June 3, 2025: The Shepherd's System

It was simple, but genius.

My childhood pastor, Dr. James Gardner, radiated love. And each day, he practiced a specific action which I witnessed when I tagged along with him for two summers during college.

Every afternoon he went to the grocery store and grabbed… a handful of pies.

He would then head out to visit folks. Shut-ins. The sick. The lonely. Dr. Gardner remembered their names and their stories — but he also knew what kind of dessert they liked. Their faces always lit up.

He did this for years, and over time, something remarkable unfolded. The congregation he pastored became known around the city for its compassion.

Dr. Gardner set the example but also created a system for caring. A repeatable rhythm in which others soon joined in. Before long, the culture shifted and the love spread.

When he passed away nearly two decades ago, testimonies of his impact filled the packed funeral. People poured in from every corner of the community, and even from all over the world.

His church still thrives as an influential presence in the area, anchored in the values he helped shape.

I thought about Dr. Gardner today after hearing someone give this definition:

Leadership = Designing an environment

What does that mean to me?

• Focusing on influence more than position

• Building simple frameworks where others thrive and grow

• Creating structures and check-ins so that mission becomes the default

The best leaders are more like architects, and their core work is often invisible. Until one day, it’s not. That’s when people can feel and see the change.

Leadership doesn’t have to be rocket science.

Sometimes, it’s just showing up with pie.