Thursday, May 26, 2016


Leadership, Lordship, Laboring

We were blessed to have the opportunity to have Tom Yeakley join us as our keynote speaker this past April at the Cedarmore Retreat Center just outside of Louisville, KY.

Tom is one of 3 Sphere directors for the Navigators (vice-presidents) and has been very influential in the area of leadership development for the Navigators ministry- not only in the United States but also abroad.

One of the things that I walked away with continuing to think more about was on Tom’s 1st Message on the Privilege of Leadership.   The first part that generated MUCH healthy discussion was in the area of Leadership and ‘Followership’.  In our world today, leadership is looked upon in a very good way- but also ‘hyper-celebrated’.  This is done in such a way that the idea of ‘followership’ is really seems to have no value whatsoever.  But in God’s economy…. The follower AND the leader are BOTH valued highly.  Particularly in the military culture- this idea can be lost.  But as men and women who are pursuing God and helping others to pursue God while being immersed in a military culture- it is important to remember to keep God’s perspective on value.

Good teaching on leadership is a sought after issue for us- as many times it is a topic that just isn’t mentioned enough.  Therefore we were VERY grateful to have Tom and Dan Daetz come and join us for our conference and to talk about this topic.  Here are the 4 points Tom made in his first message.

4 Components of Good Leadership

1.     Set Direction

2.     Align Resources to Direction

3.     Inspire and Motivate

4.     Manage the Work of Others

I particularly enjoyed the 1st point on setting direction.  Setting Direction is the point that answers the ‘why’ we do what we do.  If we can’t help others to see the ‘WHY’ behind what we’re doing and what we’re trying to help others move toward- they won’t decide to do it.  They won’t put their own discretionary effort toward these goals.  But if we can help those we are discipling and leading in gaining clarity toward God’s objectives and goals- each young disciple can move forward with their own conviction, energy, and creativity in reaching the World for Christ.  Therefore, we must each continue to move forward in our own personal walk with God- so that we can continue to point people to Christ- the real, personal, God that we know.... not some distant God who is uninterested and uninvolved.  As we continue personally with Christ, we can connect those who God is allowing us to influence, to connect with Him personally as well.