Developing Kingdom Leaders – Tom Yeakley

Taking the Mystery out of Leadership

Archive for the month “June, 2026”

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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