Developing Kingdom Leaders – Tom Yeakley

Taking the Mystery out of Leadership

Archive for the tag “Leadership”

01 Dec 2025

Greatness and the Servant Leader

But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:25-28 ESV

The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Matthew 23:11-12 ESV

Note the context of both of these teachings about greatness in the Kingdom.

In Matthew 20 the two Zebedee brothers, James and John, made a preemptive power move involving their mother’s request to sit on Jesus’ right and left when He takes the throne of His Kingdom. Assuming this would be soon, these two positions would be numbers 2 and 3 in authority and power in the new Kingdom. This self-promotion at the expense of the other 10 apostles did not sit well. They became indignant with this ‘all for me, none for thee’ attitude of the two brothers. Not a good way to build trust with your comrades.

Jesus did not rebuke the brothers for their request. Rather, He simply said that those seats were designated for others.

The second context was in a rebuke of the Jewish religious leaders who loved the trappings of their leadership but were not applying what they taught personally. Position, title, and influence were what they desired rather than serving others.

Both lessons contain the same teaching – greatness in the Kingdom of God is found through becoming a servant. Note that Jesus does not say, “Greatness is found in serving.” Rather, greatness is found in becoming a servant. The issue is one of primary identity. Servant leaders have found their identity is being (becoming) a servant who expresses that identity as a leader who serves others. It is identity first, then the actions/behavior of serving flows from that primary identity.

So, don’t pursue greatness. Pursue becoming a servant and that humility will lead to greatness with leadership influence in the Kingdom.

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03 Nov 2025

All Who Are Weary

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30 ESV

Kingdom leaders, as with all leadership roles, live full, busy lives. We are constantly having to choose between the good, better, and best things to allow into our jammed schedules. We know we should schedule with margin, but even when we do, those margins are often sacrificed for dealing with the latest crisis du jour. We compliment ourselves for having the margin available to deal with these urgent issues, but neglect the fact that margin was removed that was originally set aside for relaxation, thinking, exercise, or fun.

The habitual neglect of margin leads to laboring with a heavy load – like trying to run a race with a backpack of rocks strapped onto us. We grow weary. Life and leadership become a burden, and joy is replaced with quick-tempered responses and a ‘woe is me’ attitude.

Note how Jesus addresses this. “Come to me,” He says, “and I will give you rest.” That sounds attractive, doesn’t it? But we might not expect what follows. “Take my yoke upon you.” What? I was expecting an invitation to an extended holiday away. Maybe a beach vacation or at least a long weekend break. Instead He invites us to continue to work, but now we are yoked to Him. He is sharing the leadership yoke, and we find He is carrying the load. His yoke is easy and His burden light.

He concludes with this – if we yoke up with Him, we will find rest for our souls. This is where the burden of Kingdom leadership resides – within our souls. Here is where we carry our gut-wrenching leadership decisions that eat away our joy and rot our bones. He promises to shoulder those issues with us, and we will find peace and rest – true rest for our souls.

The invitation stands – Are you weary and weighed down by life and leadership demands? Lay down your efforts and pick up His yoke. You’ll find a great fit and He will carry the load you have struggled with. He is faithful and true!

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20 Oct 2025

Doing Good

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, … 8 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. … 14 And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful. Titus 3:1, 8, 14 ESV (italics added)

Note how three times in this short chapter Paul reminds Titus to ‘remind,’ ‘insist’ and help those he is leading in Crete to ‘learn to do good to others.’ These good works were to be done out of obedience to Christ as they submit to rulers and authorities and help others who are in ‘urgent need.’

We note that Luke summarizes Jesus ministry in Acts 10:38 ESV – “… how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.” We observe that the good Jesus did was the result of his anointing with the Holy Spirit and with power. These works were not simple courtesies like holding open a door for another or picking up after yourself (and others) on a camping trip. They required power from on High!

In Galatians 6:9 ESV we read: “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” These good works require perseverance and endurance. They will be tiresome and draining on our leadership. 2 Thessalonians 3:13 ESV says something similar: “As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.”

In 1 Peter 2:15 ESV we observe that doing good to others is a form of witnessing to them. “For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.” When returning good to those who intend evil against us, we live the life of Christ, and it silences their accusations. And in 1 Peter 4:19 ESV, Peter summarizes the process of doing good to others with: “Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.” If we are called to suffer for doing good, so be it.

We do good to others, even those who mistreat or oppose us, because that is Christlike. He suffered and died for us and for those who plotted against Him. We do not seek to earn favor with God by our deeds, but rather, as His disciples, we seek to imitate His example. We thoughtfully lead those entrusted to our care to be ready to do good to others for Christ and His Kingdom, not for us or our organization.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10 ESV

“Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. … For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.” 1 Peter 2:12, 15 NIV

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06 Oct 2025

Responding to Tragedy

To comment or not to comment? That is the question? When historical events happen around us, leadership has a decision to comment on such or not? We consider that we are setting precedent that will have to be addressed again in the future, no doubt, as unforeseen tragedies will again occur. We must remind our staff that their personal social media accounts are linked to the organization, not just to them personally. We must be wise in what we say or don’t say – we will be quoted – yes, even our silence!

  • How to respond to a tragedy?

Ephesians 5:15-16  –  Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

  • Because the days are evil….. don’t be surprised that the world hates you  –  John 15:18-19  –  “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.
  • Because the days are evil….. expect to suffer for Christ –   1 Peter 4:16 – However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.
  • Because the days are evil….. be very careful for our adversary is not flesh and blood, but evil forces in high places  –  Ephesians 6:11-12 – Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
  • Because the days are evil….. be wise –  Matthew 10:16  –  I am sending you out like sheep among wolves.  Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
  • Because the days are evil….. build your house on the rock – Matthew 7:24-25  –  “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 
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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!

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08 Sep 2025

Entangled

And they said to him, “By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?” Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. … So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.” Mark 11:28-29, 33 ESV

The opposition was trying to trap Jesus with this question about His authority to act as He was doing. Note how Jesus answered their question with a question. He told them that if they answered His question first, exposing their unbelief and duplicity, then He would answer their question. They discussed it and refused to give Him an answer. He, being true to His word, also refused to answer their question.

Leaders sometimes are asked questions, often in a public setting, which can be difficult to answer succinctly or without a longer explanation for clarity. Knowing your answer will be quoted by others, sometimes it is best not to answer. A simple, “I’m not sure I have an answer for that,” or “I’ll need to think about that some more” can be sufficient for the moment. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you also must have an answer because you are the leader.

Prudence and discernment can help in determining the motive behind the question and whether it is worthy of a response. Some Kingdom leaders get baited into public opinions they really don’t want to be quoted on. Questions related to politics, social justice, opinions and actions of others, or current news items that have little bearing on the Kingdom or your personal mission are best avoided. An answer like, “I don’t have a public opinion about that,” can silence the curious.

Social media or email is easily forwarded or edited by those who would do harm to the advance of the gospel or tarnish your reputation for evil purposes. Think before you hit the send button. Respond, don’t react. Let emotions settle before you reply. You don’t have to always give an answer. Don’t get baited into a side-issue confrontation that takes you away from your God-given mission. History is replete with many Kingdom leaders who became entangled in other issues.

Remember Paul’s exhortation to Timothy, “No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him.” NASB20

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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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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

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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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