic movement emerged after Jesus’ death.
• Gentiles renounced their pagan ancestry to worship Jesus.
• Today Jesus is the most significant figure in history.

Learn from these lessons. Understand the importance of Christ’s death and resurrection, and why we believe what we claim to believe. The historical figure of Jesus can lead through us as we make the next steps as His followers.

https://www.classiccity.org/staff

Through the history of Next Step Leadership podcast, Tracy and Chris have enjoyed their conversations with a variety of guests. This week’s episode is another exciting chat. Pastor Lee Mason, Senior Pastor of Classic City Church in Athens, GA, tells his story of what brought him to his beliefs and his ministry. The narrative reminds audiences the various ways God guides us through life’s journeys. Lee learned much through each season of life, spiritual development, and church roles. He offers great insight on ministry and the proof of biblical beliefs. Listen to his story. Learn from his wisdom.

https://www.classiccity.org/staff/lee-mason

Chris Maxwell’s 12th book comes out October 1st. Each of the twelve chapters in the book, “Things We’ve Handed Down: Twelve Letters I Leave for You,” is written as a letter to a reader. The chapter titles are all book titles from books which have impacted Chris’ life. He hopes to hand down to the next generation key life principles that he learned from the books. “Disappointment with God” by former Next Step guest Philip Yancey, “Wounds Are Where Light Enters” by Walter Wangerin Jr., “The Wounded Healer” by Henri J.M. Nouwen, “Life is Mostly Edges” by Calvin Miller, “Surprised by Joy” by C. S. Lewis, and “A Long Obedience in the Same Direction” by Eugene Peterson are just some of the chapters in this book.

As a leader and a learner, what books have impacted your life? What lessons have you learned that you can “hand down” to others? How have disappointments and wounds brought you closer to God instead of farther from Him? How can we lead better by displaying love, acceptance, and forgiveness? Listen to the conversation. Pick up a copy of “Things We’ve Handed Down” and read it. Get copies for those you lead. Be sure you receive what’s handed down to you and that you hand down God’s love to others.

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http://bit.ly/cmaxman

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chrismaxwell.me

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facebook.com/PauseWithChrisMaxwell

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@CMaxMan

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