Ron Edmondson

OCTOBER 15, 2012

A few weeks ago, someone asked me what my “biggest frustration” is as a leader. As I thought about it, I have to be honest, I have lots. That may point to another area of struggle for me personally…that I’m seldom satisfied…with me or others. In many ways I am still learning the secret of being content, but I like continual improvement and think there is usually room to get better in all areas of our life.

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Ron Edmondson

OCTOBER 25, 2012

What is a key to successful delegation? Don’t just delegate responsibility. Delegate authority. Give people the authority to determine how the work gets completed. In healthy delegation, you have already helped them determine what a win looks like. You helped shape the vision. Now, let them set the tasks to complete the job. Let them determine timing and the players on their team.

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Ron Edmondson

OCTOBER 27, 2012

A student at Covenant Seminary contacted me recently. He’s helping launch a new t-shirt company called WhoopTee. I love seminary students, since I once was one and have a son who will soon be one, so I decided to help. We are giving away 10 custom shirts with the design as shown. No excuses…No fear. There’s a story behind it. Recently our student ministry began discussing how they could share the Gospel with fellow classmates.

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Ron Edmondson

OCTOBER 4, 2012

A young leader asked me recently, “ What has gotten you where you are today? When you look back over your life, what would you attribute most to your success?” Great question. I love people who think. My first thought was to ask, “What success?” When I look back at my life, in many ways, I see a life scarred with personal failures and setbacks.

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Ron Edmondson

OCTOBER 8, 2012

I see part of my role as a senior leader as being a developer of other leaders. In church terms, as much as I am called to make disciples, I am called to disciple disciple-makers. I take this role seriously. I am consistently thinking how I can encourage people around me to be better at what they do. Recently, someone who once worked with me on staff mentioned this intentionality on his blog.

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Ron Edmondson

OCTOBER 23, 2012

Don’t try to copy practices. If you must copy…copy principles. Systematic planning…copy that. Productive meetings…copy that. Celebrating wins…copy that. Embracing healthy conflict…copy that. But… Staff meetings every Tuesday…maybe…maybe not. You need productive meetings, but Monday might be your best day.

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Ron Edmondson

OCTOBER 29, 2012

After the riot in Ephesus (Acts 19:21-41). How did Paul respond? Read it for yourself: After the uproar was over, Paul sent for the disciples, encouraged them, and after saying good-bye, departed to go to Macedonia. And when he had passed through those areas and exhorted them at length, he came to Greece. Acts 20:1-2. That’s the role of a leader in times of crisis.

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Ron Edmondson

OCTOBER 26, 2012

Faith develops. Faith grows. I understand that. None of us have “perfect” faith. Yet, without faith, it’s impossible to please God. (The Bible says so.). If I want to please God, which I do, then I have to be a man of mature faith. There are many times though, if I’m being honest, where my life is defined more by my lack of faith than the strength of my faith.

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Ron Edmondson

OCTOBER 18, 2012

Someone asked, “Why are there politics in the church?” Without trying to be condescending I answered simply… Because there are people in the church. Where people gather…things will often get political. Special interests. Personal agendas. Group platforms. Jockeying for position, power and influence. Sounds like politics to me.

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Ron Edmondson

OCTOBER 11, 2012

Keep a record of the times you’ve messed up. The times you failed. Previously I wrote THIS POST about keeping an encouragement file. You need this too. A failure file is equally important. In fact, it will likely be your greatest teaching tool in the future. I am reminded from the Bible that Rahab never lost her title. She was always known as Rahab the Harlot.

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Ron Edmondson

OCTOBER 17, 2012

Here’s a principle you need to understand in leading a church, team or organization. I see many church planters, pastors, and other leaders who build their organization closely around their own identity. They brand the church or the organization, very closely associated with their personality. When you think of the church…you can’t help but think of them.

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Ron Edmondson

OCTOBER 31, 2012

Recently I preached a message on parenting. A man in the church took notes. In fact, he too great notes. He asked my permission to send his summary to a Boy Scout troop. I asked his permission to share his summary here. A Summary of Parenting Encouragement. Of primary importance is to realize that as parent you have power over the child’s heart. The son likes to be “just like Dad”, the daughter plays “mommy” doing whatever her mother does, and little girls say “I am going to marry Daddy”.

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Ron Edmondson

OCTOBER 24, 2012

The center aisle in a church building. You know, the one that splits the church auditorium down the middle. I thought it was just for weddings. It certainly makes for pretty pictures. Or maybe it was for symmetry. Some people like things equal like that. It turns out there is more than appearance in some churches. I recently talked to some pastors…several in the same week…who pastor divided churches.

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Ron Edmondson

OCTOBER 1, 2012

Lather, rinse and repeat. Lather, rinse and repeat. Lather, rinse and repeat. You’ve no doubt been bored enough in the shower to read the bottle of shampoo, right? Maybe not, but you’ve heard the phrase. If you aren’t sure, grab a bottle of your favorite shampoo and read the direction. I’m still not sure why we need directions for something so simple, but if taken literally, there would be an endless loop of repeating the same steps until the bottle is empty.

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Ron Edmondson

OCTOBER 5, 2012

In an organizational setting, the person I probably drive the craziest is… Someone who is highly structured and detail-oriented. You see, I’m not. Not at all. I am very big picture. I love change. I hate rules. I run from boxes. People who love structure…People who like to know and follow the rules…People who like details that are clearly defined… Our differences may even cause us to frustrate each other.

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Ron Edmondson

OCTOBER 19, 2012

Call me a prophet, but I have the results. Here’s what you may not have known. You’ve seen the commercials. You’ve seen the debates. But it was really only a one candidate race all along. And only one vote was cast. Here’s my prophecy. The votes are in and I’m happy to report. Jesus wins! He is Lord! He is King! He has risen.

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Ron Edmondson

OCTOBER 13, 2012

I read a new detail and was reminded of an old principle…from an old story. Maybe you’ve heard this one: Pharaoh then commanded all his people: “You must throw every son born to the Hebrews into the Nile, but let every daughter live.” (Exodus 1:22 HCSB). But, you know what happened: Now a man from the family of Levi married a Levite woman.

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Ron Edmondson

OCTOBER 14, 2012

Knowing truth does not make one spiritually mature. Knowing the Bible, even memorizing Scripture, does not make one spiritually mature. I have known many in churches who have lots of experience with church, lots of Biblical knowledge, but I wouldn’t consider them spiritually mature. They aren’t self-feeders. They don’t demonstrate the fruit of the spirit.

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Ron Edmondson

OCTOBER 21, 2012

Make it obedient to Christ… 2 Corinthians 10:5. Definition of discipleship. The post Take Every Thought Captive appeared first on Ron Edmondson. Related posts: A Huge Thought from: Everyone Communicates, Few Connect. Grace Community Church Core Values. Will We Be Obedient? An Encouragement to Stay Faithful to God’s Call.

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Ron Edmondson

OCTOBER 10, 2012

I believe giving is a part of discipleship. If we truly develop disciples, we will have no problem funding our churches. If you are a pastor or church leader, however, then you know that church funding is almost always an issue in carrying out the complete vision God gives a church and its leaders. That’s why I”m thankful for the work of guys like my friend Casey Graham.

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Ron Edmondson

OCTOBER 10, 2012

Matt Chandler (Explicit Gospel), Josh Patterson and Eric Geiger (Simple Church) just released a new book this month with B&H Publishing called Creature of the Word. The book looks at the scripture-based beauty of a church that makes everything they do about Jesus and outlines practical steps that church leaders can take to help form a gospel-centered ministry.

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Ron Edmondson

OCTOBER 7, 2012

9.30.12 from ron edmondson on Vimeo. The post Parenting Encouragement: A Sermon appeared first on Ron Edmondson. Related posts: The Marriage Sermon. Faith and Trust: A Sermon Message. Let’s Talk About Love: A Sermon Message. Jonah Chapter 4: A Sermon.

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Ron Edmondson

OCTOBER 28, 2012

10.21.12 from ron edmondson on Vimeo. The post Fear of Rejection: A Sermon appeared first on Ron Edmondson. Related posts: Fear of Failure: Sermon. Faith and Trust: A Sermon Message. Hope: A Sermon Message. The Marriage Sermon.

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Ron Edmondson

OCTOBER 20, 2012

10.14.12 from ron edmondson on Vimeo. The post Fear of Failure: Sermon appeared first on Ron Edmondson. Related posts: Jonah Chapter 3: A Sermon. The Marriage Sermon. Let’s Talk About Love: A Sermon Message. Forgiveness: A Sermon By Nate Edmondson.

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Ron Edmondson

OCTOBER 6, 2012

Dr. John David Laida, my childhood pastor and mentor, preached for me recently. He’s still preaching passionately most every Sunday. We were in a series on the family, so Brother Laida preached on the Christian home. Enjoy! 9.23.12 from ron edmondson on Vimeo. The post The Christian Home: My 93 Year Old Mentor’s Wisdom appeared first on Ron Edmondson.

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