Developing Kingdom Leaders – Tom Yeakley

Taking the Mystery out of Leadership

Archive for the tag “character development”

01 Jul 2024

Good Beginnings Don’t Ensure Good Endings

Solomon assumed the leadership of Israel as a young man (mid-teens?). He knew he was beyond his depth and thus cried out to God for help (see 1 Kings 3). God heard his cry for help and granted him his desire which the need for wisdom to lead the kingdom. He consolidated his leadership, organized his team, and in the fourth year of his reign he began work on the temples (1 Kings 6:1).

Seven years later the construction of Solomon’s Temple was completed (1 Kings 6:37-38) and a two-week celebration occurred. A large assembly gathered to see the temple dedicated and the ark was moved to its final location. All looked good for the young king (now in his mid-20s) as he grew into manhood and his popularity grew.

The king was faithful to walk in the ways of God, “Three times a year Solomon used to offer up burnt offerings and peace offerings on the altar that he built to the LORD, making offerings with it before the LORD…” (1 Kings 9:25) ESV “Thus King Solomon excelled all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom. And the whole earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom, which God had put into his mind.” (1 Kings 10 23-24 ESV)

But “As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God as the heart of David his father had been.” (1 Kings 11:4) “So Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the LORD and did not wholly follow the LORD, as David his father had done. … And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods. But he did not keep what the LORD commanded.” (1 Kings 11:6, 9-10) ESV

And remember, Solomon died after 40 years of ruling Israel. If he began in his mid-teens, he was in his 50s when he died. His father David had set him up for success and the Lord had appeared to him personally twice. He had more wisdom than any other, yet his heart drifted as he grew older.

“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” Proverbs 4:23 NLT

Be careful. Be very careful! Good beginnings do not ensure good endings!

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17 Jun 2024
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Strive for Peace

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Romans 12:16-18 ESV

Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled… Hebrews 12:14-15 ESV

Differences of opinions, disagreements over decisions, or accusations about motive will occur in life and especially in leadership. How you respond to those who disagree reveals much about your heart. “For out of the heart the mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45). You will always believe that you are right, otherwise you would not have chosen what you did. But, when challenged or questioned about your decisions, will you seek to defend, justify, ‘return fire,’ or not?

One who finds their security and self-worth in being right or having others agree with them will have difficulty in leading others (especially leading other leaders) and the pursuit of peace. They give opportunity for an unforgiving spirit and bitterness to take root and defile their soul. The pursuit of harmony in their relationships is hindered by a self-righteous spirit and a desire for ‘justice’ as they define it.

Note how Paul and the author of Hebrews instruct those who have been wronged and face opposition. Live in harmony with each other. Strive for peace with everyone. Repay no one evil for evil. Do what is honorable in the sight of all.

It may not be possible for peace and harmony in all relationships. Doctrinal truth must not be compromised for the sake of peace or harmony. But ‘as far as it depends on you,’ forgive those who have wronged you. Let God bring about your ‘justice.’ He is more than capable of righting every wrong. He will defend you, your reputation, and fight for you, should there be a need.

“The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:2 ESV

Strive for peace and for holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

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20 May 2024

Leading By Example

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder … shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 1 Peter 5:1-3 ESV

It has been said, “Don’t do what I do. Do what I tell you to do.” What terrible leadership! Jesus had a lot of bad things to say about such leadership hypocrisy (see Matthew 23). What should be said by leaders is what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”

In the passage above, Peter appeals to the leaders he is writing to as a fellow leader (elder). He reminds them that they are spiritual shepherds responsible for overseeing God’s flock under their leadership. They are not to delegate or worse, abdicate that responsibility, but instead ‘exercise their oversight.’ He then exhorts them on how to execute their oversight with three admonitions. The first two are attitudes of a Kingdom leader and the third is a ‘how to’ action.

  1. Not under compulsion, but willingly – It’s a privilege to lead in the Kingdom of God – to have influence in the lives of others. Should God call you to lead, accept that humbly and gratefully, not having to be dragged along, but willingly. Yes, there comes burden with leading, but Jesus who calls also helps you carry that weight (see Matthew 11:29-30).
  2. Not for shameful gain, but eagerly – Leaders will have access to resources and power that others won’t. If you use those benefits for your personal gain at the expense of those you lead, you will be held accountable. Rather, eagerly sacrificing yourself for the sake of those you lead will not go unnoticed by God (and others). People move towards leaders who are looking out for their good and can ‘smell’ ego and self-promotion and run from it.
  3. Not domineering, but being an example – This was Jesus admonition regarding the world’s way of leading which says, “Because I’m the boss, that’s why!” (see Mark 10:41-45). If you have to default to your positional power base to get people to follow, something is very wrong! Leadership by example will be inspirational and motivate good behavior willingly.

Remember the Golden Rule of Leadership which says, “Lead others the way you want to be led.”

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06 May 2024

Kingdom Leaders and Financial Donors – 2

… He took his twelve disciples with him, along with some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases. Among them were Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons; Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s business manager; Susanna; and many others who were contributing from their own resources to support Jesus and his disciples. Luke 8:1-3 NLT

Jesus and the Twelve were materially supported by a group of committed, faithful, and generous women who gave out of their own resources to enable Jesus’ ministry team to advance the Kingdom through their ministry of discipleship. Here’s a continuation of the previous blog on relating to your ministry donors.

  1. Do assume a sense of accountability to regularly communicate to your donors how their investment is impacting the world for Christ and the Kingdom. Do not exaggerate your ministry results and don’t understate any ministry difficulties. Be real about the good times and the hard times.
  2. View your personal and ministry donors as a vital part of your entire ministry audience who you are seeking to influence for Christ. Use your donor communications to minister to your donor’s souls, not just report your ministry activities.
  3. Don’t be like the nine lepers who Jesus healed who failed to return to Him and say thank you. Express thankfulness to your donors regularly for their partnership with you in the Gospel. You cannot say ‘thank you’ too many times!
  4. In your heart, do not view major financial donors as more valuable than those who give smaller amounts. Remember the widow who gave two small copper coins out of her poverty (see Mark 12:41-44). Major financial donors may have more strategic impact on the ministry, but their individual worth to God is the same as your $5 a month donor. Do not differentiate in your heart any partiality between the rich and the poor (see James 1:1-9).
  5. How and what you communicate to major donors may be different than that of smaller ministry donors. But all donors want to know what their donations (investments) in your ministry are yielding in way of outcomes. Always be accurate and truthful regarding your ministry impact!
  6. Pray for ministry ‘patrons’ who God will raise up to partner in great ways with you from their wealth. William Tyndale had Humphrey Monmouth who financed his translating the Bible into English. John Newton had John Thornton who opened many doors of ministry through his social connections and wealth. Lady Huntingdon invested great resources into the ministries of John Wesley and George Whitefield.
  7. And always remember, “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own?” Luke 16:10-12 ESV

Seek to cultivate an attitude of gratitude. “… What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift?” 1 Corinthians 4:7 NLT

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22 Apr 2024

Kingdom Leaders and Financial Donors – 1

Soon afterward Jesus began a tour of the nearby towns and villages, preaching and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom of God. He took his twelve disciples with him, along with some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases. Among them were Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons; Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s business manager; Susanna; and many others who were contributing from their own resources to support Jesus and his disciples. Luke 8:1-3 NLT

Jesus and the Twelve were materially supported by a group of committed, faithful, and generous women who gave out of their own resources to enable Jesus’ ministry team to advance the Kingdom through their ministry of discipleship. This partnership between the ministry team and the ministry supporters was critical for the ministry to function. And though little is said about it, these women “and many others” who supported Jesus, their background work was key to the ‘foreground’ public ministry.

Many Kingdom leaders and our ministries are supported by the sacrificial, generous gifts financial donors who faithfully give monthly that we might fulfill our God-given calling. They are partners with us in advancing the Gospel, investing their money to help fulfill the Great Commission through us (Matthew 28:18-20). Thus, we are obligated to steward these investments wisely, with accountability for how they are used in our ministry, in ways that are above reproach.

Here are several thoughts on our stewardship of the money given to us and our ministries:

  1. Never take your ministry donors for granted! Those who invest in you and your ministry are themselves, ‘gifts’ entrusted to you for your stewardship. Part of your ministry is a ministry to your financial donors. Note that the women who supported Jesus were a part of his ‘traveling team.’ No doubt, along with the Twelve, they too got to hear the explanations of the parables and ask Jesus questions (see Mark 4:34).
  2. Note that for Jesus and the Twelve to minister to others it took these prominent women ‘donors’ and ‘many others.’ Pray and work for a broad donor support team who count it a privilege to invest in you and your ministry and will faithfully give.
  3. Do not assume that because a donor gives to you or your work that they want to become your ‘best friend.’ Many major donors are investing in multiple ministries, not just yours. Respect that reality and don’t presume a more personal relationship unless invited.

Seek to cultivate an attitude of gratitude. “… What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift?” 1 Corinthians 4:7 NLT

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08 Apr 2024

When God Says “No”

And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” … And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. … And he came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Mark 14:35-36, 39, 41 ESV

Three times Jesus asked His Father to change the plan. He asked in faith. He asked specifically. He asked personally. And implied, not stated, His Father said, “No, Son. We are going ahead with Plan A tomorrow. You will die on the cross as a sacrificial atonement for the sins of the world.”

When God says “yes” to our requests it’s an easy acceptance. But, when God says ‘no,’ we must submit ourselves to His loving, perfect plan for us – whether we agree with, understand it, and regardless of our feelings about His answer. This attitude was modeled by the Son in the Garden when He said, “….Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

David’s baby son was very sick. He prayed and fasted, asking God to heal his son. But in the end, his infant son died (see 2 Samuel 12:15-22). God told him ‘no.’

The demonized man who had been miraculously healed, begged Jesus to let him join the team. Jesus told him ‘no’ – go home and tell your family and friends what God has done for you (see Mark 5:18-20).

James and John asked for Kingdom seats on the right and left of Jesus. They were told ‘no’ – those seats were already taken by someone else (see Mark 10:35-40).

Paul asked the Lord three times to heal him and remove his ‘thorn in the flesh.’ And three times God told him ‘no,’ that ‘thorn’ will remain with you for the rest of your life (see 2 Corinthians 12:7-10).

When God tells you ‘no’ regarding something that seems so ‘yes’ to you, what will you do? Will you rage against the Almighty, shaking your fists? “How dare You not agree with me!  Explain yourself!” 

Will you shrink back, become despondent, and bitter towards your Maker? The clay questions the Potter, “What are you doing? I demand an answer that makes sense to me.” 

Or will you surrender your plans, desires, and your feelings to Him who is good and all He does is good. Will you be able to trust Him with everything – yes, everything? His grace is sufficient for all things.    

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07 Aug 2023

Taking a Pause

After 11 years and over 500 weekly blogs regarding Kingdom leadership, I’m going to take a pause in publishing these blogs until later in the fall.

Should you be interested in reading more of these thoughts, click on the tab at the top titled Tom’s Materials and there you will find a free download of 100 of my most popular blogs titled – A Primer for Kingdom Leaders.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT

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24 Jul 2023
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Believing God for the Impossible

“Look at the nations and watch–and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.” Habakkuk 1:5 NIV

When God invites into a journey of faith and affirms His will for us by giving us His promises for our life and leadership, a question often arises in our hearts and minds. “How can this be, Lord?”

Note what Mary says when told by Gabriel that she would be the mother of the Messiah. “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” (Luke 1:37) Gabriel’s response was to point her to the One who had made the promise, “For nothing will be impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37 ESV)

We are to focus our hearts and minds upon the One who makes the promise – the One whose power and faithfulness stand behind all He says. Focus on the One who cannot lie and who does not change. And let Him take care of how it will all work out. He will surprise you!

In fact, if you can try to imagine how God will work, it’s almost certain that He will not choose that way to answer you. For He does “above and beyond what we can ask or imagine.” You can even imagine how He’s going to do what He’s going to do!

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV

Have you been focusing on ‘how’ God will answer instead of focusing on who and what He has promised, leaving the ‘how’ to Him? Trust Him to figure out how it will all work! He’s really good at doing the impossible!

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17 Jul 2023

Do Not Hold Back!

“Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities.” Isaiah 54:2-3 NIV

The context of Isaiah 54 is the promised restoration of Zion and the Lord’s people. The Lord encourages His people to prepare the “tent,” make sure that it is large and accommodating, for the Lord has promised to fill it with many people. Why would He have to exhort them so? What would cause them to think too small, build too small, and be short-sighted in their preparations for the Lord’s actions?

In observing Kingdom leaders’ actions, I would suggest the following reasons as to why we don’t believe God and thus, don’t prepare well for God’s promised blessings:

1. Lack of faith and trust – God is talking about a future that is known and assured for Him. But for us, it is unknown and looks very insecure. We now have a choice to make. Do we trust God, His promises in His Book which are backed by His character and His power? Or do we choose to trust in what we can see, know, experience and trust in our own logic? And all the while we frame it under the argument of being ‘prudent’ or ‘realistic.’

Now certainly God does not want us to ‘throw away’ our minds or ignore sound thinking when we lead others (see Proverbs 3:5-6). But, having done our due diligence, where do we place weight in our decision-making? Are we trusting in ourselves or in God?

2. Fear that limits risk taking – Notice how many times in the Scriptures the Lord says, “Don’t be afraid…” Yet fear is a normal response to a perceived threat. It can be lifesaving in some situations. But we are called to faith, trust, and courage in response to threats. The issue is what controls our actions – our fear that can paralyze us or faith that acknowledges the threat, but chooses to act in faith.

Note what God promises in the passages that follow the above in Isaiah 54:4-5:

“Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood. For your Maker is your husband–the LORD Almighty is his name–the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth.”

Will you choose to trust God and prepare for His promised help and blessing? Or will you choose to trust in your ability to see and what your current resources tell you is prudent?

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10 Jul 2023

Let Go and Let God – Really?

There is a dynamic tension that Kingdom leaders face in how much do I, the leader do, and how much do I let God do? This tension is manifested in leaders being people of action – we are not satisfied with the status quo. We want to make something happen! And yet, for those who lead in the Kingdom of God there is a balancing pull to not take control and depend solely upon yourself and your own abilities. Wanting to see God’s hand and power displayed through our leadership. One extreme might push us towards frenetic business, trying to make things work the way we hope. While the other extreme calls us to a passiveness that sits and waits for God to show up and do His God-like stuff. Neither seems correct.

When tempted to passivity, I’m reminded of the truth in Colossians 3:23 NIV – Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters… We are called to work with our whole hearts on whatever we endeavor for we are serving Christ our Lord by this work. Thus, laziness or a half-hearted effort is not honoring to Him who died for us. Yes, work and work hard when you do. Give it your all!

But when you do work, remember this in Proverbs 21:31 NIV – The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD. Yes, we engage in our work initiatives with all we have, holding a standard of excellence worthy of the King of kings. But we leave the outcome of the battle with Him. He is the one who determines the results. Should my efforts go well, I thank Him. Should they not, I thank Him by faith that He is doing something good that I do not understand at this moment. I trust Him regardless of my outcomes.

Our human fears and insecurities will tend to push us to want to take control and try to assure an outcome. Yes, we give lip-service to God, but we are really trusting in our own strength and abilities to effectuate and outcome. We shy from fully committing our way to the Lord and by our actions communicate that God needs our help.

God says this – The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14 NIV

And again, He says – He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10 NIV

So, it’s a both-and, not an either-or course. Yes, we work. And yes, we trust in Him. Just don’t move off the center to trusting more in your own efforts than trusting Him to work on your behalf.

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