Developing Kingdom Leaders – Tom Yeakley

Taking the Mystery out of Leadership

Archive for the tag “Leadership”

22 May 2023

Handling Leadership Success

Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the troops, and Saul’s officers as well… When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres. As they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” … In everything he did he had great success, because the LORD was with him. … But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns. … Then Saul ordered his attendants: “Speak to David privately and say, ‘Look, the king likes you, and his attendants all love you; now become his son-in-law.’ ” … The Philistine commanders continued to go out to battle, and as often as they did, David met with more success than the rest of Saul’s officers, and his name became well known. 1 Samuel 18:5-7, 14, 16, 22, 30 NIV

Note the progression of David’s popularity. First he was exalted above his siblings when anointed by Samuel as a young man. Next he was honored in front of king Saul and the army when he killed Goliath. Honored by Saul with army rank, he now outranked his brothers! Songs were song about him and his success and it was obvious to all that God’s hand of blessing was on David. He found favor in the eyes of the king and married into the king’s family with its accompanying social status. And wherever David went he met with success. The result was, “his name became well known” and his personal power and prestige grew.

It was Abraham Lincoln who said, “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character give him power.” With increased leadership success comes fame and personal influence. Others will want to be associated with you, for to be called your ‘friend’ is a plus. Your popularity opens doors and with leadership success comes more leadership opportunities.

Be careful how you walk! Be careful who you associate with! Be careful who you lend your endorsement to! For it is not your name, but the Lord’s name that is truly great! Be careful not to exalt yourself.

Remember Jeremiah’s counsel to his servant in Jeremiah 45:5 ESV, “And do you seek great things for yourself? Seek them not…”

And never forget Paul’s exhortation in Romans 12:3 NLT, “Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.”

How are you handling your success, notoriety, popularity, promotion, and fame?

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15 May 2023

God’s Leader Development Plan

David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.” But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you.” 1 Samuel 17:32-37 NIV

What had prepared David for his battle with Goliath? David’s reply was that he had spent a lot of time tending his father’s sheep! Not exactly a promising resume’ on the surface of things. But it wasn’t actual care of the sheep that prepared him for this epic fight; rather it was the experience David had gained in fighting off the wild animals that threatened to kill his flock that prepared him. He had learned to defeat both lions and bears during his shepherding and so, he reasoned that this Philistine would be no more difficult to defeat.

For David’s reliance was not upon his skill as a fighter. Rather, he trusted in the Lord to help him defeat this threat. For it was “the Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear” and this Philistine is no match for the living God!

God’s training and development of Kingdom leaders is not the world’s path, for God is developing a leader’s heart and trust in Him. David was selected to replace Saul as king because of his heart (see 1 Samuel 16:7). And now this heart-anchored trust in God would once again be demonstrated. Previously it was done in private. But now it will be put on display in front of the entire armies of Israel and the Philistines. Goliath was more than a match for David (Saul’s perspective), but he was no match for David’s God!

Your inner life – spirit and heart – will often be developed in private moments aside from the eyes of others. As you pass these private challenges, learning to trust in God’s empowerment and not your own strength, He will then bring you out onto a public ‘stage’ for all to see His might.

Don’t neglect the cultivation of your inner life – your heart and soul care, for these will often determine your service for the King!

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08 May 2023

Dealing with Leadership Pressure

Some Hebrews even crossed the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. Saul remained at Gilgal, and all the troops with him were quaking with fear. He waited seven days, the time set by Samuel; but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and Saul’s men began to scatter. So he said, “Bring me the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings.” And Saul offered up the burnt offering. Just as he finished making the offering, Samuel arrived, and Saul went out to greet him. “What have you done?” asked Samuel. Saul replied, “When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Mikmash, I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the LORD’s favor.’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.” “You have done a foolish thing,” Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the LORD’s command.” 1 Samuel 13:7-14 NIV

The situation for Saul was deteriorating rapidly. His troops were “quaking with fear.” His appointment with his mentor, Samuel, was delayed indefinitely. Some among his followers began to desert him. He needed to act – or so he thought. What to do with all this pressure? And so, he took matters into his own hands and decided to make an offering to the Lord and just as he finished his mentor arrived. Note Samuel’s question, “What have you done?”

Saul replies with an explanation of his reasoning for the decision to do something he knew was wrong. His three reasons were: 1) the men were deserting him, 2) Samuel was late in coming, and 3) he feared an attack without having God’s favor. Thus, he “felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.” He caved to the pressure of the moment and deliberately disobeyed the Word of God. It was a reasoned decision, not taken without forethought. But Samuel describes his decision as “a foolish thing… you have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you.”

No matter how well reasoned our actions, regardless of the pressure of the moment, we are to obey the Word of God and not give in to outside pressure or our own logic. Trust God and obey! He has your back!

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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01 May 2023
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When Others Disappoint

Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.” Mark 3:20-21 NIV

Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” For even his own brothers did not believe in him. John 7:3-5 NIV

Imagine Jesus’ disappointment (sadness) when the crowds were proclaiming Him to be a great prophet, some had come to know that He was the long-awaited Messiah, and yet His own family members thought He was nuts! His family members (yes, even His mother!) thought He was mentally off and they decided on a family intervention. He had become an embarrassment to Himself and the family as a whole and now they must ‘take charge’ of Him. This word is the same word translated “arrested” when Jesus was apprehended in the Garden.

Later, His half-brothers were so cynical that they later chided Him into going to Jerusalem to publicly show Himself to the crowds as the One. Jesus replies that His time was yet to come, but their time (to believe) was now! They ignored His plea.

Yes, close family and friends may disappoint us. They may not understand our Lord, His calling on us, or respect our Kingdom ministry. We should not be surprised nor hold it against them. For the last chapter has yet to be written for them. Note what happens to Jesus’ family.

Forty days after the resurrection, on the day of the Ascension when Jesus returned to heaven, we find this description of the gathering of believers. “When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.” Acts 1:13-14 NIV

Jesus’ mother and brothers came to believe in Him as their Savior! It seems that often those close to us may not affirm or support our Kingdom work. But don’t write them off! The last chapter has yet to be written for them. Perhaps they too shall come to realize what Jesus’ family came to know. It just may take a little more time. Don’t lose hope! Pray for them and wait for God to move.

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24 Apr 2023

The Power of Modeling

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1 ESV

Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12 ESV

Never underestimate the power of your own example. Your pursuit of Christ and your application of the Word of God to life will challenge, encourage, and embolden those who are on the journey with you. The power of modeling is not limited to the ‘older and wiser’ as one might assume from Paul’s exhortation to imitate me as I imitate Christ. Rather, Paul’s exhortation to Timothy, a ‘youth,’ was to set the example for others in speech, behavior, and Christlike character.

It has been said, “More things are caught than taught.” In my own life I have been deeply impacted by a few whose life example so moved me to want to be like them – to follow their example as they followed Christ. But one thing is necessary for this type of modeling – it’s the principle of contact. We have to be in contact with others if we are to be a model for them. And once in contact, we also need to be transparent enough for them to see through any idealistic facades they may have in order to truly see our lives. These life models will be few, but their impact on us will be great and lasting.

There is one category of models for our development that is often overlooked. It’s the group of influencers that Dr. Bobby Clinton refers to as ‘historical mentors.’ Most of these we will not have the opportunity to meet personally, but we can ‘meet’ them through their biographies. For my own life, outside of the Bible, the greatest leader development books have been biographies of Christian leaders – particularly missionary biographies. As we read about their lives and how they personally pursued Christ, their example can serve to motivate and inspire us to great things for God. Remember, leaders are readers! Read biographies of great followers of Christ and you’ll be the better for it.

Here are a few titles that have deeply impacted and challenged me. If you have not yet read these, may I humbly suggest that these go onto your ‘to be read’ shelf.

  1. Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret, by Howard and Geraldine Taylor (Moody Press)
  2. Behind the Ranges – The Life Story of J.O. Fraser, by Geraldine Taylor
  3. Gladys Aylward: The Little Woman, by Aylward and Hunter
  4. Through the Gates of Splendor, by Elisabeth Elliot

We are all modeling, but the question is, “What are we modeling?”

May your own pursuit of Christ be a model for others to imitate.

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17 Apr 2023

The Leader Development Model – Know, Be, Do

As you think about and execute your own leader development plan or a plan to develop other leaders, what grid or template to you organize around? Leadership is such a complex and challenging subject to grasp and Kingdom leadership adds an additional level of alignment. It can be like ‘trying to nail Jello to a wall,’ seemingly impossible unless one first freezes the Jello. A classical developmental grid for leaders is the Know, Be, Do grid.

In Acts 22:10, 14-15 (NIV) we can see God’s development plan for Paul outlined. ” ‘What shall I do, Lord?‘ I asked. ” ‘Get up,’ the Lord said, ‘and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.’ … “Then he said: ‘The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. You will be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard.” Note how Paul immediately jumps to the end of the process in his conversation when he asks about ‘doing.’ Leaders are like that – they are doers. But God reminds him that first he must know the will of God, to see the Righteous One, and hear his words, and then he will be a witness a witness to all people.

Paul was the top of his class – a man with a first-rate education and experience, coupled with a zeal for God that exceeded many. But he was not prepared for the purposes God intended. From the world’s perspective He was ready for assignment, but from a Kingdom perspective he was lacking. Must scholars agree that it would be nine years of development from his conversion before Paul was sent with Barnabas on their first missionary tour. Three of those nine years were spent in isolation in Arabia, no doubt resetting his worldview and getting to know the words of His Savior.

So, as you plan your own leader development, select and area of leadership that will be your focus. Then, break it down into what you want to Know about this subject, particularly what the Bible says about it. Next, what must you Be – what inner qualities must be developed – for you to become this type of leader? And third, what are you to Do – what skills are needed to execute well in this area of leadership?

How do you ‘eat’ the leadership ‘elephant?’ One bite at a time! Know, Be, Do. Head, Heart, Hands. Understanding, Formation, Practice. Be intentional about your own development and intentionally develop more leaders. And remember, ‘A little bit of intentionality goes a long way!’

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10 Apr 2023

Kingdom Leader Development and the Word of God

The LORD was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the LORD. The LORD continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word. 1 Samuel 3:19-21 NIV

Samuel had been dedicated to the Lord by his parents and raised in the family of Eli the High Priest. He was called by God to service as a young man and God’s hand was on him as affirmed by others. Yet, there was a lifelong process that would finally result in God’s blessing and allow him to influence many. God revealed Himself to Samuel through His Word (see above).

Kingdom leader development must be anchored in the Bible. But note what the development of Samuel says, God revealed Himself to Samuel. It is not the gaining of much Bible knowledge that allows one to lead well in the Kingdom. Rather, it is a knowledge of the Living God as revealed through the pages of the Book that allows one to represent Him well as we lead.

As you think about your development, are you truly pursuing God daily, growing in your intimacy with Him as you interact with the Text? Are you getting to know Him, or about Him? It’s a subtle distinction that makes all the difference. For we lead from an overflow of our intimacy with Him. It is the abiding in the Vine (see John 15:1-5) that will allow you to ‘bear much fruit.’

But often with the busyness of leadership comes a habit of simply ‘tipping our hat’ towards our Maker as we spend time in His Word. We don’t neglect to have our daily devotions, but they become routine and shallow rather that transformative and life-giving. We ‘check the box’ for our daily quiet time, increasing knowledge about God, but not growing in knowledge of God.

D. L. Moody said, “The Bible was not given to increase our knowledge, but to change our lives.”

Can you say like Paul regarding his pursuit of Christ, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14 NIV

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27 Mar 2023

Facing Hardship

After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’ ” When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.” After this, we started on our way up to Jerusalem. Acts 21:10-15 NIV

Paul was coming to the end of his third missionary tour. It had been a long four years of service, with most of it in Ephesus. God had given amazing fruitfulness (see Acts 19:10), but now it was time to return to Jerusalem. The prophet Agabus, moved by the Holy Spirit, foretold of Paul’s impending arrest and imprisonment by the Gentiles. Not exactly an exciting future!

We note Paul’s response compared to his companions. They assumed that this arrest and imprisonment was something to be avoided at all cost. They pleaded with Paul, seeking to influence him to change his mind about returning to Jerusalem. They assumed that this was not what God wanted, for certainly God would want his servant to continue his ministry.

Paul’s response was very different. He had no ‘death wish’ nor was he a fatalist. But he was not one to be driven by fear of the future or a fear of man. He had many times in the past seen the Lord deliver him (see 1 Corinthians 1:8-11). His confidence was in the Lord. He would not be dissuaded. Jerusalem awaited and there he would face his destiny.

It’s easy to assume that the avoidance of known opposition, persecution, or trial is the way of wisdom. Certainly one should not go looking for a fight. Remember Ecclesiastes 9:4, “Anyone who is among the living has hope–even a live dog is better off than a dead lion!” But, Paul’s destiny had been outlined by the Holy Spirit through Agabus the prophet. We note that none of Paul’s companions we saying, “The Holy Spirit spoke to me and says, ‘Don’t go to Jerusalem, Paul.'” No, it was their emotions emanating from the thought of losing their friend, Paul, that drove them to plead for him to change his mind.

Sometimes we may have to choose between the Lord and the pleadings of our friends. Those can be difficult choices in the moment. Listen carefully to be sure it is the Lord speaking and not just the burrito you had for lunch! Then, trust Him who knows the future and is able to ‘do above and beyond what we can ask or imagine.’ He is faithful!

But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.  2 Timothy 4:5 NIV

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20 Mar 2023

Communicating the Message

At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed. … 3 So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders. … 7 where they continued to preach the gospel. … 15 “Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them. … 21 They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, 22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. 23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. … 27 On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. Acts 14 NIV

It is interesting to look at the variety of ways the Gospel and salvation are described in this one chapter of Acts 14.

Note the following from the above passage:

… Jews and Gentiles believed – something to believe

… the message of his grace – a message to communicate and receive

… preach the gospel – the ‘good news’ to be shared with others

… good news – important, life changing information to be listened to and received

… turn… to the living God – a change in life direction towards the one, true living God

… the faith – something to be believed

… the Lord, in whom they had put their trust – a trust-based personal relationship with the Lord Jesus

… the door of faith – something to walk through

As you reflect on and share the Good News with others, may it be the full embodiment of all that is included in putting our faith, trust, and hope in the living God and His Son, Jesus our Savior.

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13 Mar 2023

Your Ambition is Showing

The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 1 Timothy 3:1 ESV

Leaders want to lead! But for Kingdom leaders we can sometimes feel like we should aspire to influence others. We tell ourselves that aspiring to lead is somehow like self-promotion rooted in pride and something that we should keep under wraps. Don’t show it or someone may think your ego has the best of you!

Remember what Jesus said to the Zebedee brothers when they aspired to the top two positions in the coming Kingdom – to sit on His right and left? In Mark 10:25ff we see their aspiration verbalized by their bold request. We can imagine the reactions of the other ten upon hearing this request – “And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John.” Mark 10:41 “Wow, I thought that we were all in this together? I thought we got selected together to this leadership training team three years ago we were all peers?” they must have thought. “Who died and made you king over us?”

Jesus listened patiently and then pointed out several key leadership points related to the Kingdom. First, don’t think that self-promotion will get you ahead in the Kingdom. Leadership positions are determined by the Lord. Let them come to you rather than you chasing them.

Secondly, we note that Jesus did not rebuke them for aspiring to lead, but He did point them to the process for getting ahead in the Kingdom. Choosing to serve others rather than lead others is the path to Kingdom influence. Kingdom leaders can aspire to express their servant identity should God grant them the privilege of leadership. They don’t aspire to leadership positions because of the power they might have, but rather to Kingdom responsibility for God’s glory, not their own ‘lording it over others.’

Thus, Paul reminds Timothy that it’s a good thing to aspire to the role of overseer/elder for this leadership is a ‘noble task.’ Just check your motives. Is it about me or is it about God and His purposes? He knows your heart.

And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But 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 slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:41-45 ESV

Be like Jesus!

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