Developing Kingdom Leaders – Tom Yeakley

Taking the Mystery out of Leadership

Archive for the tag “Leadership”

09 Mar 2015
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In Memory of Jelle

Jelle Jongsma photo Jelle Jongsma finished his race shortly before Christmas 2014.  It was my privilege to have known him and to have journeyed with him as a fellow pilgrim.  Below is an article I wrote for the Dutch Navigators about my memories of Jelle.

“In 2003 I began to travel to Western Europe and engage with some of the leaders of the various student ministries.  At the first event in Amsterdam I met a large Dutchman who introduced himself as Jelle Jongsma, the leader of the Dutch student ministry (NSV).  That began a journey together that has forever changed my life.

“My heart is flooded with many, many fond memories of our journey over these years.  It makes me smile just to remember Jelle’s boisterous laugh and overwhelming optimism.  Jelle was a contrast of seriousness regarding the advance of the gospel and the lightheartedness of daily life.  Jelle was a man who knew a big God and saw the world’s problems as very small by comparison.  His vision for the world and desire to be personally used by God were a constant theme in our times together.

“At a staff gathering at the Don Bosco retreat center we were discussing some of the problems facing a rapidly growing Dutch student work.  That morning we prayed over Ezekiel 36:37-38 asking that God would fill the Dutch universities and cities with ‘flocks’ of Dutch students and graduates who loved Him.  We prayed that they would carry this Navigator vision of laboring to Europe and the nations of the world.  While God was blessing the Dutch ministry, there was more…always more.  Jelle’s vision saw more opportunity for God to work everywhere he looked.  His faith and vision challenged me to trust God for more.

“I remember walking at Kinderdijyk with him praying for the Netherlands and the nations.  We visited his childhood home and I learned about his family heritage.  He invited me into his home and I watched him and Joke raise two beautiful young girls to become godly women.  We talked about everything from mission strategy to qualities of potential spouses for Myrthe and Susanne.  He and Joke made me feel a part of their lives and family.

“When Jelle and Bernard (Terlouw) visited us in Colorado, we laughed at the size of the large steak I cooked for them on our grill.  I remember laughing about me not liking Dutch krokets, my silliness at placing both peanut butter and jam on my sandwich, and him trying to teach me to enjoy red wine.  I’m so grateful for his patience and kindness when I called late at night asking him to please pick me up at the Den Hague train station, because once again I had gotten on the wrong train in Utrecht.  In many ways it seems that our roles reversed from me coaching him in ministry, to him teaching me about life and modeling Christlikeness.

“I would have liked to have had more time with Jelle, but I’m so grateful for what time we did have.  I’ll never be the same.  I will miss him and look forward to seeing him again when he greets me in heaven.  No doubt I’ll hear him before I see him, as his laugh will help me find him in the crowd.”

May we all have such friends in our journeys.

Posted in #1 KNOW- How a Leader Thinks, #2 BE - Who a Leader Is and tagged , , , , , ,
02 Mar 2015

Development Through Tough Relationships

DAVID – LESSONS FROM RELATIONSHIPS: SAUL
1 Samuel 16-26

Character: Christlikeness; the fruit of the Spirit

“Character is developed in community, but tested in isolation.”
Bill Thrall

Lesson #1      Trusting God’s Sovereignty

1 Samuel 18:28-29
When Saul realized that the LORD was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, 29 Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days.

1 Samuel 19:9-10
But an evil spirit from the LORD came upon Saul as he was sitting in his house with his spear in his hand. While David was playing the harp, 10 Saul tried to pin him to the wall with his spear, but David eluded him as Saul drove the spear into the wall. That night David made good his escape.

David was approximately 20 years of age when he fled from Saul and for the next ten years, until anointed in Hebron as king, he was on the run from Saul (2 Sam. 5:4).

1 Sam. 19:1-2 – Jonathan warns David of Saul’s plot
1 Sam. 19:4 – Jonathan defends David to his father, Saul
1 Sam. 19:11-12 – Michal warns David of Saul’s plot
1 Sam. 19:23 – God spares David
1 Sam. 20:32-35 – Jonathan again warns David of Saul’s plot
1 Sam. 23:9-13 – David delivered through ephod warning at Keilah
1 Sam. 23:14 – God continually spares David from Saul
1 Sam. 23:26-29 – David delivered because of Philistine attack on Saul

Lesson: People, leaders, governments, or organizations can’t frustrate God’s plan for my life (cf. Genesis 31:6-7)

Romans 8:31
If God is for us, who can be against us?

Lessons #2      Submission to Authority

1 Samuel 24:5-7
Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe. 6 He said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD’S anointed, or lift my hand against him; for he is the anointed of the LORD.” 7 With these words David rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul left the cave and went his way…May the LORD judge between you and me. And may the LORD avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you.

1 Samuel 26:9-11
But David said to Abishai, “Don’t destroy him! Who can lay a hand on the LORD’S anointed and be guiltless? 10 As surely as the LORD lives,” he said, “the LORD himself will strike him; either his time will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. 11 But the LORD forbid that I should lay a hand on the LORD’S anointed. Now get the spear and water jug that are near his head, and let’s go.”

1 Samuel 26:22-24
“Here is the king’s spear,” David answered. “Let one of your young men come over and get it. 23 The LORD rewards every man for his righteousness and faithfulness. The LORD delivered you into my hands today, but I would not lay a hand on the LORD’S anointed. 24 As surely as I valued your life today, so may the LORD value my life and deliver me from all trouble.”

Lesson: Leaders are God-appointed and therefore I submit to them, even if they seek to do me wrong, trusting that God will remove them and/or correct/repay them at the proper time (cf. John 19:10-11; Romans 13:1-2; Hebrews 13:17)

What difficult relationship has God placed you into that He means to use for good and for your development as a leader?  Are you embracing this or fighting against it?

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23 Feb 2015

God’s Use of Isolation

DAVID – GOD’S USE OF ISOLATION
1 Samuel 20-31

Isolation: when God sets a leader aside from their destiny process to develop deeper, heart issues dealing with their inner spirit; our “doing” for God ceases and we are forced to focus on our “being” with God.

“God develops our character in community and tests it in isolation.”
Bill Thrall

God develops our spirit in isolation and tests it in community.

Spirit: relating to and loving God, rather than doing something for God; knowledge and understanding of God, confidence in God, surrender to God

During isolation periods, God develops a leader into a channel for His power to be displayed. We learn to boast in weakness for we know God will work through our weakness for His glory.

2 Cor. 12:9-10
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Examples of Isolation:

Jesus – 40 days in the wilderness Luke 4:1-14

Luke 4:1,14
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert…. Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside.

Moses – 40 years in desert tending sheep Acts 7:23,30

Paul – time in Arabia after conversion; years in Tarsus Gal. 1:17, 2:1

David – running from Saul in the desert ( +10 years ) 1 Sam.20-31

Leaders can anticipate times of isolation when God sets them aside from the activities of leadership in order to develop them in deeper ways.  Don’t be surprised by this, in fact, know that God is using this to develop you as a better leader.  Lean into it and don’t rush back to the action.  Let God have His way and His timing in your development.

Posted in #1 KNOW- How a Leader Thinks, #2 BE - Who a Leader Is and tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,
16 Feb 2015
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A Leader’s Calling

Below is a bible study on the call of God. I used it myself when trying to discern whether God was leading me/us out of a vocational career in veterinary medicine and into a ministry with The Navigators. This was one source of input that the Lord used to guide us in that decision.

Key Attitudes for Following God’s Calling
1. Trust God – Proverbs 3:5-6
2. Living sacrifice – Romans 12:1-2
3. Willingness to obey – John 7:17

Leaders God Called
Abraham – Genesis 12:1-5

Moses – Exodus 3:1 – 4:20

Samuel – 1 Samuel 3:1-13

Isaiah – Isaiah 6

Jeremiah – Jeremiah 1:1-19

Ezekiel – Ezekiel 1-3

Jonah – Jonah 1 – 3:3

Peter and Andrew – Mark 1:16-18; Luke 5:1-11; John 1:35-42; Matthew 4:18-20

James and John – Mark 1:19-20; Luke 5:1-11; Matthew 4:21-22

Matthew – Mark 2:13-17; Luke 5:27-32; Matthew 9:9-15

Paul – Acts 9:1-20

Principles of God’s Calling
1. Makes sure it is God calling and not your idea – Galatians 1:1

2. God takes volunteers – Isaiah 6:8

3. The call is often a call to “go” with no geographical limitations – Jonah 1:1-3; 3:1-2; Hebrews 11:8

4. God clarifies His call as we walk in obedience – Genesis 12:1-4; 17:1-8; Hebrews 11:8

5. Failure to respond can bring chastening or loss of opportunity – example of Jonah, rich young ruler

6. Responding to God’s call may mean a change in lifestyle – Exodus 3:1,10

7. The call of God is a call to serve – Mark 1:16-18

Without a clear calling from God the pressures and challenges faced by leaders will cause one to want to give up.  Sustainability in leadership can be helped by knowing that one is called to lead.  It is out of obedience to Him that we stay and serve.

Are you sure that the Lord has called you to serve others by leading?

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09 Feb 2015

Making Your Contribution

Dr. RJ (Bobby) Clinton shared the following with me some time ago regarding living a focused life. Note that these suggestions are best suited for those in their late 30s and 40s who are moving into mid-career contributions. His thoughts are numbered, my additions follow.

1. Do a thorough Ultimate Contribution Analysis. What is it that you want on your tombstone? What will be said about you at your funeral? What difference will your life have meant when you are gone?

2. Identify the priority Ultimate Contributions you want to focus on the next 5 years. This includes assessing your major role and adjusting it to fit the priorities or changing that major role altogether to enhance your priority legacies. Just how serious are you about this ‘focusing for impact’ idea anyway? What do you need to stop doing in order to begin to develop depth and focus so that God can use you in a greater way?

3. Choose your top ultimate contribution and lay out a strategy for focusing on it. Plans can help turn good intentions into reality. But just because you have a good plan does not ensure execution of it. Create some accountability to turn those plans into progress!

4. Repeat for your other prior ultimate contributions. You will have more than one ultimate contribution, but not dozens. These few contributions will revolve around your giftedness and will require you to concentrate in these areas to develop your life messages in them.

5. Identify your effective methodologies that are needed to be released in order to accomplish these priority legacies. Make sure you are using your effective methodologies to the utmost. Strategize to change your activities (major role adjustment) in order to use your effective methodologies. You effective methodologies are means by which you can platform and communicate your life messages. Will it be through direct or indirect leadership? Will your influence be written or oral? Will you concentrate on a few or seek to influence broadly? ‘

Focus for impact’ is the mantra of a life that will help to change the world for Christ! Are you becoming more and more a generalist or are you developing and honing your life messages for greater impact? How’s your focus?

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02 Feb 2015

Don’t Chase Leadership Fads

General Colin Powell [Chairman (Ret.), Joint Chiefs of Staff] in his work, “A Leadership Primer” describes the following principle:

“Fit no stereotypes.  Don’t chase the latest management fads.  The situation dictates which approach best accomplishes the team’s mission.”

When one begins to focus on the subject of leadership you will notice that many are talking about the latest leadership book that they have read.  Through these conversations certain leadership phrases become part of our everyday vocabulary – “get the right people on the bus,” “you have to think systems,” “change management,”EQ,” “be proactive, instead of reactive” – the list is endless.

Now books and their contents are not necessarily bad (I write them myself), but it’s what we do with them that can make them helpful or harmful.  We leaders can get very excited about a new idea or concept from a recent book.  That quote or concept now becomes part of our everyday conversations and we spread that influence among those we lead or interact with indiscriminately.  But often we do so without any sense of context or without thinking carefully  about our audience.  It has been said, “When all you have is a hammer, the whole world looks like a nail.”

A good leader stewards their influence wisely.  While we may be helped by some thought from a recent read, we should ask ourselves, “Will this truly help this person?  Is it appropriate for them or their leadership context?”  If not, then keep quiet!  Put yourself in their situation and ask yourself what do they need to hear from me that fits them and where they are in their context or stage of development.

Books come and go in their popularity.  Few stand the test of time.  Be careful not to be always chasing the latest leadership fads or what’s trendy.  You will miss the timeless truths and wisdom that comes from the Lord.  Yes, read leadership books and think about what you read.  Don’t just accept it because it’s in print.  Yes, read critically and compare what you read with the Bible.  The Bible is a kingdom leader’s primary textbook on leadership.

The Bible contains ageless leadership principles and wisdom.  The Bible is cross-cultural and cross-generational.  Always share thoughts and insights from God’s Word as the Holy Spirit helps you discern the need of those you are influencing.  Listen carefully to Him and He will guide you.

What have you been talking about recently.  Is it a recent fad or what’s popular?  Or have you been sharing with others God’s truths and His wisdom for leaders?

Posted in #1 KNOW- How a Leader Thinks, #3 DO - What a Leader Does and tagged , , , , , , , , ,
26 Jan 2015

Simple or Simplistic?

General Colin Powell [Chairman (Ret.), Joint Chiefs of Staff] in his work, “A Leadership Primer” describes the following principle:

“Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers, who can cut through argument, debate, and doubt, to offer a solution everybody can understand.”

Complexity and its accompanying confusion are often challenges for good leadership. The more responsibility one has the greater the challenges one must address. These challenges are frequently very complex with multiple consequences both real and imagined. How does a leader lead with simplicity without becoming simplistic?

A leader must listen carefully to all sides of a complex issue, not jumping too quickly to conclusions or solutions and thinking through possible consequences. It is a must to withhold judgment on a matter, especially for the intuitive leader, until others on the team have weighed in with their thoughts or have had time to input their ideas. Bringing the team to a point of decision together is an art form to be developed. Know your team members and their respective styles and lead accordingly.

Practice speaking is short, concise sentences. Try to use fewer words. Think in terms of memorable sounds bites and share accordingly. Speak in terms of word pictures that can create mental images for others to clarify the complex and make it simpler and memorable.

Beware of becoming overly simplistic on an issue. The simple becomes simplistic when we leave out essential points or ignore key factors. Simple is good….simplistic is bad!

It addressing complexity seek to break the issue into more manageable parts. Address some of the easier parts first to create a sense of progress and momentum on the team so that you can have more confidence when dealing with the more difficult pieces. Work off of the 80/20 rule where 80% of a solution can be enough to move forward, rather than spending a lot of time and energy to hammer out the final 20%.

Are you communicating in a way that leads to simplicity or complexity and confusion? Ask your teammates for some feedback on your communication.

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19 Jan 2015

A Leader’s Optimism

General Colin Powell [Chairman (Ret.), Joint Chiefs of Staff] in his work, “A Leadership Primer” describes the following principle:

“Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.”

People and ‘smell’ a phony a mile away. A leader who is out of touch with reality, denying the obvious, or living in a fantasy is quickly dismissed.

But a leader who acknowledges the real challenges faced and sees a bigger solution is one who builds confidence in those they lead. Romans 8:31 says, “…If God is for us, then who can be against us?”

This was the situation Elisha faced when surrounded by an army whose mission it was to capture him. His servant could not see any resources available to deal with this real threat. Elisha however saw God’s resources and pointed his servant to the answer that was right in front of him. He said, “Don’t be afraid. Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” (2 Kgs 6:16)

A leader’s optimism and confidence is God will ripple into the hearts and minds of those around them. It will energize and inspire those who we follow to keep moving forward when we all feel like giving up because of the difficulties we face.

Likewise, pessimism and doubt from a leader is also multiplied as it ripples to those we lead. Those we lead do not necessarily have the experience, maturity, or understanding of the context that we do. Therefore they hear a discouraging word from us their leader and run to the end of their “what if” thinking, spiraling downward as they go. “Well, if this happens, then this… And then this….and this…” Those scenarios almost always are negative and leading us to thinking about the disaster that awaits us.

An optimistic leader is one whose confidence is in God and His resources, not is our own abilities or the resources that we can see. Being confident that God is with us and not forsake us is enough.

What’s the image you are projecting around you? Is is an optimistic tone and environment you are creating?

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12 Jan 2015
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Recruiting and Retaining the Best

General Colin Powell [Chairman (Ret.), Joint Chiefs of Staff] in his work, “A Leadership Primer” describes the following principle:

“Organization doesn’t accomplish anything. Plans don’t accomplish anything either. Theories of management don’t much matter. Endeavors succeed or fail because of the people involved. Only by attracting the best people will you accomplish great deeds.”

How does a leader attract and recruit the best people to accomplish great things? Here are several of my thoughts:

1. Ask God to give you people to help you accomplish what He has asked you to do. People are a gift from Him. John 17:6

2. Have a clear and compelling vision that is big enough to grab someone’s attention, challenge their status quo, and attract them to join you in making that vision a reality.

3. Recruit to vision, not activity!

4. Don’t be afraid to ask busy, competent people to join with you in making this a vision come true. Be bold! James 4:2

5. Promise to lead and care for them well. Deliver on your promise.

6. Promise to develop them for contribution, not role or title. Deliver on your promise.

7. Trust that God will sovereignly bring people across your path to help you. 1 Chron. 12:22

8. Ask people to make a decision – does God want you with us or not? What does God want you to do with this decision?

9. Don’t let the decision linger with not deadline. Don’t rush it, but don’t let it go on forever either.

10. Celebrate the person’s response. If with you – great! If God has said no to this offer –great! We only want what God wants for you!

Are you asking God for the best possible people or are you simple looking for anyone with a pulse? Ask Him to give you His best!

Posted in #2 BE - Who a Leader Is, #3 DO - What a Leader Does and tagged , , , , , , , ,
15 Dec 2014

The New Testament ‘Overseer’ Leader

In First Timothy Paul lays out a very clear list of qualities for Timothy to use in appointing overseers for local leadership.  This list is both descriptive and prescriptive, depending upon our application of it, as we think about the qualifications for Kingdom leadership.

1 Timothy 3:1-7
Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. 2Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. 5(If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) 6He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.

The Role of Overseer

Overseer; Bishop – ‘episkope’  –  one who inspects, oversees with the aim to help

• note that one can set their heart on becoming a spiritual leader; godly ambition vs selfish ambition

• “task” = “office” – emphasis on the work of an overseer, not upon the position

• Acts 20:28 – Holy Spirit raises up overseers for His Church

• Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5 – elders were appointed

• 1 Peter 5:1-5 – elders functioned as shepherds

• 1 Timothy 5:17 – elders are rulers; functioned as preachers and teachers

Qualities of New Testament Overseers

1) Above reproach
– blameless
– not just clean, but clean enough that they won’t even be accused

2) Husband of one wife
– probably refers to not having more than one wife at a time; that is, not polygamous
– note that this assumes the overseers are men

3) Temperate
– not controlled or influenced by intoxicants
– this could relate to drug use of any kind (i.e. alcohol, other addictive drugs)

4) Self-controlled
– sober-minded, sensible, prudent
– not controlled or influenced by anything other than a sound mind  (2 Timothy 1:7)

5) Respectable
– having good behavior, modest, admired by others

6) Hospitable
– able to make guests feel comfortable and at home
– Isaiah 60:11 – a promise for hospitality

7) Able to teach
– a skilled teacher of the Word;ability to pass on truth in a simple, easy to understand manner (2 Timothy 2:15, 24)

8) Not given to drunkenness
– not addicted to wine or intoxicating drinks to the point of loss of self control

9) Not violent
– not pugnacious
– not a fighter – probably related to physical violence  (see #11)

10) Gentle
– patient with those who oppose
– kind in relation to dealings with others, able to build harmony (2 Timothy 2:25)

11) Not quarrelsome
– not divisive or contentious
– builder of harmony rather than divisions or factions (notice the relationship to # 9)

12) Not a lover of money
– not covetous or pursuing a life built around temporal values
– free from the love of money; content with their economic station in life (Hebrews 13:5)

13) Manages his own family well
– proactively leads with diligence; cares for and watches over
– “family” = wife, children and household

14) His children obey him with proper respect
– children are under control; not rebellious
– children are obedient with respect for the authority of their parent

15) Not a recent convert
– not a novice or someone who is immature in their faith and therefore easily deceived
– someone with enough maturity so that they are not pursuing the position or power (1 Timothy 5:22)

16) Has a good reputation with outsiders
– a good reputation with those not yet in the faith; well thought of by others
– a good witness by word and deed

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