Secrets to a Successful Ministry Transition | Steve Woodworth, CEO Masterworks
Release Date: 09/02/2025
Secrets to a Successful Ministry Transition | Steve Woodworth, CEO Masterworks
Phil Cooke Podcast
Transitions in ministry leadership can make or break an organization. Join Phil Cooke in a conversation with Steve Woodworth, CEO of Masterworks as they unpack the secrets to a successful ministry succession and how leaders can pass the baton with wisdom and humility. Whether you are a pastor, board member, ministry founder, or nonprofit CEO, these insights will help you navigate leadership change with confidence. Get my FREE DOWNLOAD and transform your creative leadership skills when you sign up for my newsletter here: 👉 New Masterclasses Church on Trial—Crisis Management with Phil...
info_outline
Faith & Business: Insights for Christian Marketplace Leaders with Leray Heyne
Phil Cooke Podcast
Join Phil Cooke as he interviews Leray Heyne, a visionary CEO and founder of Jesus Christ’s CEOs, transforming the Christian Business landscape. This powerful conversation explores how Christian Entrepreneurs and business leaders can thrive in today’s marketplace, influence culture, and lead with Kingdom values. Learn how to integrate faith and leadership, discover opportunities in the influencer marketplace, and turn your business into a true Kingdom business that impacts lives. Whether you’re an established CEO or just starting your entrepreneurial journey, this episode is...
info_outline
Supercharge Your Bible Study: Understand Scripture in Its Cultural Context
Phil Cooke Podcast
Do you struggle with understanding the Bible? I’ve found that only when you start to understand the cultural context, will you start to understand scripture. In this video, as a producer and media executive with a PhD in Theology, I share the single greatest way I’ve found to study the Bible using a chronological Bible. Find out my recommendations that will revolutionize your Bible study and elevate your understanding of God’s plan for your life and career. 👉 Listen now and transform your creative career! Get my FREE DOWNLOAD and transform your creative leadership skills when...
info_outline
Inside The Sphere Las Vegas | Exclusive Interview with Producer Ralph Winter
Phil Cooke Podcast
Go behind the scenes of The Sphere in Las Vegas as Phil Cooke interviews Head of Physical Production, Ralph Winter. Proven to be one of Hollywood’s most profitable assets with blockbusters including X-MEN, PLANET OF THE APES, and WOLVERINE, Ralph takes us inside the production process of The Sphere’s cinematic experience, including award-winning director Darren Aronofsky’s “Postcard from Earth” produced for the Las Vegas venue. Includes inside information on filming with the Big Sky Camera featuring a 165-degree wide field of view, produced for the world’s largest high-definition...
info_outline
How to Get Fired FAST: What NOT to Do at Work
Phil Cooke Podcast
What’s the fastest way to get fired from your job? In this episode, Phil Cooke exposes unethical behaviors that can abruptly end your career. From minor breaches of trust to major confidentiality breaches, Phil offers a reality check for the digital world we live in. Based on his book, “Church on Trial: How to Protect Your Congregation, Mission and Reputation During a Crisis,” whether you are in ministry, a nonprofit organization or in the corporate world, the same rules apply: The quickest way to get fired from your job is to violate trust through dishonesty or unethical behavior....
info_outline
How to Start Conversations about Jesus – Interview with Evangelist J.John
Phil Cooke Podcast
If you’ve ever felt awkward sharing the gospel, join media executive Phil Cooke in this insightful and entertaining conversation with J.John, internationally known evangelist, speaker, and author, as they explore how to effectively share the Gospel and make disciples in a modern, digital world. In this interview, you'll gain actionable advice on: · How to share the Gospel without feeling awkward · Why many churches avoid evangelism—and how to change that · How to be ...
info_outline
How to Maximize a Brainstorming Session | Interview with Executive Pastor Ben Stapley
Phil Cooke Podcast
How do you lead a creative brainstorming session that produces results? Join Phil Cooke in this Part 2 interview with Executive Pastor Ben Stapley as we discuss how to implement and maximize a brainstorming session in a church or ministry setting. Plus, find out the difference between a church communications director and media director and who your first three hires should be as your church grows. Includes creative leadership tips on team building! Get my FREE DOWNLOAD and transform your creative leadership skills when you sign up for my newsletter here: Get the book! “Ideas on a...
info_outline
How PTZ Cameras Are Transforming Worship Services | Bryan Bailey, Director of Media, Prestonwood
Phil Cooke Podcast
Are you considering PTZ cameras for your church worship service? Join Phil Cooke and Bryan Bailey, Director of Media at Prestonwood Baptist Church, to explore how one of the nation’s leading churches is leveraging PTZ robotic cameras to transform church worship experiences. Whether you're a church media director, on a media team, or training volunteers, this behind-the-scenes conversation is packed with practical and spiritual insights to help you: · Integrate PTZ camera technology for smooth, multi-angle worship production ...
info_outline
Living the Dream – Faith-Based Documentary Filmmaking with Ryan Grow | Lifeway Films
Phil Cooke Podcast
Are you passionate about Christian storytelling and dreaming of a career in faith-based filmmaking? Join media executive Phil Cooke and Ryan Grow, Executive Producer and Head of Lifeway Films, for a powerful and practical conversation that dives deep into the world of Christian movies and documentary filmmaking. From pitching your first project to navigating story structure and the unique challenges of faith-driven media, Ryan shares industry insights, personal stories, and what it truly takes to create films that impact both hearts and culture. Learn how filmmakers can bridge the gap...
info_outline
Creative Ways to Transform Your Church Worship | Interview with Executive Pastor Ben Stapley
Phil Cooke Podcast
Church doesn’t have to be boring! In this interview, Phil Cooke talks with Executive Pastor Ben Stapley of Zarephath Christian Church to uncover creative, practical ways to revitalize your worship experience. Whether you're running a traditional or contemporary church service, these creative strategies will boost engagement, improve sermon retention, and help your congregation connect with God on a deeper level. 👉 Watch now and transform your creative career!Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more tips on creative leadership. Enjoying the content? 🌟 Show...
info_outlineTransitions in ministry leadership can make or break an organization. Join Phil Cooke https://philcooke.com in a conversation with Steve Woodworth, CEO of Masterworks as they unpack the secrets to a successful ministry succession and how leaders can pass the baton with wisdom and humility. Whether you are a pastor, board member, ministry founder, or nonprofit CEO, these insights will help you navigate leadership change with confidence.
Get my FREE DOWNLOAD and transform your creative leadership skills when you sign up for my newsletter here: https://www.philcooke.com/subscribe/
👉 New Masterclasses
Church on Trial—Crisis Management with Phil Cooke https://philcooke.com/masterclass
Ideas on a Deadline Masterclass with Phil Cooke https://philcooke.com/ideasonadeadline
Get Phil’s book: “Church on Trial – How to Protect Your Congregation, Mission, and Reputation During a Crisis” here: https://philcooke.com/crisis
Order bulk copies for your pastor team, staff and board members. Contact us at [email protected] for details on bulk orders.
Subscribe to My YouTube Channel and Expand your Creative Leadership
https://www.youtube.com/c/philcookeofficial?sub_confirmation=1
Subscribe and hit the Notification bell to be notified when they go live.
========================================
Phil Cooke – Media Producer/Writer/Speaker/Coach
Helping Creative Leaders Influence the World
Do you have a message or story the world needs to hear? I offer advice on creative leadership, digital media, branding, marketing, film and television production – and the faith to take you from where you are in your ministry or career to where you want to be.
As a filmmaker, media consultant and co-founder of Cooke Media Group in Los Angeles, my client list includes Hollywood studios, major nonprofit organizations, and many of the most respected churches and ministries in the world. I’ve produced media programming in nearly 70 countries and created many of the most influential inspirational TV programs in history.
My philosophy? Get your ideas out there and change the world in the process.
==========================
Connect with me on social media:
Twitter https://twitter.com/philcooke
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/philcookepage/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/philcooke/
Podcast https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/philcookes-podcast/id1439369056
Find out about Cooke Media Group here: https://www.cookemediagroup.com
===========================
*More About This Episode* Secrets to a Successful Ministry Transition | Steve Woodworth, CEO Masterworks
With over forty years devoted to advancing Christian organizations, Steve Woodworth brings a wealth of expertise in marketing, management, and organizational development. He steered World Vision’s direct marketing and donor services through a decade of annual double-digit growth in the 1980s and 1990s. Since joining Masterworks in 1992, Steve has been instrumental in establishing it as the premier marketing agency dedicated to aiding hundreds of Christian organizations in achieving their mission.
Steve also gives back as a volunteer on boards, as a convener of industry leaders and continues to lead the Communications Working Group for The Lausanne Movement.
👉 Learn more about Steve Woodworth and Masterworks: https://www.masterworks.agency/team/steve-woodworth
👉 Get Steve’s book Lost in Transition: Lessons from the Most Disastrous and Successful Ministry Successions: https://amzn.to/3JC5a4G
Passing the baton in leadership doesn’t have to be filled with drama — it can be a healthy, God-honoring transition.
00:00 – Introduction: Why Ministry Transitions Matter
01:08 – Why Successions Often Go Wrong (and How to Avoid It)
02:50 – 5 Principles for Successful Leadership Transitions
11:25 The Importance of Humility in Leadership Change
14:40 – Common Pitfalls: Gone Too Soon, Stayed Too Long
19:30 The Key to the Best Transitions
21:26 – Debunking the Age Barrier: Why 65 Is Not the Finish Line
25:40 – The Role of Humility in Mentoring Future Leaders for Succession Success
31:29 – Closing Thoughts + Get the Book Lost in Transition
#MinistrySuccession #LeadershipTransition #ChristianLeadership
(As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This helps support my channel and allows us to continue making videos like this. Thank you for the support!)