Developing Kingdom Leaders – Tom Yeakley

Taking the Mystery out of Leadership

Archive for the tag “leader development”

11 Aug 2025

Get Some Rest

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 6:31-32 NLT

Note how after a heavy period of ministry the Twelve regathered with Jesus and reported to Him what had happened and all they did during their short-term ministry assignment in pairs. Jesus listened and realized that the current local demands would not allow them to take a much-needed break. They needed some alone time to recharge their ‘ministry batteries.’

So, at Jesus’ initiative, they separated themselves from the immediate demands to get some quiet and rest. All Kingdom leaders need times of rest, reflection, and restoration. Jesus set the pattern for all who would follow. There are times of ‘push’ and times of ‘pull back.’

With this context, I’ll be taking the month of August to ‘pull back’ from writing this bi-weekly blog. Trusting that you also will be arranging your schedule for periods of rest weekly, quarterly, and annually. There is no glory in ‘flaming out for Jesus.’ Be a good steward of your time and ministry and aim for a long-term, sustainable pace to make your contribution to advancing the Kingdom.

See you in September 2025!

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28 Jul 2025

Trusting Others

In Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT we read, “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.”  Before we can trust people, we must trust in the Lord and His good and perfect plans for me and for us all.  People will constantly be giving us reasons not to trust them deeply, but if God reigns over all, I can forgive others quickly and move forward without being derailed by bitterness or a critical spirit.

But you say, “Yes, I do trust God deeply because He is good, sinless, and loves me unconditionally.  But that’s not true of people who are often looking out for their own good, do sin against me, and tend to love me only when I do what they approve of.”  I agree.  People can be hard to trust because trust is both given and earned.  And when trust is eroded due to untrustworthy behavior, it can be hard to trust again.  Forgiveness of those who wrong me is key to my freedom from bitterness.

Jesus addressed this when Peter asked Him about forgiving those who wronged him.  In Matthew 18:21-22 NLT we see, “Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”  “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!” 

As we co-labor, we will often find others who act in ways that further their personal purposes without thinking about the broader impact on other co-laborers or our organization as a whole.  They may be very convinced about a certain way of ministry to accomplish our mission and vision that is different from yours.  These differences can cause a lack of trust and lead to judgmental attitudes and critical spirits.  Soon, factions and divisions form and trust is lost.

When moving to Indonesia many years ago, we were trained in the saying, “Not wrong, just different.”  Exposure to new cross-cultural norms could cause us to be condemning and critical of the host culture we were trying to impact for Christ.  Better to withhold judgement, be slow to speak and quick to listen, and remember that ‘wisdom is justified by all her children’ (see Luke 7:35).  More exposure and understanding can help us avoid a condemning attitude.

So, rather than presuming that ‘different’ is ‘wrong,’ ask questions with phrases like, “I see this, can you please help me understand…” Don’t presume motives or ignorance until you understand the new context better.  Position yourself as a learner to the new context and ask questions to gain better understanding.  Seek to understand rather than be understood.  Gaining a better understanding often clarifies the “why.”

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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

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19 May 2025

Responding to Praise

Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but a person is tested by being praised. Proverbs 27:21 NLT

When a leader is younger and inexperienced they sense their inadequacy and their personal prayer life is intensified. They cry out to God for help and His anointing for the tasks ahead and freely admit their own vulnerabilities. God hears their requests and answers above and beyond what they had hoped for. And then the test comes.

As the writer of this proverb states, one is tested by being praised. How you receive the accolades that come when you succeed will determine what comes next. The principle of Luke 16:10 is true – if you are faithful in little, you will be trusted with much. But, if you take credit for your success, do not admit that it was your leadership team’s effort that brought the results, of somehow steal the spotlight from God and put it upon yourself, you will pay a price.

Abraham Lincoln said, “Anyone can handle adversity; it’s success that’s the true test of a man.” And this taking credit for yourself can be very subtle. Your too smart to do it overtly; but when praise comes your heart swells with a secret arrogance that says, “Look what I did! Yes, you have identified the right person for this praise. Now everyone will know that I’m a great leader.” Oh, it is so subtle!

Be careful! Be very, very careful! For God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. If God is opposing (actively working against) you, the outcome is not in doubt.

Proverbs 29:23 NLT says, ‘Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor.’

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05 May 2025

Taking Advice

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. Proverbs 12:15 ESV

By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom. Proverbs 13:10 ESV

One does not have to be in leadership for long before you encounter a decision or situation that is beyond your experience or ability to discern a way forward. Thus, those on your leadership team are vital for you to move forward in your mission, if you listen to their counsel. The wise leader selects wise team members and then listens to their advice.

But often leaders don’t heed the advice of those on their team. Yes, they will ‘listen’ but they won’t apply the advice given. Personal desires, personal insecurities, and pride all combine to make a leader unteachable and unwilling to follow the advice of those closest to them. They push through their agendas and the result is often disaster!

Does that mean that the best approach is a consensus decision-making model? If so, what kind of consensus? 100% consensus must agree or the decision is, no? This can lead to a tyranny of the minority. Or is a ‘super majority’ of 80% better (wiser)? Perhaps, but maybe the team is in an ‘echo chamber’ with little objectivity? What to do?

We’ve now moved from the ‘science’ of leading to the ‘art’ of leadership. Kingdom leaders are leading with a team of others who all have the Holy Spirit within. It seems that the best model is a leader and a team, not team leadership, with all team members seeking the Spirit to guide and direct their decisions. Decisions need not be 100% consensus, but those not in agreement must be listened to and taken seriously rather than dismissed out of hand for their contrarian views. Then, once the decision is made, the leadership team moves forward with one voice.

Wise leaders listen to the counsel and advice of others and freely admit they do not have the wisdom needed for all decisions and situations. Listen to your team members!

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21 Apr 2025

There’s Still Much to Do

Now Joshua was old and advanced in years, and the LORD said to him, “You are old and advanced in years, and there remains yet very much land to possess. Joshua 13:1 ESV

It had been quite the life for Joshua! He had apprenticed under Moses for 40+ years, most of those spent in the desert as God led Israel’s wanderings until they finally reached the east side of the Jordan River. Here his mentor, Moses, died and Joshua was commissioned by God to take his place.

After finishing the mourning period for Moses, the nation moved out, miraculously crossing the Jordan at flood stage just as Moses had led Israel through the Red Sea. They conquered Jericho with a shout and then learned major lessons through the defeat at Ai and the deception of the Gibeonites. Then came the campaign to occupy the land promised to Abraham, renewed to Moses, and now realized by Joshua.

Caleb’s life story gives us a great overview of the entire process. He says to Joshua in 14:7, “I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land, and I brought him word again as it was in my heart.” Then he follows with vs. 10, “And now, behold, the LORD has kept me alive, just as he said, these forty-five years since the time that the LORD spoke this word to Moses, while Israel walked in the wilderness. And now, behold, I am this day eighty-five years old.” It had been 45 years since the spies had viewed the land – 40 years of desert wanderings and 5 years of warfare to occupy the major cities and subdue their kings.

The promise still had to be acted upon – yes, the cities had been conquered, but there remained the towns and villages and the coastal cities to the west. As the Lord had said, “there remains much land to possess.’ The journey of faith is one where we must act upon what God has promised. Yes, we plead His promises and ‘claim’ their fulfillment, but we still must act in faith to ‘possess the land.’

We must share the gospel with the lost, disciple those who are young in the faith, and equip disciples to become disciplemakers that we might ‘possess’ the third and fourth spiritual generations from our efforts. May we see the Lord going before us as we step out in faith trusting His faithfulness to His promises.

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07 Apr 2025
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Big Shoes to Fill

After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. Joshua 1:1-2 ESV

How would you like to be the one chosen to lead after Moses? Talk about a challenge! Oh, my!

God clarifies His calling to Joshua by reminding him that Moses is dead! It’s time for you to lead now! So be strong and courageous and ‘put on your big boy pants’ because it’s time to occupy the land I promised you all forty years ago. Let’s get moving!

And then notice the first leadership challenge Joshua faces – they must cross the Jordan River. But there’s a problem – it’s in flood stage. I’d guess Joshua is wondering about the Lord’s timing in it all. Why now? Why not wait a little for the water level to recede and we walk across the shallows like normal. Why move out when it’s flooding? But Joshua told the people to make ready to break camp and cross over. “When you see the priests carrying the ark, follow them,” he said. And we know what happened – God stopped the flow of the river upstream and all Israel walked across the riverbed on dry ground!

The Lord knew that it would be difficult for the people to follow Joshua’s leadership having served under Moses’ guidance for 40 years. The people knew Moses talked with God personally, but what about Joshua? “The LORD said to Joshua, ‘Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you.'” (Joshua 3:7) God was setting up Joshua’s authority to lead by using the crisis of crossing the flood staged river as a means to establish his leadership.

When Kingdom leaders assume new roles, especially if you are following a ‘rock star,’ count on the fact that God has your back. He knows that people will have a tough time transitioning their trust to you as the new leader. Thus, He will create opportunities for you to gain their trust and confidence in your leadership. But remember, this process of transferring trust to you will often come cleverly disguised as a major crisis! Don’t shrink back from it. Engage with it and watch God do what only He can do as He establishes you to lead.

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24 Mar 2025

Leading from Fear or Faith?

He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” Mark 4:40 ESV
But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8 ESV

Kingdom leadership demands a reliance upon the faithfulness and power of God, rather than self. As we have noted, fear is not condemned for it is a God-given emotion. But when our behavior is controlled by fear instead of faith in God then we are on dangerous ground.

The word is only used three times in the NT, twice in the synoptic gospels (Matthew and Mark) in describing Jesus calming the storm and His rebuke for their lack of trust in Him. The third use is found in Revelation 21, and we note that it leads the list of characteristics of those who will experience the ‘fiery lake of burning sulfur… the second death.’

The inclusion of cowardice in the Revelation 21 list at first glance may appear out of place. Certainly John did not mean to equate murderers or idolaters with the cowardly, did He? Yes, He did! For those controlled by fear trust their own abilities and resources to protect themselves and seek their own safety. Kingdom leadership is casting off from the safety of the known into threatening unknown because Jesus said to. It is obeying Him with our whole heart, not just when it’s easy or convenient.

The Lord launches Joshua into his new leadership role with this exhortation (Joshua 1:6-7 ESV): Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.

May we all be courageous leaders who lead from faith, not fear, confident in the truth that the Lord is faithful to His promises.

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24 Feb 2025

Imitating the Faith of Others

And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Hebrews 6:11-12 ESV

Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Hebrews 13:7 ESV

Twice the author of Hebrews points us to the intentional imitation of others. Of course, we are to imitate Christ above all, but the imitation of other people is somewhat unique. Who and what are we to imitate when it comes to following the examples of others?

The first passage in Hebrews 6 exhorts us to become imitators of those who model faith and patience in their discipleship. Their lives are marked by the fulfillment of promises made by God to them. These people are worthy of imitation. No, they are not perfect people – no one is. But they exhibit a life that is different from other believers.

They model a lifestyle of trust in God and a rest in His sovereign timing for all things that challenges our own. They boldly demonstrate confidence in God when there is little visible to be confident in. And their confidence is rooted in the promises of God found in the Scriptures. They know that the promises are backed by the Promiser who is all powerful and always faithful to His Word, for He cannot lie.

The second passage points us to imitate those spiritual leaders who spoke the Word of God to us. We are to reflect upon their lives and the outcomes of their ways. And then, after this thoughtful reflection, we are to imitate their faith. Note that we are not told to imitate their speaking or teaching style or even their example of leadership. We are told to imitate their faith!

Kingdom leaders will often have opportunities to lead others into trials of faith. Your God-confidence will strengthen the resolve of those who follow. Your faith will be imitated by others who watch how you address each succeeding wave that buffets you. Your resolve not to compromise or shrink back, not because of your own strength, but by God’s grace and strength will be transformative to those who are imitating you.

Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame. Isaiah 50:7 NIV

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10 Feb 2025

One Blessing After Another – Really?

John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.'” From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. John 1:15-16 NLT

In John’s opening words of his record of the ministry of Jesus he makes a summary statement regarding the life of a disciple of Jesus – “… We have all received one gracious blessing after another.” One blessing after another? Really? Let’s note the context of this proclamation.

In the previous verse, John reminds us of the life and ministry of John the Baptist who came to prepare the way for Jesus. He was faithful to fulfill his mission, yet in doing so, was imprisoned by King Herod and ultimately beheaded as Herod reluctantly granted the vengeful request of his daughter. Imprisonment and beheading do not, at first glance, appear to be ‘one blessing after another.’

Or take the Apostle John’s own example. History tells us that he wrote this gospel account while in exile on the island of Patmos where he spent many years. He had seen his brother, James, beheaded by Herod years previously and now had spent years in exile due to his faith (see Revelation 1:9).

And yet, John affirms that we have all received one gracious blessing after another. How can he make this statement given the reality of life? And the question, we find the answer – the reality of life!

For this life on earth is short-lived. We are foreigners and nomads on this earth, fulfilling our numbered days until such time as our purpose is fulfilled and we then fall asleep (see Hebrews 11:13; Acts 13:36). Paul’s perspective was that the trials we face in this life are nothing when compared to what awaits us after we die. “Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.” Romans 8:18 NLT

And finally, it is a ‘gracious blessing’ – literally ‘one grace upon another’ for our Heavenly Father does not give us what we deserve, but because of His love and grace we obtain blessing through the sacrifice of His Son for us. Therefore, when the trials of your leadership seem overwhelming, you will find His gracious blessing in the midst of it, should you even be called to end your race, for He is faithful.

Keep your gaze heavenward and you will rise above the turmoil of life.

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