Developing Kingdom Leaders – Tom Yeakley

Taking the Mystery out of Leadership

Archive for the tag “Leadership”

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.

Posted in #1 KNOW- How a Leader Thinks, #2 BE - Who a Leader Is and tagged , , , , , , , , ,
02 Dec 2024

Vision Casting and Recruiting

One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter). … Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” John 1:40-46 ESV

The above event happened shortly after Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. The four men along with John were with John the Baptist when he declared Jesus to be the Lamb of God and the Son of God at His baptism. No doubt that caused two of them, Andrew and John, to pursue Jesus and seek to know Him better the next day. Jesus’ simple invite to Andrew and John in response to, “Where are you staying,” was, “Come and see.”

After spending the afternoon and evening with Jesus (John records that Jesus’ invitation was around 4pm), Andrew goes to find his brother Peter who was also in the vicinity. He gives a short testimony and then he physically brought Peter to meet Jesus.

Philip also recruited Nathanael with a short testimony. He said, “We have found the One…” He too helps Nathanael overcome his hesitancy by simply saying, “Come and see.” Note that both said, “We have found…” Their testimony was backed by other’s experience as well – they say ‘we’ have found, not ‘I’ have found. And the use of the word ‘found’ implies that all were searching for the Messiah and now they had found Him.

As Kingdom leaders you will be the primary vision caster for your God-given mission. Yes, some of you will be better at it than others, but all will be expected to share this vision with others. And the vision is what you see by faith as you carry out your God-given task in the harvest.

“Come and see” is very effective in recruiting if what others experience is attractive and aligns with their personal desires. Here, both Peter and Nathanael were recruited with a testimony from someone they trusted and then were convinced when they personally experienced Jesus for themselves.

One noted difference: Nathanael responded to an invitation, but Peter was brought to Jesus by Andrew. Some will respond to your simple invitation, but others will need to be ‘brought’ to experience your mission for themselves. It is assumed that you have created such an attractive missional environment, with Christ at the center of it all, that a simple exposure will cause them to want to join with you.

The laborers are few for the harvest and thus are in high demand. God will provide all the people you need to accomplish His desired outcomes in your part of His harvest. Yes, pray for more workers for the harvest and ask specifically for more for your team (see Matthew 9:35-38). But, as you pray, also cast vision and recruit. God will take your small efforts and multiply it for His glory.

Can you clearly and succinctly communicate what you are seeking to accomplish? Good vision is clear, concise, and compelling.

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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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04 Nov 2024

Dealing with Opposition

So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth… 2 Timothy 2:22-25 ESV

Note Paul’s admonitions to his son in the faith, Timothy. He instructs Timothy to flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness – run from the flesh and run to Christlikeness. And Timothy is told to align himself with those of like heart.

Paul’s second warning is to avoid at all cost – have nothing to do with foolish controversies. These types of interactions only breed quarrels and fights and result in little good. But also note that after reminding Timothy to avoid quarrels and ignorant controversies, he instructs him in how to handle such. It seems that some things can’t be avoided all the time. Don’t be quarrelsome he says – in other words, don’t go looking for a fight. But when it comes, here’s how to handle yourself.

First, you must be kind and gentle in your responses. You are to instruct those who oppose you and patiently correct them in their error. Note that Paul refers to these people as ‘opponents’ or ‘those who are in opposition.’ They are entrapped in evil and Timothy is to deal with them in such a way that they repent of their evil and find the truth.

Remember to respond, don’t react. Be quick to listen and slow to speak. The goal in handling opposition is not to ‘win’ but to be obedient to Christ.

Posted in #2 BE - Who a Leader Is, #3 DO - What a Leader Does and tagged , , , , , ,
21 Oct 2024

Growing Weary in Doing Good

…how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. Acts 10:38 NIV

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:9-10 NIV

Kingdom leaders want to use their leadership for good – for furthering God’s overall purposes, accomplishing their God-given mission, blessing those they lead, lifting burdens others can’t, etc. But the concerns and responsibilities of leadership can be weighing and cause one to forget our reality. Here’s a short list of what is true for believers who follow Christ and what awaits us.

  1. Forgiveness of sin – 1 John 1:9
  2. Inward cleansing – Psalm 103.:12
  3. Peace with God – Romans 5:1
  4. Eternal life – John 3:16
  5. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit – Galatians 2:20
  6. Victory over temptation – 1 Corinthians 10:13
  7. Resurrection from the dead – 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
  8. A new, glorified body – 1 Corinthians 15:42-44
  9. Immortality – Revelation 21:7
  10. Dwelling place in the house of God forever – John14:1-3

So, as you ‘go about doing good’ do not grow weary in your efforts. Remember your reality. Yes, the headwinds of the world may be in your face, but do not lose heart. Your eternal destiny is assured.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NIV

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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 , , , , , , ,
23 Sep 2024
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Leadership Conversations

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. James 1:19-20 ESV

While James is not writing specifically to Kingdom leaders, his counsel is especially applicable to all leaders as they interact with others. For leaders, due to their position and authority, are heard at a volume of 9 even when they speak at a volume of 3. This can be of great advantage when affirming another for a job well done. But it can be tragically wounding if words are said in anger or without self-control.

James gives three actions when in interpersonal communications with others. Let’s look closer at these.

1. Be quick to hear – Have you ever been in conversation with another when they seemed not to be listening to you, but rather only waiting for the opportunity to speak? As leaders you will often be deferred to for speaking first or your words will be given more weight due to your role or position. Rather than sharing your thoughts, train yourself to ask questions and let others speak. And when they talk, really listen to them. Jesus asked over 200 questions and not one time did He need more information!

2. Be slow to speak – If you are quick to hear, you will be slow to speak. But you may hear and truly not be listening. Instead, you may be giving an outward appearance of listening, but inwardly you are formulating your response and ignoring what is being said. It is so important for leaders to think before they speak – to respond and not react. Wait before you send that email response. Put it into your draft folder and sleep on it. You’ll find many times that the next day you will reword it or not send it at all.

3. Be slow to anger – Note that James does not say, ‘and never become angry.’ Anger is a God-given emotion that, like other emotions, are morally neutral. God becomes angry, yet without sin. It is how we express our anger that determines whether we sin or not in our anger. Before we chastise or rebuke another, remember to take the log out of your own eye first (see Matthew 7:1-5). Words spoken in anger, though they may be forgiven, are not forgotten and the scars may be lasting.

Stewarding your leadership influence for good is more than accomplishing mission. It also includes caring for the flock entrusted to your leadership. Watch your interpersonal comms! You will be quoted!

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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!

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20 May 2024

Leading By Example

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder … shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 1 Peter 5:1-3 ESV

It has been said, “Don’t do what I do. Do what I tell you to do.” What terrible leadership! Jesus had a lot of bad things to say about such leadership hypocrisy (see Matthew 23). What should be said by leaders is what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”

In the passage above, Peter appeals to the leaders he is writing to as a fellow leader (elder). He reminds them that they are spiritual shepherds responsible for overseeing God’s flock under their leadership. They are not to delegate or worse, abdicate that responsibility, but instead ‘exercise their oversight.’ He then exhorts them on how to execute their oversight with three admonitions. The first two are attitudes of a Kingdom leader and the third is a ‘how to’ action.

  1. Not under compulsion, but willingly – It’s a privilege to lead in the Kingdom of God – to have influence in the lives of others. Should God call you to lead, accept that humbly and gratefully, not having to be dragged along, but willingly. Yes, there comes burden with leading, but Jesus who calls also helps you carry that weight (see Matthew 11:29-30).
  2. Not for shameful gain, but eagerly – Leaders will have access to resources and power that others won’t. If you use those benefits for your personal gain at the expense of those you lead, you will be held accountable. Rather, eagerly sacrificing yourself for the sake of those you lead will not go unnoticed by God (and others). People move towards leaders who are looking out for their good and can ‘smell’ ego and self-promotion and run from it.
  3. Not domineering, but being an example – This was Jesus admonition regarding the world’s way of leading which says, “Because I’m the boss, that’s why!” (see Mark 10:41-45). If you have to default to your positional power base to get people to follow, something is very wrong! Leadership by example will be inspirational and motivate good behavior willingly.

Remember the Golden Rule of Leadership which says, “Lead others the way you want to be led.”

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