Developing Kingdom Leaders – Tom Yeakley

Taking the Mystery out of Leadership

Archive for the tag “development”

06 Jul 2015

The Amazing John Sung

John Sung was a young Chinese believer who was sent by his family to America to study chemistry. After obtaining his PhD from Ohio State he went on to seminary before returning to China. During his time in the U.S., God called John to a life of service for the Kingdom. On the ship home one evening, he took his diplomas and threw them into the Pacific Ocean, telling God he would follow Him wherever He led.

After arriving home, he told his family of his calling and decision to serve Christ rather than teach science. The family thought he had lost his mind and committed him a mental institution. During his 193 days in the asylum, Sung read the Bible through 40 times! Finally, the family had him released, and he became an itinerant evangelist traveling throughout China and many Asian countries. His fifteen-year ministry was characterized by unusual power and influence until his death at the age of 43.

Not all of those who seek God’s best will be asked to give up their careers in order to serve Christ full-time. Many will serve Him in God-honoring careers, being light and salt in the marketplace. But whatever their vocation, the pilgrims of this new generation of believers will often live lives that will be misunderstood by others.

Pilgrim values will be contrary to the values of this world. Life decisions based on eternal values will go against the tide of this world’s norms. Pilgrims will be thought of as foolish or at least not living up to their full potential. It will only be in the world to come that we will see completely who made the correct choices. “But wisdom is proved right by all her children” (Luke 7:35).

How’s your value system?  Is it based upon this world or the world to come?

Posted in #2 BE - Who a Leader Is and tagged , , , , , , , , , ,
08 Jun 2015

If Laborers are Few, then Leaders are Fewer

Jesus states a simple fact in Mat. 9:35 – the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers (workers) are few. This reality was true when Jesus stated it, it is still true today, and it will be true when He returns. Why would there be ‘few’ laborers? Why are laborer-leaders in short supply?

First, the laborers are few because it is costly, hard work to labor for Christ. Most of us, if we are honest, have the ‘gift’ of being served, instead of serving others. It is this tendency that encourages many to let the few serve the many. It takes a lot out of us as we serve, lead, and help others. This effort is draining and personally depleting. Work is still called ‘work,’ even in the Kingdom.

Secondly, the laborer-leaders are few because it is a volunteer workforce. Just as we can opt in or out of salvation, we are also given the opportunity to opt in or out of spiritual serving. Yes, making disciples of all the nations is a command, but we have the choice to make of whether we will obey or not. We are incentivized with the promise of rewards for faithful service (1 Cor.3) and reminded of the potential loss of reward, but it is not conscription in the Lord’s service.

Thirdly, there must be a transformation with us in order to labor and lead in the harvest. We must change from being self-focused to being others focused. This is a spiritual work that the Holy Spirit does within us and the heart and mind of Christ are formed within all those who believe and follow Him. We can ask for a new heart (Ez. 22:30) that He promises and He will give it. But the transformation is truly a miracle of His grace as we grow out of our own ego centric world views to become others centered.

The amazing thing about Mat 9:35-38 is that Jesus is not complaining about the lack of a few laborers. He is simply stating the facts. God’s purposes will be accomplished, even though there are only a few laborers entering into the harvest. The harvest will be reaped. God’s plans will be completed, with us or without us.

It’s a volunteer outfit. Do I see that hand up?

Posted in #1 KNOW- How a Leader Thinks and tagged , , , , , , , ,
01 Jun 2015
5 Comments

Leaders and Crisis

Life and leadership bring crisis moments whether we are expecting them or not. They just happen! This reality should prepare us to address them when they show up. But we are often taken by surprise when a crisis interrupts our plans. Crises are not something to be dreaded, but rather embraced.

The following are several thoughts on how to face up to your next leadership crisis:
1. Adjust your attitude! This current crisis is an opportunity for your personal growth as a leader as you address this latest ‘disaster.’ Rather than fearing this crisis, embrace it and look for the Lord to help you not only conquer the problem, but also turn this into a hidden blessing.

2. Move towards it now! It will not solve itself! If ignored, it will probably grow worse, bigger, more ominous, or ripple out to influence more people. Just as David ran towards Goliath (see 1 Sam. 17:48), move towards this threat and engage!

3. Do not delegate your problems to someone else on your team. Others can ‘smell’ that kind of lack of courage or unwillingness to deal with something that is messy.

4. While not delegating the crisis to another, loop in some others for help. You continue to run point on the crisis, but by bring in others for help they too will grow from the experience and their contributions will often help bring about a better solution than if you handled it all yourself.

5. Look for the best solution to the problem, not just the quickest or easiest. One practical discipline that I have tried to develop in this area of problem solving is to force myself to come up with several possible solutions, not just one. But doing this I am often pushing myself to think more deeply or broadly to different, more creative ways to solve the issue. The final action is often some combination of several possible solution scenarios.

6. Expect God to help you. He has promised to never leave you or forsake you (Mat. 28:20). Look to Him in the midst of seeking a way forward. The prayer of Jehoshaphat in 2 Chron. 20:12 is instructive, “Lord… we do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”

7. When the crisis abates, and it will, be sure to give thanks for deliverance from the current mess. An ungrateful spirit is disappointing to others serving with you and revealing about our hubris as if we were the ones who really solved the issue.
Crises come and crises go. Your either in the midst of one right now or one is coming soon. Get ready! One person’s crisis is another person’s ‘opportunity.’

Posted in #2 BE - Who a Leader Is, #3 DO - What a Leader Does and tagged , , , , , , , ,
25 May 2015

Serving God with a Good Attitude

God has a volunteer workforce.  We are all invited to co-labor with Him (see 1 Corinthians 3).  When we ‘raise our hand’ and join up with Him and many other volunteers the key is have a good attitude.  The following are 3 Attitudes of a Spiritual Laborer that make us useful in the Master’s hands.

Attitude #1     Willing to Respond to a Call to Co-Labor

The Lord invites us to join up with Him, but we have the option to choose whether we will serve.  He will accomplish His purposes with us or without us.  It is a privilege to serve with Him.  We were designed for this destiny.

• Personal calling – you will know when He is asking YOU!  –   Moses – Ex 3:4; Samuel – 1 Sam 3:10; Mary – Luke 1
• God can use need or circumstances to call – Paul with the Macedonian vision – Acts 16:9; Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”

Attitude #2     Willingness to Work Very Hard

Volunteering for Jesus is hard work!  It requires serving others who will frequently no be grateful.  It requires perseverance for many tasks are difficult and complex.  The example of laboring found in Mat 9:35-38 is one of a common field hand worked the barley or wheat harvests with a small curved knife.  It was back-breaking work in the heat of the day.  Laboring with Jesus is not for wimps!

Attitude #3    Willingness to Risk Everything and Sacrifice

Those who volunteer to serve with Jesus give everything they have.  Billy Graham said, “Salvation is free, but discipleship will cost you everything you have.”  Volunteers commit themselves to God for their reward in heaven, not expecting rewards in this life.  They put Christ above comfort; living for world to come.  Two passages mentioning reward for service are:  Mark 10:29-30 and Luke 18:29-30.

How’s your attitude?  Have you raised your hand to volunteer for service?  Having second thoughts?  It’s time to re-up!  Raise your hand!

Posted in #1 KNOW- How a Leader Thinks, #3 DO - What a Leader Does and tagged , , , , , , , ,
18 May 2015
2 Comments

The Amazing John Wesley

John Wesley was the fifteenth child of Samuel and Susanna Wesley.  Born in 1703,  he was converted at the age of 35 after university and a failed ministry attempt with his brother, Charles, in the Georgia Colony.  Though coming to faith later in life, Wesley made up for his ‘late start’ and his energy seemingly knew no bounds.

“John Wesley averaged three sermons a day for fifty-four years, preaching all told more than 44,000 times.  In doing this he traveled by horseback and carriage more than 200,000 miles or about 5,000 miles a year.

“His published words include a four volume commentary on the whole bible, a dictionary of the English language, a five-volume work on natural philosophy, a four volume work on church history; histories of England and Rome; grammars on the Hebrew, Latin, Greek, French and English languages; three works on medicine, six volumes of church music; and seven volumes of sermons and controversial papers.  He also edited a library of fifty volumes know as “The Christian Library.”

“His daily schedule was as follows.  He arose at 4:00am and worked solidly through to 10:00pm, allowing brief periods for meals.  In the midst of all this work he declared, “I have more hours of private retirement than any man in England.”

“At age 83, he was piqued to discover that he could not write more than 15 hours a day without hurting his eyes; and at the age of 86 he was ashamed to admit that he could not preach more than twice a day.  In his 86th year, he preached to almost every shire in England and Wales and often rode thirty to fifty miles a day.”  (Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations by Paul Lee Tan)

John Wesley finished his race just short of his 88th birthday.  While his lifestyle is one few could imitate, his passion for Christ is compelling.  How’s your work ethic?  Are you pursuing hard after Christ and His Kingdom?

Posted in #3 DO - What a Leader Does and tagged , , , , , , , ,
11 May 2015

Golden Apples

Hippomenes was a mythical, Greek young man who was in love with the beautiful Atalanta.  Atalanta, in addition to her striking beauty, was also a gifted runner, but she had a cruel, sadistic character.  Many young men became infatuated with her beauty and desired to marry her.  These men were challenged to a foot race with two conditions.  If the man won the race, he could marry Atalanta.  But if he lost, he would pay with his life.  Many a man tried and paid the ultimate price for his second place finish.

Hippomenes also became mesmerized by Atalanta’s beauty and challenged her to a race.  Shortly after the race began he lagging behind.  Reaching into his tunic, he withdrew a golden apple and threw it in front of the streaking Atalanta.  The flash of gold caught her eye and she stopped to pick up the golden fruit as Hippomenes raced by.  She soon recovered and again moved ahead of him.  Hippomenes pulled a second golden apple from his tunic and threw it in front of Atalanta who once again stopped to pick it up.  As Hippomenes passed the crouching Atalanta, she realized that the race was nearing the finish and she recovered soon enough to regain a comfortable lead with a short distance to go.

Hippomenes retrieved the last of his golden apples from his tunic and rolled it ahead of Atalanta as she approached the finish.  Atalanta was in a quandary; should she stop and pick up the apple or press for the finish line?  She reasoned that she certainly could do both, so she stopped to placed the golden fruit in her robe just a Hippomenes passed her and raced towards the finish.  She recovered, but now with such a short distance, she was not able to beat him.  Hippomenes had won!

This is not an illustration on how to find a life partner!  Rather, as you race through life, you will find the enemy of your soul rolling “golden apples” of opportunity, compromise and temptation in your path.  Are you stopping to admire these golden globes?  Have you picked them up and made them your own?

Posted in #2 BE - Who a Leader Is and tagged , , , , , , , , , ,
04 May 2015

Jesus’ Way of Developing Leaders

I’ve always loved the Gospel of Mark because of the action oriented narrative.   You’ll remember that Mark’s gospel begins with a one-year gap (Mark 1:13-14) between His baptism and the 18-month ministry in Galilee.  This first year of Jesus’ public ministry is only recorded in John 1-4.

Below is a short outline of some key leader development passages as found in Mark.  While this is not an exhaustive list, it does serve as a reminder of how to be more intentional about developing those leaders we have influence with.

Mark 1:14-18 –  Jesus was on the move and He recruited others to join Him in the movement; note that He recruited busy, industrious people

Mark 1:35 –  Jesus was a pacesetter/model, especially in spending time with His Father

Mark 1:36-39 –  Jesus had a plan for His ministry; He took the risk of disappointing those He was leading by saying ‘no’ to their desires for Him

Mark 3:14 –  the emerging leaders were “with Him” first and then sent out

Mark 3:16-17 –  having nicknames indicates He knew His disciples well; there was a deep, personal relationship with Him

Mark 4:10,34 –  He gave special training and development to a few; He told them “why and what”

Mark 4:35 –  Jesus took the initiative and led out by example

Mark 6:6-9 –  Jesus modeled faith and expected it of His disciples; living by faith was to be a lifestyle

Mark 6:30-31 –  He modeled for them the importance of taking time for reflective evaluation and relaxation

Mark 8:31 –  He sought to keep His disciples informed about upcoming events

Mark 9:14-16 –  Jesus protected His disciples from threats; note how He takes the argument with the teachers of the law onto Himself

Mark 10:28-31 –  Jesus was an encourager; He affirmed good behavior

Mark 11:1-3 –  He emphasized forethought, scenario planning, and training before sending them out on assignments

Mark 14:10 –  Jesus too had one of His leaders who did not do well; not all failures are reflections on the leader and their ability to train others

Reflect on these passages.  Open the bible with those you are developing.  Look carefully at the model of Jesus and how He developed leaders.  Remember to, “Lead from the Scriptures and into the Scriptures!”

Posted in #3 DO - What a Leader Does, #4 REPRODUCE - Developing More Leaders and tagged , , , , , , , , ,
27 Apr 2015
1 Comment

Developing a Leader’s Faith

DAVID – DEVELOPING AND EXERCISING FAITH
1 Samuel 17:1-50

Faith:  acting in accordance with what God has promised to do or in accordance with His character

Development of Faith

1 Samuel 17:36-37
Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”
Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you.”

Lesson:  Yesterday’s tests prepare us for today’s trials (cf. Jeremiah 12:5)

Exercising Faith

1 Samuel 17:38-40
Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. 39 David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them.  “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. 40 Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.

Lesson:  God has provided all we need to accomplish His work through us (cf. Zechariah 4:6)

1 Samuel 17:45-47
David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied….47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’S, and he will give all of you into our hands.”

Lesson:  It is God, not our faith, resources, or abilities, who brings success to our efforts  (cf. Luke 17:5-6; 2 Corinthians 1:8-9)

As Kingdom leaders we are reliant upon unseen resources that we tap into by faith.  This is a learned habit developed over a lifetime.  Where’s your confidence resting?  Is it in what is seen and known or are you trusting the unseen Lord to lead, guide, and resource you?

Posted in #2 BE - Who a Leader Is and tagged , , , , , , , , ,
20 Apr 2015

Leading from a Focused Life

Dr. RJ (Bobby) Clinton in his masterful work titled, “Strategic Concepts that Clarify a Focused Life,” states the following principles that have proven to be a guiding light for me over the years.

For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to
do it, and to teach in Israel statues and judgments.       Ezra 7:10

“Clearly some Bible characters led focused lives.  There was purpose in what they did. Disciplined minds followed through on decisions that continually led to that purpose.  What can we learn about lives that are extremely focused?  Do they just happen?

“Leaders, must make decisions about life and ministry which flow from their understanding of who God has made them to be and for what God is shaping them.  These decisions will lead them to effective purposeful lives, which in retrospect will be seen to have been focused lives.  But it is not a self-seeking individualistic choice of life, but a seeking of what a SOVEREIGN GOD is doing—His purposes.  All of the focused life thinking must be done in light of a strong understanding of the Sovereignty of God.

“What is a focused life?  A focused life is:

• a life dedicated to exclusively carrying out God’s effective purposes through it,
• by identifying the focal issues, that is, the life purpose, effective methodology, major role, or ultimate contribution which allows
• an increasing prioritization of life’s activities around the focal issues, and
• results in a satisfying life of being and doing.

“Dedicated usually indicates that there was some sort of second decision beyond just being a Christian.  That decision places all that the leader is or has at God’s disposal to be used by and for God.  From that moment on, the leader is on a pilgrimage to discover God’s special purposes, that is, a personal destiny with God.

“Life purpose, effective methodology, major role, or ultimate contribution are called the focal issues.  That is, they are the major ways that God will reveal that for which we are designed.  In a nutshell, life purpose is the driving force behind what we do.  Major role is the occupational position from which we accomplish that life purpose.  Effective methodologies are means that are effective for us to deliver our ministry that flows from that life purpose.  And ultimate contributions are the lasting results of that ministry

“It is the discovery of these focal issues, that is, their movement from implicit to explicit, which provides the possibility of prioritization or in other words, proactive decision-making. The earlier we can discover these issues, the earlier we can proactively act upon them. The leader then makes strategic decisions, which take into account the discoveries. In short, they manifest aspects of a focused life.

“Note the final bold-faced words in the focused life definition, a satisfying life of being and doing.  Leaders who discover life purpose and any other focal issue, which synergizes with it, will see things happen in their lives.  They will become people of character.  They will accomplish.  When all is said and done and life is drawing to a close, they can look back and say, “Folks, you are looking at a fulfilled person.  I am happy with the end product of God’s shaping—who I am, what I have become.  I am happy at what God has done through me—what I have done.  Life was worth living.  It has been a fulfilling pilgrimage.  Praise God!” “

How’s your focus?

Posted in #2 BE - Who a Leader Is, #3 DO - What a Leader Does and tagged , , , , , , , , , ,
16 Mar 2015

Leader Development at West Point

Some time ago I had the privilege of visiting the US Military Academy (West Point) to learn how they develop leaders.  The following is a short summary of their development model.  Note the emphasis on spiritual and ethical leader development as part of their foundation for growing leaders.

“The West Point Experience (WPE) is the primary developmental vehicle for accomplishing the military Academy’s mission.*  There are two main ways to describe the WPE:  how the cadets experience it, and how it is organized and implemented by the Military Academy. The cadets experience growth in six primary areas: intellectual, military, physical, spiritual, ethical, and social. The three primary developmental programs are Academic, Military, and Physical.

“Three domains focus on acquisition and application of professional knowledge and expertise. These domains are Intellectual, Military, and Physical. The intellectual domain focuses on a well-grounded and wide range education. They are required and expected to think critically, and to anticipate and respond effectively to a changing world. The military domain focuses on the warrior ethos and the winning spirit. This domain trains for real combat and military context. The physical domain focuses on the physical development of the soldier.

“The spiritual domain focuses on two aspects: character is rooted in the essence of who we are as individuals, and discerning who we are, is a lifelong search for meaning. This domain has two areas it focuses on, spiritual fitness and opportunities for spiritual growth. The ethical domain focuses on linking ones spirituality to the ethical norms of their profession. The four areas focused on in this domain are the warfighter, servant of the nation, member of a profession, and leader of character. The social domain focuses on the “Do.” It is not enough to know everything needed, one needs to choose to act in the right way.

“Principles of leader-subordinate relationships are listed.
• Leaders and subordinates abide by the ethical standards of our profession
• Leaders and subordinates demonstrate mutual loyalty and teamwork
• Leaders and subordinates never gain or seek privilege at the expense of others
• Leaders and subordinates respect each others dignity and worth
• Leaders and subordinates accept responsibility for their own actions
• Leaders establish clear, attainable objectives and standards
• Leaders motivate and inspire subordinates
• Leaders enable communication
• Leaders promote self-esteem and provide constructive evaluation of duty performance, enabling improvement and development”

* United States Military Academy Mission:  To educate, train, and inspire the Corps of Cadets so that each graduate is a commissioned leader of character committed to the values of Duty, Honor, Country; professional growth throughout a career as an officer in the United States Army; and a lifetime of service to the Nation.

Posted in #1 KNOW- How a Leader Thinks, #4 REPRODUCE - Developing More Leaders and tagged , , , , , , , , ,

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