Developing Kingdom Leaders – Tom Yeakley

Taking the Mystery out of Leadership

24 Aug 2026

You Will be Quoted!

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. James 3:9-12 NIV

Before you assumed the role of leader you freely shared your thoughts and opinions, usually without significant consequences.  But now that you are leading others, your words carry much more weight because the authority of your position stands behind your words.  Now your words really matter to others. 

Someone put it this way.  “As a leader you speak at a volume of ‘2’ but you are heard at a volume of ‘9’!”  Therefore, you must think before you speak!  And choose carefully what you want to have public opinions about.  You will be quoted! 

Because of the gravity with which others hear a leader’s words, you can hurt someone with a flippant remark or bad use of humor.  A leader’s sarcasm can wound others, especially those more sensitive.  They may laugh, but inwardly they are hurting. 

Knowing that your words matter can be used to advantage also.  All team members want to be well thought of by their leader.  Words of affirmation from a leader are also heard loudly and can go a long way in helping individual or team morale.  But if a  leader is always pointing out short-comings or mistakes, team members will be hesitant to take risks or disclose the true nature of a situation for fear of criticism or rebuke.  Never confuse flattery with affirmation.  Flattery is insincere or excessive praise, often used to manipulate others.  “You’re the best!”  “You’re so smart!”  Often these characteristics are things  the person is born with.  But words of affirmation are compliments about something the person developed or did.  “Your wholehearted attitude was exemplary.”  “Your attention to detail really helped us.”  Be sure to affirm, not flatter!

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10 Aug 2026

Come Out With Your Hands Up!

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God–this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2 NIV

Knowing the will of God is easy, but you do one thing first.  There is a prerequisite for knowing the will of God.  You must be willing to do the will of God – to obey Him completely, first. 

Often we want the opposite.  We cry out to God for guidance  and direction, asking Him to show us what to do.  But we want more clarity so we can then decide whether we want to do His will or not.  But God has a different way.

He says that we must first surrender to doing whatever He desires, then He will show us the plans He has for us.  We must be willing to obey Him completely first, then we will know the will of God – His good, pleasing, and perfect will.  We surrender to His plans much like one who surrenders to the sheriff in the Old West who says, “Come out with your hands up!”  We lay down our lives and surrender to His complete authority over us.

The God-honoring life is always a life of faith.  He says, “My righteous ones will live by faith.” (Hebrews 10:38; Habakkuk 2:4)  A life dedicated to God will be one of daily surrender and wholehearted obedience.  We are perfectly designed to fulfill this plan, but we must commit to it first.  (Ephesians 2:10)

We can have great confidence in God’s plans because He always acts according to His character.  He is love and all He does is from this foundation.  He is sovereign over all things in His creation.  He is good and all that He does is good.  This does not mean a God-honoring life will be an easy life.  Jesus says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)  Trust Him with your future! 

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27 Jul 2026
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‘No’ Is Not a Four-Letter Word!

The missionary statesman E. Stanley Jones said, “Your ability to say ‘no’ will determine your ability to say ‘yes’ to greater things.”  Learning to say ‘no’ graciously is a skill to be developed as you mature in understanding your God-given design and your calling.

Nehemiah was persistent in declining many invitations to meeting with his opposition.  They then tried to scare him with threats upon his life.  All received the same answer, ‘no.’  (Nehemiah 6:1-14)  Apollos was strongly urged by Paul to leave Ephesus and go to Corinth.  But he said ‘no’ to Paul’s urging, instead promising to visit at a later date.  (1 Corinthians 16:12).  Paul himself said ‘no’ to an open door of ministry opportunity in Troas because he had a higher priority.  He was looking for Titus to bring him word of how his first letter to Corinth was received.  So he said goodbye to Troas and went to Macedonia.  (2 Corinthians 2:12-13)

Even God the Father said ‘no’ to His Son in the garden.  Three times Jesus asked His Father to change the plan and not go to the cross, but His Father said ‘no.’  (Mark 14).

Discerning between good and bad is easy.  But choosing between what is good, better, or best requires guidance from the Holy Spirit.  He will help you discern what is best.  It may be the right choice, but the wrong timing.  Never choose based upon the ministry audience size or the honorarium amount offered. 

And when you decline an invitation, do so with words of affirmation and gratitude first.  Then say, “I’m sorry I won’t be able to do this for you.  I have other commitments.”  No need to explain what those might be – it could be staying home to rest and spend time with your family which also is a real commitment.

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13 Jul 2026

Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing!

Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” Acts 6:1-4 ESV

When launching your ministry there is great excitement and zeal to begin building a generational ministry that sends skilled disciplemakers to the ends of the earth.  But as time moves forward, especially with increased numbers of people involved, the clarity of your mission can begin to fade.  Problems arise (they always do) and ‘shiny objects’ flutter in front of our eyes taking away from the laser focus we once had.  How do you  prevent mission drift and a loss of focus on the main thing?

First, you the leader must be crystal clear as to your responsibility and contribution.  You must gently say no to anything that would take you away from this contribution.  Just as the apostles did in acknowledging the importance of daily food distribution to widows, they also affirmed that their personal contribution was a  focus on prayer and the ministry of the Word of God.  They resolved the issue by delegating the solution to others without becoming embroiled in the details of the operations.

Secondly, you must continually cast vision and remind all involved with you about the mission.  As the ministry leader, you are the primary vision caster.  Saying it over and over again will embed not only the vision, but also the values which guide choices resulting in aligned behavior for the mission. 

Train yourself to communicate the mission and vision in multiple ways.  Use stories and metaphors to illustrate key values.  Model these values by your own behavior.  You are working against the natural degradation of the vision with the passing of time.  Remember the adage, “It’s hard to remember why you decided to drain the swamp when you are surrounded by alligators!”  Keep sharing the mission and vision wherever you go. 

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29 Jun 2026
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Recruit to Vision, Not Just Activities!

When recruiting others to join you in your vision, don’t just invite for something to do.  Invite them to join a change process for them personally and for a bigger cause.  People are looking for something bigger than themselves to give their lives to. 

Note how God recruits Moses at the burning bush in Exodus 3.  The bigger cause is the deliverance of God’s people from their suffering in Egypt at the hand of Pharaoh.  The activity required was that Moses himself would confront Pharaoh on God’s behalf and lead the people out of Egypt.  

When Jesus recruited the two sets of brothers to leave their fishing business and become vocational disciples, note what He said.  “Come, follow me and I’ll make you fishers of men.” (Mark 1:17).  They were invited into a change process – leave your fishing business and be made into new men who will fish for other men instead of fish. 

The clearer you can paint the vision for those you are recruiting the better.  They must be able not only to understand the vision but also be able to see themselves participating in it.  You are asking them to make a decision, often one that will require a cost, so make the invitation clear enough that there is no later regret based upon a lack of understanding of the cost.

Good vision casting is clear, concise, and compelling for others.  As the team leader you must work to communicate your ministry vision in such a way that others easily understand it and want to join you.  Your own commitment to making the vision a reality will motivate others like you.  Don’t underestimate the power of your personal example.  Trust God to bring the people you need!

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15 Jun 2026

Don’t Compare or Compete with Others!

The Parable of the Talents – Matthew 25:14-30

A ‘talent’ was a measure of weight amounting to approximately 75 pounds and was often used to weigh out large amounts of gold.  For one servant to be entrusted with 5 x 75 lbs. of gold was a very large amount.  Even the servant who received one talent had a sizeable amount of starting capital to invest.   

Note that the Master’s servants were given different amounts of starting capital.  This difference was the sole choice of the Master, and this distribution difference was based upon the individual servant’s ability to manage the assets (v.15). 

Though not stated in this parable, but assumed, the servants were instructed to put the starting capital to work and grow it.  The first two did so and were rewarded by the Master for their obedience.  The third servant was punished because he disobeyed the Master’s instruction to increase the initial amount.  He was judged ‘wicked’ (disobedient) and lazy (he could have simply made a bank deposit).  His talent was given to the servant who had greater capacity to manage more. 

Any self-satisfaction measured by the number of people involved in your ministry is a foolish exercise.  You may be one who started with a large amount and are comparing yourself to another who started with less.  Your results could be deceptive given your starting assets.  “To whom much is given, much is required” (Luke 12:48).  We are simply to work as if to the Lord and let the results rest with Him (Colossians 3:23-25). 

Those who compare themselves to others are very unwise (2 Corinthians 10:12).  Keep your focus on Christ and do your best for His sake and for His glory alone. 

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01 Jun 2026

Two Are Better Than One and Three Is Even Better!

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him–a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 ESV

Note that when the Holy Spirit launched the pioneering ministry to the Gentiles, He set apart Barnabas and Saul (Paul) for the work.  It was the Holy Spirit who created the team concept for pioneering the work.  These two men then added John Mark as their helper on the first missionary tour (Acts 13:1-5). 

Pioneering a new ministry takes much effort.  Many unexpected obstacles appear and must be dealt with.  Some tasks are operational and some are more ‘spiritual.’  But all must be done.  It’s so helpful to have several to join in helping shoulder the workload.  Don’t seek to go alone!  Two are better than one and a three-cord strand is not easily broken.  No one individual has all the gifts or abilities needed to establish a sustainable initiative.  Ask God to bring you help – men and women of like-heart and vision who are skilled in the task.

Some have concluded that the number one reason for cross-cultural missionaries returning home is conflict with other team members.  Many serve with teammates they did not select but were assigned.  Many also are seeking to expand the Kingdom in high stress environments with formidable opposition.  Any character ‘cracks’ are soon amplified under the work pressure and become ‘chasms’ due to the efforts of our adversary. 

Ideally, working as a team in a familiar environment before moving into the pressure cooker of cross-cultural stress can be of great benefit.  Note that Barnabas and Saul served together in Antioch before being sent to the Gentiles.  While this does not always guarantee a successful team experience, it can greatly help.  We see that John Mark deserted the team and before the second missionary tour even Barnabas and Saul separated.  Both took others with them and formed new teams as they went out again.

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18 May 2026

Play Hardball, Not Softball!

Jesus had provided free food to 5,000 people and attracted many with engaging parables and wonderful healings.  He knew many were superficial in their commitment to following Him and their understanding of discipleship.  Thus, He drew a very clear line in the sand on what it meant to follow Him.  The Bread of Life sermon in John 6:41-69 defined the cost of discipleship.

“Everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life,” He said.  “I am the bread that came down from heaven,” He continued, referring to the physical manna God had provided for wandering Israel in the desert.  “I am the bread of life…unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.  Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life.”  The crowd grumbled as the cost of discipleship and His claims became clear. 

Jesus follows with, “Does this offend you?”  And John records, “From that time many of His disciples turned back and no longer followed Him.” (v. 66)  Jesus defined the relationship and left it to the people to decide if they would pay the price to truly follow Him as His disciples.  Sadly, many walked away.

Note too that Jesus did not assume the Twelve would continue with Him.  He says to them, “You do not want to leave too, do you?”  Peter sums up their attitude, “Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life?” (v. 67-68)

Billy Graham said, “Salvation is free, but discipleship will cost you everything.”  Discipleship is not about joining a social club or seeking fun with your friends.  It’s choosing life over death and a total commitment to obey Jesus whatever He may ask, trusting His promise of the resurrection and eternal life.

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04 May 2026

The Foundation Determines the Superstructure!

“In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles…” Luke 6:12-13 ESV

Having spent a year since His baptism around Jerusalem and recruited the two sets of brothers to full-time discipleship, Jesus now creates a ‘leadership team’ called the Apostles.  The Twelve were chosen by Jesus as He looked ahead two years knowing that He would be leaving them to carry on His mission to reach the world. 

These Twelve would become the model for others who would come.  Anyone who wondered what following Jesus was like only had to look at the example of His inner circle to know what discipleship meant.  The Twelve were both catalyst and model for the disciplemaking movement.  They were the foundation on which Jesus would build. 

Within two years from their designation a ‘messengers’ (apostles), they were given the final command to ‘make disciples of all the nations’ (Matthew 28:18-20).  They would take what they knew and experienced, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, seek to conquer the world.  Local leaders commented, “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.”  (Acts 6:13)

As others are attracted to your disciplemaking they will evaluate the quality of your influence by the lives of those already involved.  Especially those designated as disciplemaking leaders act as a living advertisement of what discipleship means. 

In the case of the Twelve, it was undeniable that they had ‘been with Jesus’ and no other schooling experience could explain their behavior.  The first generation determines all who follow. 

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20 Apr 2026

The Launch Determines the Orbit!

When you first arrive at your new ministry location you will be greeted by excited people who welcome you, saying all sorts of nice things.  “We’ve been praying for a disciplemaking ministry here…” or “You are such an answer to prayer…” or “We’ve been telling everyone about you…”  So uplifting! So exciting!

These people mean well and perhaps you are an answer to prayer – someone’s prayer.  And in your zeal to get started quickly with ‘short term wins’ you invite these people into a core group bible study or even begin to meet with them one-to-one.  You assume that God has prepared this ‘fruitful field’ and that these initial contacts are the foundations of many future spiritual generations.  This is a very wrong assumption.

What often occurs is that these people are attracted to the latest new and exciting thing and you are it – for the moment.  But next week or next month there will be another new and exciting thing starting and they will be there to greet them and welcome them like they did for you.  That’s their strength and design.  Nothing is wrong with this, just realize that your foundational ministry people will probably not be the ones who you initially meet. 

Go slow in your commitments to others.  Get to know your new ministry environment.  Seek to know and be known.  Pray and wait for the Lord to confirm who it is that He has chosen for you to build the foundation upon.  And don’t be surprised if it is not the people who you initially connected with when you arrived at your new ministry location.  Don’t build your ministry on those who greet you at the train station! 

You only get one ministry launch!  Make it a good one!

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