Developing Kingdom Leaders – Tom Yeakley

Taking the Mystery out of Leadership

Archive for the tag “leadership thinking”

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.”

Posted in #1 KNOW- How a Leader Thinks and tagged , , , , , ,
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!

Posted in #1 KNOW- How a Leader Thinks and tagged , , , , ,
16 Dec 2024
2 Comments

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.

Posted in #1 KNOW- How a Leader Thinks, #2 BE - Who a Leader Is and tagged , , , , , , , , ,
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

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

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.

Posted in #1 KNOW- How a Leader Thinks, #2 BE - Who a Leader Is and tagged , , , , , , ,
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.

Posted in #1 KNOW- How a Leader Thinks and tagged , , , , , ,
15 Jul 2024

Come to Grips with the Possible

Some years ago, I spent a day with J.O. Sanders, assisting him in his travels from one end of the island of Java to another. As we transited from trains, planes, and automobiles we discussed much about life, ministry, and leadership. He asked me questions that caused me to reflect upon my plans, hopes, and dreams for ministry in Indonesia. It was a wonderful day!

Somewhere during this day, he said this, “Tom, I have something I’d like to say to you.” Well, as you can imagine, that got my attention. “Of course,” I said, “Please do so. I’m interested to hear what you have to say.” “Tom, you need to come to grips with the possible,” he said. Hmmm, I thought. I wonder what he means by that. So we continued our conversation with me asking him to please explain further.

“Tom, you’ve told me about your hopes and aspirations – your plans and your initiatives. But your youthful zeal and idealism has set you up for daily frustrations and great disappointments. It’s not wrong to have those future goals and dreams. But don’t live there. Live and labor in the present and trust God for whatever outcomes He deems best from your effort. Come to grips with what’s possible today, work hard at what He gives you to do, and leave the outcomes to Him who is good and always does what is good. Don’t be so focused on what remains undone. Do what you can, today. There will be time and resources to accomplish all He intends for you tomorrow.”

It was only later that I realized this was the same counsel Jesus gave His disciples when they questioned the effort of a women who anointed him with expensive perfume. There was much left undone that the money from the sale of the perfume could have been used for. Jesus’ reply was poignant, “Leave her alone. She has done what she could.”

That short dialog with J.O. Sanders marked me. Since that day I have sought to apply his counsel to work hard each day, do what I can, and leave what is undone for tomorrow. Jesus said it another way, “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

Another leader once counseled me, “A mark of maturity in leadership is being able to live with unfinished tasks.”

Therefore, work hard each day. Do what you can. Tomorrow will come with its own special challenges. Come to grips with the possible!

Posted in #1 KNOW- How a Leader Thinks, #3 DO - What a Leader Does and tagged , , , , , ,
01 Jul 2024

Good Beginnings Don’t Ensure Good Endings

Solomon assumed the leadership of Israel as a young man (mid-teens?). He knew he was beyond his depth and thus cried out to God for help (see 1 Kings 3). God heard his cry for help and granted him his desire which the need for wisdom to lead the kingdom. He consolidated his leadership, organized his team, and in the fourth year of his reign he began work on the temples (1 Kings 6:1).

Seven years later the construction of Solomon’s Temple was completed (1 Kings 6:37-38) and a two-week celebration occurred. A large assembly gathered to see the temple dedicated and the ark was moved to its final location. All looked good for the young king (now in his mid-20s) as he grew into manhood and his popularity grew.

The king was faithful to walk in the ways of God, “Three times a year Solomon used to offer up burnt offerings and peace offerings on the altar that he built to the LORD, making offerings with it before the LORD…” (1 Kings 9:25) ESV “Thus King Solomon excelled all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom. And the whole earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom, which God had put into his mind.” (1 Kings 10 23-24 ESV)

But “As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God as the heart of David his father had been.” (1 Kings 11:4) “So Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the LORD and did not wholly follow the LORD, as David his father had done. … And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods. But he did not keep what the LORD commanded.” (1 Kings 11:6, 9-10) ESV

And remember, Solomon died after 40 years of ruling Israel. If he began in his mid-teens, he was in his 50s when he died. His father David had set him up for success and the Lord had appeared to him personally twice. He had more wisdom than any other, yet his heart drifted as he grew older.

“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” Proverbs 4:23 NLT

Be careful. Be very careful! Good beginnings do not ensure good endings!

Posted in #3 DO - What a Leader Does and tagged , , , , , , ,
06 May 2024

Kingdom Leaders and Financial Donors – 2

… He took his twelve disciples with him, along with some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases. Among them were Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons; Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s business manager; Susanna; and many others who were contributing from their own resources to support Jesus and his disciples. Luke 8:1-3 NLT

Jesus and the Twelve were materially supported by a group of committed, faithful, and generous women who gave out of their own resources to enable Jesus’ ministry team to advance the Kingdom through their ministry of discipleship. Here’s a continuation of the previous blog on relating to your ministry donors.

  1. Do assume a sense of accountability to regularly communicate to your donors how their investment is impacting the world for Christ and the Kingdom. Do not exaggerate your ministry results and don’t understate any ministry difficulties. Be real about the good times and the hard times.
  2. View your personal and ministry donors as a vital part of your entire ministry audience who you are seeking to influence for Christ. Use your donor communications to minister to your donor’s souls, not just report your ministry activities.
  3. Don’t be like the nine lepers who Jesus healed who failed to return to Him and say thank you. Express thankfulness to your donors regularly for their partnership with you in the Gospel. You cannot say ‘thank you’ too many times!
  4. In your heart, do not view major financial donors as more valuable than those who give smaller amounts. Remember the widow who gave two small copper coins out of her poverty (see Mark 12:41-44). Major financial donors may have more strategic impact on the ministry, but their individual worth to God is the same as your $5 a month donor. Do not differentiate in your heart any partiality between the rich and the poor (see James 1:1-9).
  5. How and what you communicate to major donors may be different than that of smaller ministry donors. But all donors want to know what their donations (investments) in your ministry are yielding in way of outcomes. Always be accurate and truthful regarding your ministry impact!
  6. Pray for ministry ‘patrons’ who God will raise up to partner in great ways with you from their wealth. William Tyndale had Humphrey Monmouth who financed his translating the Bible into English. John Newton had John Thornton who opened many doors of ministry through his social connections and wealth. Lady Huntingdon invested great resources into the ministries of John Wesley and George Whitefield.
  7. And always remember, “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own?” Luke 16:10-12 ESV

Seek to cultivate an attitude of gratitude. “… What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift?” 1 Corinthians 4:7 NLT

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

Post Navigation

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →