There is a gentleman named Ed, whom I have the privilege of working alongside at Denton Bible Church. He is quickly approaching his thirtieth work anniversary, and as I introduced him to a volunteer group recently, it hit me how unique Ed’s work is for this church. In reality, most people around Denton Bible only know Ed if they sit next to him on a Sunday.
It’s not that those who don’t know him are to blame for not knowing him or what he does or that they are indifferent. It’s just that most of Ed’s work entails many things that are behind the scenes. He’s not out front with a microphone. He’s not checking people in or guiding a discussion. He simply does the many things at Denton Bible that are behind the walls, under the ground, and/or in places that the everyday person doesn’t venture unless they’re repairing a leak, testing a fire alarm, or replacing fixtures, etc.
Close to thirty years of not out-front ministry work with a facilities team has given this great man a powerful leadership orientation.
A leadership orientation that I call shade.
Shade is that aspect of leadership that every leader ought to possess.
What is shade, and how does it relate to the heart of a leader?
Shade is…
- The capacity and contentment to remain anonymous yet still fulfill critical tasks within an organization, family, relationship, church, etc.
- The ability to differentiate work from self, which means not finding a true sense of identity in what one does or accomplishes.
- The diligent work ethic applied to each task because it is the right thing to do.
How Does Shade Relate to the Heart of a Leader?
My family and I like to plant trees on our property. We’re in our second year of planting our “Easter Tree.” Essentially, we plant a tree on Easter Sunday that represents our desire to memorialize and symbolize the life that we receive in Christ. Each year our trees grow, they remind us of our new life in Christ.
The reality is we’re planting trees to provide shade for another family. With each tree planting, I am resolved that the ample shade will not be cast upon me or even my children because they take so long to grow. To be sure, we will enjoy the benefit of the tree for a time. However, I plant the tree anyway because of what it has the potential to produce for someone else–later.
Thus, another aspect of leadership is embracing the inglorious trenches of anonymity for a generation where you will ultimately remain unknown because, in so doing, you cast shade for the benefit and enjoyment of someone else. A shade that will comfort and provide solace in times of trial. A shade that will be, as it were, like a balm in Gilead.
Into this sphere, the heart of a leader invests their lives knowing that the shade they cast is in some small way similar to how the Lord cares for us.
Ed probably wouldn’t want me to mention his name here or write about him this way. In fact, he’d probably laugh it off and move on to the next conversation. He’s a faithful man. He has the heart of a leader. He casts shade for us all–and many more–to find rest. Thank you, Ed.
“I will lift up my eyes to the mountains;
From where shall my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
He will not allow your foot to slip;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, He who keeps Israel
Will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is your keeper;
The Lord is your shade on your right hand.
The sun will not smite you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
The Lord will protect you from all evil;
He will keep your soul.
The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in
From this time forth and forever.
Psalm 121:1-8 [Emphasis mine]
— April 20, 2023