Developing Kingdom Leaders – Tom Yeakley

Taking the Mystery out of Leadership

Archive for the month “September, 2025”

22 Sep 2025

Mobility for the King and the Gospel

When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he left Judea and returned to Galilee.  He first went to Nazareth, then left and moved to Capernaum, beside the Sea of Galilee, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali.  Matthew 4:12-13

Having completed the first year of His public ministry in and around Judea, Jesus’ ministry began to grow.  Many of John the Baptist’s followers became disciples of Jesus (John 3:26).  As His popularity grew, opposition formed as He was viewed as a threat to the Jewish leaders.  This initiated a change of ministry location for Jesus as seen above.  He left Judea and moved north to Galilee (John 4:1-3).  He left His childhood home and moved to Capernaum which would now become His home for the final 2.5 years of His ministry (see Mark 2:1).

Mobility is part of a disciplemaker’s lifestyle as we follow Christ.  Jesus modeled mobility when He left His widowed mother (assumed) and family and moved from Nazareth to Capernaum as He launched year two of His ministry (see Matthew 4:13).  It would seem that this was a strategic move away from forming opposition in Judea and family and friends because they did not accept Him or His ministry (Mark 6:1-6).

Jesus does promise reward for those who leave home for His sake and the gospel (see Mark 10:29-30).  But there is no greater spirituality in moving, nor is it less spiritual to stay in one place for many years.  It is simply a matter of obedience to God’s calling on our life.  Some will stay in one location for many years, and some will move many times.  Some circumstances and seasons of life will necessitate us moving.  And it will seem always seem stretching, especially when God says move at ‘inconvenient times.’  Remember, God asked Joseph and Mary to move to Egypt with a young baby!

We note in the Great Commission passage of Matthew 28:19 that ‘go’ literally means ‘as you go.’  But it also implies an attitude of mobility as we go about our daily serving Christ in our mission.  We do not have to go far away to bear much fruit, but neither should we resist if the Lord asks us to relocate to a different part of the harvest field.  He is the Lord of the harvest and we are His servants.

Listen carefully to Him. And when He says “move,” it’s time to pack!

Posted in #2 BE - Who a Leader Is, #3 DO - What a Leader Does and tagged , , , , , ,
08 Sep 2025

Entangled

And they said to him, “By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?” Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. … So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.” Mark 11:28-29, 33 ESV

The opposition was trying to trap Jesus with this question about His authority to act as He was doing. Note how Jesus answered their question with a question. He told them that if they answered His question first, exposing their unbelief and duplicity, then He would answer their question. They discussed it and refused to give Him an answer. He, being true to His word, also refused to answer their question.

Leaders sometimes are asked questions, often in a public setting, which can be difficult to answer succinctly or without a longer explanation for clarity. Knowing your answer will be quoted by others, sometimes it is best not to answer. A simple, “I’m not sure I have an answer for that,” or “I’ll need to think about that some more” can be sufficient for the moment. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you also must have an answer because you are the leader.

Prudence and discernment can help in determining the motive behind the question and whether it is worthy of a response. Some Kingdom leaders get baited into public opinions they really don’t want to be quoted on. Questions related to politics, social justice, opinions and actions of others, or current news items that have little bearing on the Kingdom or your personal mission are best avoided. An answer like, “I don’t have a public opinion about that,” can silence the curious.

Social media or email is easily forwarded or edited by those who would do harm to the advance of the gospel or tarnish your reputation for evil purposes. Think before you hit the send button. Respond, don’t react. Let emotions settle before you reply. You don’t have to always give an answer. Don’t get baited into a side-issue confrontation that takes you away from your God-given mission. History is replete with many Kingdom leaders who became entangled in other issues.

Remember Paul’s exhortation to Timothy, “No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him.” NASB20

Posted in #3 DO - What a Leader Does and tagged , , , , , , , ,

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