Developing Kingdom Leaders – Tom Yeakley

Taking the Mystery out of Leadership

Archive for the tag “leader development”

11 Mar 2024

Leading with Courage

It would seem that courage is a basic character necessity for Kingdom leaders, especially when facing real threats. Courage is a ‘being word’ – an inner quality that manifests in courageous acts. God exhorts Joshua to be bold and courageous (see Joshua 1) and Paul reminds Timothy of the reality of the Holy Spirit being within him, “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 NIV

We see Peter and John demonstrating so much courage that those authorities threatening them take note. “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 4:13 NIV Elsewhere in the New Testament we see it being asked for, prayed for and about, and certainly demonstrated.

The word means: freedom in speaking, unreservedness in speech; free and fearless confidence, cheerful courage, boldness, assurance; the deportment by which one becomes conspicuous or secures publicity.

Here are some of its usages in the New Testament:

  • John 7:13, 26 ESV – Yet for fear of the Jews no one spoke openly of him. … And here he is, speaking openly, and they say nothing to him! Can it be that the authorities really know that this is the Christ?
  • Acts 4:29 ESV – And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness…
  • 2 Corinthians 3:12 ESV – Since we have such a hope, we are very bold…
  • Ephesians 3:12 ESV – … in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.
  • Philippians 1:20 ESV – … as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.
  • Hebrews 4:16 ESV – Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
  • Hebrews 10:35 ESV – Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.
  • 1 John 5:14 ESV – And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.

The days demand men and women leaders who courageously lead into the storms of life. Yes, the threats are real. Yes, there are potentially very difficult consequences. But we remember the Lord’s words in John 16:33 (NIV), “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.”

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26 Feb 2024

How to Empower Leaders

When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. Luke 9:1-2 NIV

One of the main responsibilities of leaders, especially senior leaders, is to empower those who they lead. But what does that look like and how will those reporting to you know they are empowered? Let’s look at this from an incident in Jesus’ training of the Twelve.

From the sending of the Twelve in pairs on a short-term mission assignment, we note that “he sent them out…to proclaim the kingdom of God and heal the sick.” The disciples were sent with a very clear job to do – proclaim the kingdom of God and heal the sick. One of the foundational items needed for empowerment is a clear job description. Those we lead need to know what exactly is it that they are to do. What is the outcome or goal of my contribution? As their leader, you need to define this for them or perhaps, in conjunction with them. Don’t leave them guessing if they are doing the right thing. 

Jesus also gave them “power and authority” to carry out their job of proclamation and healing – the spiritually sick as well as the physically sick. Nothing frustrates direct reports more than being given a job to do but lacking the authority or resources to accomplish it. More bricks, no straw! 

Jesus did not ‘micro-manage them in telling them how to exercise the power and authority given them. Rather, He specified the outcome – ‘heal’ and let them determine the how. No doubt they did what they saw Jesus do as he modeled for them before sending them out on independent assignment. 

Once the mission was completed, they regathered at a time and location no doubt predetermined before they were sent. They debriefed their experiences with Jesus (see Mark 6:30). Note that the Twelve did not have to check back with Jesus after they were sent until they once again regrouped. They were released and empowered to act on their own initiative. Yes, they did have restrictions – the villages of Galilee only – but otherwise they were free to roam. Did they go to familiar places or venture off into corners of Galilee that were unfamiliar? 

Do those you lead have the power and authority to do their jobs? It may be a good time to ask them if they have all they need to do what they have been asked to do. 

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12 Feb 2024

What Do Senior Leaders Do?

Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else–to the nearby villages–so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” Mark 1:36-38 NIV

Note the expectations placed upon Jesus by His followers – “Everyone is looking for you!” In other words, “What are you doing out here away from the gathering crowd back at our front door? There are a lot of people that need your help.” They expected Him to continue what He had done the night before – a great healing ministry that went late. But He had to correct their assumptions as to His purpose and the direction of His ministry. 

Jesus replied with a new direction, “Let’s go somewhere else” and a new purpose, “…so I can preach there also.” He explained His motive for doing so was His personal mission, “That is why I have come.” 

Kingdom leaders, especially senior leaders, are often pressured to act by the expectations of those they lead. It can be risky to disappoint them if you don’t do what they expect of you. You must be very clear on what your contributions are as their leader, anchored in the mission, and do not wavier. 

Here are four primary contributions for senior leaders:

  1. Set and maintain direction – Your direction flows out of your mission and vision statements. Once set, do not let your focus drift or be distracted by ‘shiny objects’ that appear. Stay on target!
  2. Set the tone – What and how you interact and make decisions will set a tone for the entire work. You want an environment that is attractive, where people thrive under your leadership, not survive your leadership.
  3. Align resources to the direction – Because there are always more opportunities than resources, you will have to make choices to put limited resources (people, money) towards best opportunity (most important, most strategic opportunity). This means saying ‘no’ to other great opportunities and perhaps disappointing people who are vested in those. Allow other leaders to help with the alignment choices for more ownership. 
  4. Empower leaders to lead in the agreed upon direction – Get out of the way! Delegate and give others authority to lead without checking with you first. If you can’t trust them and their decisions, then you probably have the wrong leaders. You’re really not that important!

Finally, we note that Jesus did go to the surrounding villages in Galilee, but He and the disciples returned to Capernaum a ‘few days later’ (see Mark 2:1). He was not uncompassionate to those who needed His help. He returned, but it would be after He made a short trip to some other villages having taken advantage of the moment to clarify His purpose and the direction of His work. 

Keep your eye on the ball!

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31 Jul 2023

The Scope of the Mission – Bifocal Vision

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 NIV

For some Kingdom leaders the immediate and close up can be consuming for all of our attention and screaming for more. But we cannot be true to the Scriptures and only concentrate on our local task and ignoring the masses around the world who have yet to hear. It is not enough to say that God loves them, and He will get them the message of the Gospel with or without my help – as was said to William Carey by the spiritual leaders around him in 1790’s.

No, the Word of God demands that we faithfully execute our leadership locally in light of the Great Commission needs globally. Yes, we begin in our ‘Jerusalem’ but always with a vision to impact the ‘ends of the earth.’ It’s a bifocal vision – act locally but see globally!

So much energy is called for in our local responsibilities that it can be hard to stay current with the progress of world evangelization. That’s why a great website like Joshua Project can be helpful in keeping our heads up and eyes trained on the harvest fields of the world.

The unreached peoples of the world remain to be reached by those who know, give, and go. And though every new biological generation must be re-reached for Christ, some peoples of the world don’t not have easy access to the Gospel.  Many of these unreached peoples are in cultures predominated by Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, belief systems that are strongholds of resistance to the Gospel. In sending new workers into these harvest fields, it will require long-term, sustained presence and effort for lasting impact.

May we all be faithful to execute our local leadership responsibilities, but not neglect those isolated and marginalized from the Gospel message that has been entrusted to us.

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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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03 Jul 2023

Trapped in Our Past

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV

It has been said, “You can’t drive ahead by focusing your eyes on the rear-view mirror!”

Some Kingdom leaders are so wrapped up in their personal past that they can’t see the new thing that God is doing right in front of them. They are trapped in their past conflicts, hurts, failures, and disappointments and fail to see how God is going before them opening new pathways for them to walk.

Notice God’s admonition above – Forget it! Let it go! Stop spending your emotional energy on it! For the more you dwell upon your past problems it can take root in your life and defile you with bitterness.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Ephesians 4:31 NIV

See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. Hebrews 12:15 NIV

God exhorts us to “see” – He is “doing a new thing!” It is springing up right in front of you! Look ahead, not behind! “Don’t you perceive it?”

In what appears to be wilderness or wasteland in front of you, God is already there making a way in the wilderness and creating streams in the wasteland to turn it into a fruitful, productive land. You just have to obey, follow Him, and occupy the land. He has you and your future in hand.

I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. Isaiah 42:16 NIV

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26 Jun 2023

Wholehearted Obedience

Amaziah was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years. … He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, but not wholeheartedly. 2 Chronicles 25:1-2 NIV

Beware of half-hearted obedience! You may be compliant on the outside, but your hearts are far from what the Lord desires. Jesus rebuked the Jewish leaders for their hypocrisy, ” ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.'” Matthew 15:8-9 NIV

Obedience to God is a matter first of our hearts and then our actions. These two must be aligned for wholehearted obedience instead of half-hearted obedience.

Amaziah was a king of conflicting values. There were times during his leadership when he obeyed God. Yet, there were other times when he rebelled and disobeyed. Thus, the author of 2 Chronicles says of him, ‘he did what was right, but not wholeheartedly.’

The word ‘mediocre’ comes from two Latin roots which literally means, ‘half-way up the mountain.’ A half-hearted obedience is one sets off for the summit, but settles for half-way to the top!

Is your leadership ‘mediocre?’ Have you settled for half-way to the summit?

Do you find yourself struggling with wholehearted obedience to God?

It’s never too late to change your heart and obey wholeheartedly the direction the Lord has given.

Do it today!

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19 Jun 2023

Beware of Lighting Your Own Fires

Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the word of his servant? Let the one who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on their God. 11 But now, all you who light fires and provide yourselves with flaming torches, go, walk in the light of your fires and of the torches you have set ablaze. This is what you shall receive from my hand: You will lie down in torment. Isaiah 50:10-11 NIV

All Kingdom leaders have times when they do not know what to do, how to do it, or when to execute it. When leaders arrive at these pivotal moments they have a choice to make. They can choose to trust in the Lord and rely upon God to show them the way forward or they can trust in their own thinking/logic/experience and reap the consequence.

Those who trust in God and obey Him will not be forsaken or forgotten. He will lead you forward – in His way and in His time. Note what He promises in Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT) : 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. He will show you the path to take! Count on it!

But this promise comes with a caution to ‘not depend upon your own understanding.’ The word ‘depend’ or in the NIV it says, ‘lean upon,’ means to place your full weight for support in it. Thus, as we seek the path to take we don’t use our logic/experience alone to find the way forward. Don’t put your full weight upon this for God’s ways are often different for our ways. See Isaiah 55:8-9. Use your mind, but don’t rely solely upon it! Those who do trust in themselves, who ‘walk in the light of their own fires’ will reap the consequences. The law of the harvest cannot be avoided – we reap what we sow.

What choices are you facing today? What light do you have from the Lord? Are you obediently following?

What light are you creating by setting your own torches ablaze? Are you willing to forsake your own self-created light and repent in order to follow Him?

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