Developing Kingdom Leaders – Tom Yeakley

Taking the Mystery out of Leadership

Archive for the tag “leadership thinking”

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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10 Mar 2025
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Leading with the Long-Term View

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. … Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.” Revelation 2:1, 4-6 NIV

John writes about the revelation shown him regarding the present and the future towards the end of his life, probably around 90 AD. He had been exiled to the island of Patmos off of what is known today as the western coast of Turkey. And in this revelation, the Lord has some instructions and exhortations for seven churches in the province of Asia – western Turkey.

Note that Paul and friends had invested much in Ephesus some 40 or so years earlier. Paul left Aquila and Priscilla in Ephesus at the end of his second tour, spent over 2 years there on the third tour, and left Timothy to lead the church while he was imprisoned. Yet now, with such good foundations laid, Jesus’ assessment is that they have ‘fallen from a great height’ and ‘left your first love.’ Tragic!

Good beginnings do not necessarily ensure good long-term, sustainable outcomes. The church at Ephesus had taken their eye off of the ball – focusing on something else other than the simplicity of Jesus. They had lost attachment to the true vine (see John 15) and now were in danger of being removed by the Lord. The call was to repentance and doing what they had done at first when they had come to know Him.

The church at Ephesus started well, but within a few decades was struggling to maintain its primary focus and resulting influence for Christ. As we labor and lead others, let’s remember that we are seeking lasting impact by changing the lives of individuals who will change the world. Ministries will come and ministries will go. Keep the long-term view by maintaining a short-term focus on Jesus and what you did when you first came to know Him.

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

Protection from Error

Jesus replied, “Your mistake is that you don’t know the Scriptures, and you don’t know the power of God. Mark 12:24 NLT

Watch out! … And now I entrust you to God and the message of his grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself. Acts 20:31-32 NLT

Note the context of Mark 12:24 was Jesus being questioned by the Sadducees regarding the resurrection. Their belief was that there was no resurrection of the dead. Jesus corrects their error by pointing out their two fundamental flaws – they do not know the Word of God and they do not know the power of God.

Paul, when leaving the Ephesian church leaders with a final charge warned them to, “Watch out!” There would be those who would seek to lead them and the believers astray. Paul himself would not be around to protect them from errors; thus, he entrusts their protection to the same resources Jesus mentioned, knowledge of God and His Word.

The more we know the character of God, the more Kingdom leaders will be able to serve the flock of God under our care. Knowing God’s character and ways will enable us to recognize falsehood and point those we lead to the truth in His Word anchored in God’s nature. And knowing the Word of God, the Bible, allows us to instruct and mentor others in the ways of righteousness that align with His character.

As we begin this new year, join with me in renewing your focus on building depth in the knowledge of God and His Word. Commit your personal development time this year to a renewed focus on knowing more intimately the character of God and the study of His Word to address the pressing issues of our times. Many are looking for answers, finding few who can point the way.

May we all become like the men of Issachar described in 1 Chronicles 12:32 (NIV), “… men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do–200 chiefs, with all their relatives under their command.”

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30 Dec 2024

Launching the New Year!

2024 has ended and now we launch 2025!  As we end one and begin a new calendar year, it’s good to pause and reflect upon what was and what we hope will be.  It is through reflection that we can gain perspective and see more clearly the overarching, God-orchestrated, macro-movements of our lives.

Leaders are often too busy to stop and reflect.  We always have more things to do and people to see.  We take one item off the do-list and add three more!  Who has time to stop and think?

Today…..now is the time to stop and reflect upon who you are becoming and what you are doing!  Your personal diary, journal or devotional notebook can be of great help to you as you look back and observe themes or topics the Lord has been addressing in you.  Here are some questions to get you started in this reflection time.

Are you satisfied with your own personal spiritual walk and growth?  More importantly, is Jesus pleased with your pursuit of Him?  How’s your current pace of life?  Is it sustainable long-term?  Do you have a margin in your schedule?  Are you living and leading from an overflow?  How’s your family doing?  Are you paying the price to experience the marriage you committed to on your wedding day?  Are you investing deeply in your children and grandchildren, knowing that the years for significant influence are rapidly passing you by?

What fears are you trying to ignore related to your leadership?  Are you leading with faith and courage?  Are you more concerned about your reputation or God’s glory?  Is the vision of where you are leading to focused or foggy?  Do you have a team that is unified and empowered around a shared vision?  Are you making progress in the God-given mission that you intended to accomplish?

These and many more questions are helpful for taking stock of where you are today and where you intend to be/go tomorrow.  Use this season for reflection and refocus as you start a new year full of new hope and new beginnings.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.    Hebrews 12:1-2  NIV

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2025!

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16 Dec 2024
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Dealing with the Unexpected

I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. Philippians 1:12-13 ESV

If there ever was someone who had the ‘right’ to adopt a ‘woe is me – victimhood’ mentality it would be Paul. But he did not. Rather, he adjusted his perspective to a Kingdom one instead of a personal perspective. And that made all the difference!

At the time of writing the Philippian letter, Paul was in Rome under house arrest for two years, chained to a Roman guard continually. Two years earlier he was arrested in Jerusalem and falsely accused of bringing a Gentile into the Temple area and defiling it. He was plotted against by the Jewish leaders, given a sham trial, left to rot in prison because he refused to bribe his way out, sent under guard to Rome, shipwrecked in Malta and eventually placed under house arrest in Rome waiting for his trial.

All of this was no ‘fault’ of his own – he had done nothing deserving years of imprisonment. Yet, we do not see him complaining or questioning God as to, “Why me?” He was able to lift his eyes and mind off of himself and see a bigger purpose in all that was happening (see Hebrews 3:1 and 12:1-2). He entrusted himself to the One who was sovereign and good over all that happens, knowing that Jesus said, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:29-31 ESV

All of us deal with the unexpected, unjust, and unfair things in life. Let’s strive to keep an eternal, Kingdom perspective rather than a worldly, temporal one.

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18 Nov 2024

Do Not Be Afraid

While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?” Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” Mark 5:35-36 NIV

Jairus, a synagogue leader, had left his sick daughter at home to seek help from the healer – Jesus. He must have known how serious her condition was and that her recovery was tenuous at best. And now, having recruited help from the One who would heal his daughter, he was returning with Him to his dying daughter. But along the way, tragic news arrives from home – his daughter has died and the Healer was too late in arriving.

Jesus, upon overhearing the sad news from several of Jairus’ messengers and their counsel not to bother Jesus anymore, for the crisis was over and the outcome was heartbreaking, addresses Jairus. He exhorts him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” Jairus now has a choice to make – believe the news and give way to fear or believe what Jesus was assuring him of – just believe in Me and it will all work out. It was time for Jairus to step up and step out in faith, or choose the logical path of loss and grief.

While we do not have Jairus’ verbal response to Jesus, we see that he continued on with Jesus back to his home in spite of the news that his daughter had passed. He chose to believe that Jesus could help – no doubt wondering what exactly He would do. He only had a promise – don’t give way to fear, just believe in Me and it will work out.

Kingdom leaders regularly face situations where plans do not go as hoped. The execution of what seemed so good and right when we began, now in light of our current reality seem tragically hopeless. What do we do? We fear failure, loss, embarrassment as we lead others through the ‘valley.’ Will we try and ‘fix it’ ourselves, relying upon our limited resources and ability? Is it continuing on in faith or just a stubborn refusal to admit defeat?

We humble ourselves, acknowledging that God does direct our steps and He has the right to determine whether our outcomes are accomplished in the ways we thought best or His unimagined ways. We do not demand our ways, but commit ourselves and our endeavors to His loving, perfect outcome for us. There are times when we proceed as before (i.e. Jairus) or there are times when we must adjust our plans. Both require faith and courage. The key is obeying His direction and the Spirit’s leading.

We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps. Proverbs 16:9 NLT

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9 NLT

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07 Oct 2024

Risk Management and Faith

He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap. … In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good. Ecclesiastes 11:4, 6 ESV

Life is full of risk and there are always risks to be considered in every decision or endeavor. To simply ignore potential threats and hope for the best is foolishness. In the above passage, it there is a sustained 50 mph wind blowing, a farmer who sows by hand scattering seed to the wind would be very foolish to assume that his sowing would yield a good harvest. Better to wait, let the wind die down, and then act. But if the farmer waits for the ‘perfect weather’ he probably will never act. Don’t ignore risk, but don’t let possible difficulty paralyze you to inaction. As the author states several chapters before, “There is a time for everything…” Ecclesiastes 3:1

In Ecclesiastes 9:4 (NIV) the author states, “Anyone who is among the living has hope–even a live dog is better off than a dead lion!” Yes, death is the destiny of all of us (see Ecclesiastes 7:2). The dead lion could have assessed the risk of attacking the water buffalo and decided the risk was worth the reward. Or he could have ignored the potential threat of the buffalo’s horns and paid the ultimate price. In both cases the lion died and lost chance for future conquests. Yes, there is a time to die, but don’t go there while foolishly ignoring potential risk.

Having assessed the potential risk in a decision, there comes a time to act. Faith calls us to focus our attention on Christ, trusting in Him for the outcomes. “The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD.” (Proverbs 21:31 NIV) We consider, we assess, we decide and then we act. But those actions are steps of faith, not flesh, for “…we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7) ESV

Posted in #1 KNOW- How a Leader Thinks, #3 DO - What a Leader Does and tagged , , , , , , ,
26 Aug 2024
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Is God Alone Enough?

We hear a lot today about the immense importance of ‘community’ in the life of a follower of Jesus. And if by that we mean our connection to the broader Body of Christ and our part in it as we live and labor for Jesus then there is merit in this. But I’ve begun to wonder if we are striving to find something in our ‘community’ of believers that God does not intend? Are we looking to others to meet needs that only God alone can?

It would seem that for many life is teetering on disaster if we can’t connect with our friends daily. We have to check in with those we ‘do life with’ to know how it goes, but maybe more importantly, so we can tell them how it’s going with us. We must gather physically or electronically, plugging in our emotional and sometimes our spiritual umbilical cords seeking soul nourishment to be able to make it through life’s challenges. But it often seems to be a gathering of two ticks in search of a dog!

I don’t believe Christ is calling us to be hermits or live isolated, cloistered lives. We are to be in the world and not of it, being salt and light. We are reminded not to give up meeting together that we may stimulate one another towards a life pleasing to God. (Hebrews 10:25) But are we striving to find in others what only Christ can deliver? Is fellowship with the living God, our Creator enough? Or is it God plus my worship music, my fellowship with others, my beautiful surroundings, my financial security, or even my ministry activities for Him?

Now some will point out that when God created Adam He did say, “It is not good for man to be alone,” and thus He created a woman. But we must be careful not to conclude from this narrative that God’s calling to singleness is in some way less than or incomplete when compared to those who He calls to marriage. Singleness or those married believers who lose a spouse are not in any way lesser than or missing out, for God alone is enough for both.

Allow God to meet your every need. Cry out to Him to fill your cup until it overflows. Find your everything in Him and then join with Paul in saying, “For me to live is Christ.” (Philippians 1:21) For He and He alone will meet your every need.

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29 Jul 2024

God is Generous

And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. Mark 6:42-43 ESV

What’s your attitude about God’s provision for you and your ministry? Is He a God who provides? Is He a God who provides just enough? Or is a God who provides abundantly – above and beyond what we could ask or imagine? “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…” Ephesians 3:20 NIV

Note the abundance of God’s loving provision in the following examples:

2 Kings 4:1-7 – The widow needed to pay off a debt. God’s provision of oil paid the debt and allowed her to live from the extra.

2 Kings 6:43-44 – Elisha feeding 100 prophets with 20 barley loaves. They ate their fill and had leftovers.

Mark 6:30-44 – Jesus feeding 5000 people with 5 loaves and 2 fish. They all ate and were satisfied and collected 12 basketfuls of leftovers.

Mark 8:1-10 – Jesus feeding 4000 people with 7 loaves and a few small fish. They all ate as much as they wanted and there were 7 basketfuls of leftovers.

God is not stingy or stretched for resources to meet our needs. He is generous beyond our understanding. His ways are not our ways. We submit to His ways and accept His provision knowing that when, how, and how much He provides is in perfect alignment with His perfect plans for us. He is good and all that He does is good.

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