Developing Kingdom Leaders – Tom Yeakley

Taking the Mystery out of Leadership

Archive for the tag “emerging leaders”

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!

Posted in #1 KNOW- How a Leader Thinks, #3 DO - What a Leader Does and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment
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! 

Posted in #2 BE - Who a Leader Is and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment
27 Jul 2026
1 Comment

‘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.

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

Posted in #2 BE - Who a Leader Is and tagged , , , , , , , , ,
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.

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

Posted in #1 KNOW- How a Leader Thinks, #3 DO - What a Leader Does and tagged , , , , , , , , ,
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. 

Posted in #1 KNOW- How a Leader Thinks, #3 DO - What a Leader Does and tagged , , , , , , , ,
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 , , , , , ,
14 Jul 2025

Living and Leading at a Sustainable Pace – 2

Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to visit you with the other brothers, but it was not at all his will to come now. He will come when he has opportunity. 1 Corinthians 16:12 ESV

Note how in this passage Paul ‘strongly urged’ Apollos to go to Corinth to help address some pressing issues outlined in his letter to them. There was a very pressing need in Corinth. And besides this need, the Apostle Paul was also ‘pressing’ Apollos to go. Yet, despite all the pressure from different sides, Apollos refused to go at this time. He would come sometime in the future, but not now.

That decision took a lot of courage! That decision came from someone who would not be intimidated or driven by an urgent request – even though it was legitimate. Apollos knew that some others could and would go (it appears Titus carried the letter to Corinth – see 2 Corinthians 2:12-13). It just wasn’t going to be him at this time. He had his reasons.

Why do Kingdom leaders move to reaction leadership and a personal drivenness to achieve, rather than staying within their God-given boundaries and saying ‘no’ when appropriate? Here are some of the lies we believe that drive us to live and lead at an unhealthy, unsustainable pace.

o “Success in the ministry depends upon me.” We would never say this, but we often live like it!
o “True commitment equals busyness beyond the limits of normal.” You know, leaders are busy people!
o “If I don’t accept this task or opportunity, then I will be left out or considered uncommitted by others.” Their opinion of me really matters for my sense of well-being!
o “I must model a challenging pace to be a good example for those watching me.” What happens when they are not watching me?
o The Should vs Could voices in our heads – “Should” pushes guilt and “Could” opens opportunity to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’.
o The ‘Messiah complex’ – “Apart from me nothing will get done.” “Your job is to represent the Messiah, not be the Messiah!” Donald Barnhouse
o “These are my disciples–my people, and they need / want / deserve me, not someone else.” You’re really not that important?
o “The Good Leader Syndrome” – adopting someone else’s pace, especially your heroes or your leaders.
o Climbing the organizational ladder for more power / influence – “My performance determines my future, therefore, I will put in more hours, volunteer for all duties, and be sure to quietly remind others of my sacrifice for the cause/team.”
o Lack of moral courage – “Everyone else is doing it, so I must do it too.”
o Self-martyrdom – “I can get by on less,” “I’m the exception,” or “I’ll be back to ‘normal’ soon.”

All of these lies lead to a ‘crash and burn’ ending that is not pretty. Whether we are burning ourselves out, wrecking our marriage, ignoring our children or driving those we lead to exhaustion – all is dishonoring to God. It is not honoring to Jesus or the cause of Jesus to associate Him with our own failings. That reality should stop us in our tracks and end the folly.

“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” Colossians 3:23 NLT

Posted in #1 KNOW- How a Leader Thinks and tagged , , , , , , , , , ,
30 Jun 2025

Living and Leading at a Sustainable Pace – 1

The apostles returned to Jesus from their ministry tour and told him all they had done and taught. Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat. So they left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone. Mark 6:30-32 NLT

Many leaders are chosen to lead because they have a history of getting things done. Goals, deliverables, outcomes are all a part of a leader’s vocabulary and part of their leadership psyche. But I wonder how many Kingdom leaders would have ‘rest’ as a part of their leadership vocabulary?

Now let’s be clear – we are not suggesting that leaders should model or accommodate laziness or lack of anything less than your best. But, in striving to give our best we can move to a striving to prove our worth to God and others or finding our self-worth in our accomplishments. Reproduction and fruitfulness should be a part of a Kingdom leaders’ worldview, but not for our personal value or ego. We seek impact for the glory of God, not our own glory.

Busyness is not bad in and of itself. Leaders are busy people. But in our busy lives are we living and leading at a pace that is sustainable for the long term? We are not drawing a false dichotomy between ‘rusting out for Jesus’ or ‘flaming out for Jesus.’ Neither of these seems God-honoring. What seems to be a biblical pattern is a regular day for rest (Sabbath) and a period of time away for the leadership demands after intense times of ministry (see Mark 6 above). The demands of the work will still be there when you return from your time away. You’ll be better able to serve those you lead after getting some rest.

As a younger leader I was given some great advice that has served me well for many decades. “A mark of maturity is being able to live with unfinished tasks.” The To-Do List is never-ending for leaders. Put in a good days work and lay down at night knowing you have done your best for this day. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:34 ESV

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

Post Navigation

← Older Entries