Ron Edmondson

JULY 30, 2011

I previously posted this several years ago, before we were empty-nesters. I believe more in it today than I did then. Sadly, as someone who studies marriages, I see more and more marriages that are just going through the routines of marriage without really enjoying the journey. At the same time, I do know couples who have learned how to make their marriage work for the good of both spouses and are truly enjoying life together.

Tips 70

Tips Learning-by-Doing Delegation Planning 70

Ron Edmondson

JULY 11, 2011

Recently I started the conversation about mentoring here on my blog. I’m still soliciting feedback through a mentoring survey. (You can help out with that HERE.). Mentoring appears to be a need in many people’s minds these days. You will see that clearly when I share the results of the survey, which should be later this week. I know it’s on my mind a great deal more than usual.

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Mentor Survey Resistance Learning-by-Doing 65

Ron Edmondson

JULY 7, 2011

A young college-aged girl told me recently that she didn’t enjoy reading her Bible and asked if there was an alternative book. Well…no! This is THE BOOK! There is no substitute. There are plenty of great Christian books, but none compare to this one. I’ve heard similar concerns many times. The Bible intimidates many people; even those who are avid readers of other books.

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Letter Maturity Books Consultative 64

Ron Edmondson

JULY 21, 2011

Last year at Catalyst Conference , I attended a breakout with 3DM , a ministry which helps pastors and churches think about the importance and future of discipleship. I had participated in a pilot coaching program Catalyst was conducting and this breakout talked about some of that experience. The one thing which impacted me most was a slide that was shown.

Development 61

Development Reference Media Conference 61

Ron Edmondson

JULY 20, 2011

Bad culture eats good vision… I don’t know who said it first. I’ve heard it several times. I’d love to give credit for it’s author, but I just don’t know. I do know the phrase helps shape my thoughts as a leader… Bad culture eats good vision… You can have the greatest vision… You can have an incredible plan… You can be cleverly strategic… You can have the best of intentions… But… Bad culture eats good vision… Eve

Resistance 60

Resistance Morale Planning Leadership 60

Ron Edmondson

JULY 14, 2011

This week we’ve talked about mentoring. Please take a few minutes and complete my mentoring survey if you haven’t already. You’ll find it HERE. I’ll be sharing results of that survey soon. In this series, I’ve written about: The 5 Types of Mentors. 5 Questions to Help You Know What to do with a Mentor. Why I (You) Need a Mentor.

Mentor 60

Mentor Survey Commitment Follow-up 60

Ron Edmondson

JULY 8, 2011

I explained recently that I have a new heart stirring. You can read about it HERE. About the time I started considering some of this new direction for my ministry, (it’s actually an addition to my ministry since I’m not leaving the one I have now) along came a book in the mail by Tom Watson called “ Man Shoes “ Wow! Talk about perfect timing!

Books 56

Books Loyalty Learning-by-Doing Influence 56

Ron Edmondson

JULY 18, 2011

I am frequently asked about leadership in smaller churches. When I write about team development, delegating, and church growth issues, many pastors of smaller churches wonder how it all relates to their situation. That’s why this guest post by Daniel Darling appealed to me. Daniel is Senior Pastor of Gages Lake Bible Church in the northwest suburbs of Chicago.

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Learning-by-Doing Delegation Download Magazine 55

Ron Edmondson

JULY 31, 2011

Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction , your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:20-21. These verses aren’t my life verses…maybe they should be….

Travel 55

Travel Training How To 55

Ron Edmondson

JULY 20, 2011

People ask all the time…How do you do everything you do? Well, honestly, I don’t feel I’m doing everything I should be doing, but, one secret is that I maintain a healthy exercise program. It fuels my creative thoughts… It keeps me feeling at my best… It builds my confidence… It helps me sleep better at night… There are other things I do…I believe in attempting to maintain total health…physical, spiritual, mental, relational…but this on

Video 53

Video Creativity Succession Planning 53

Ron Edmondson

JULY 9, 2011

The LORD our God said to us at Horeb, “You have stayed long enough at this mountain. Deuteronomy 1:6 NIV. Moses had led the people out of Egypt. Along the way, they were scared, ready to turn around and go back into slavery. God had parted the Red Sea, led the people through on dry ground, drowned the Egyptians, and landed them safely at Horeb, the mountain of God.

Planning 52

Planning Commitment 52

Ron Edmondson

JULY 12, 2011

This week I’m trying to stir some conversation about mentoring. There appears to be growing interest in the subject. Most recognize they have some need for mentoring in their life. I’ll share my survey on mentoring with you soon. If you haven’t yet, go HERE and take the survey. It takes less than 5 minutes. I posted HERE about the 5 types of mentors I’ve experienced.

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Mentor Survey Learning-by-Doing Reference 52

Ron Edmondson

JULY 22, 2011

When I have complaints or criticism I ask a question: Is it individual or representative? In other words: Is it one person with an problem or is it multiple people? Is it a personal issue or a public issue? Does this complaint or criticism represent one person’s opinion or is it representative of a larger number of people? The answer is critical before responding.

Team 51

Team Leadership 51

Ron Edmondson

JULY 31, 2011

Here’s a secret to having a more productive week: Spend 30 minutes Sunday afternoon or evening, or even early Monday morning, planning your week. Give everything you have to do an estimated time and place it on your calendar. Make sure you allot time for recreation, exercise and family. Even schedule some time to read and/or dream. Then try…as hard as you can…to work the plan.

Productivity 49

Productivity Products Efficiency Planning 49

Ron Edmondson

JULY 18, 2011

If a “leader&# … Always has to be feared… Always has to have the final word… Always has to be coddled… Never empowers others… Never takes ownership for a mistake… Never steps up to lead… Then he or she is not a leader… May have a title… May be the boss… May have power… May draw a larger paycheck… But is not a leader… In fact, in my opinion, he or she may even need to get out of the way and let someone lead…

Micromanagement 49

Micromanagement Power Team Leadership 49

Ron Edmondson

JULY 27, 2011

I have lots of Twitter followers. I love the connections I’ve made on Twitter and always open to new connections. I decided early in my Tweeting days to follow every legitimate person who follows me. That allows for direct messages, which, to keep down the amount of Tweets I send per day, is how I mostly communicate on Twitter. With the addition of Google+ (You can find me HERE.) to the social media world, my Twitter follower growth seems to have slowed, but I’ve noticed more followe

Follow-up 47

Follow-up Media Innovation 47

Ron Edmondson

JULY 16, 2011

Related posts: Shai Agassi: Pursuing a Dream. One Piece of Advice for Want-To-Be Church Planters. 7 Pieces of Advice for Pastors.

Advice 56

Advice 56

Ron Edmondson

JULY 1, 2011

I did men’s ministry for many years before I went into vocational ministry. Recently I felt led to address the young men in our church. One Saturday morning, I invited men aged 35 and under to join me as I shared some thoughts with them. Basically I said to them what I wish had been said to me at that age. The response from the guys who attended has been amazing.

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Mentor Resources Process Advice 47

Ron Edmondson

JULY 6, 2011

I once had a dream… I kept it to myself… I never developed a plan… I never took a step towards it… I never took a risk… I never walked by faith… I never moved forward with my dream… I only dreamed… It was a great dream… But, it’s not a dream anymore… It’s simply a memory of a dream… Ever happen to you?

Planning 46

Planning Development 46

Ron Edmondson

JULY 2, 2011

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.&# John 15:12. As believers, loving others is not to be an option, it’s to be a lifestyle. No one does that better than my wife Cheryl. Recently we were on a 3 1/2 hour flight to San Francisco. I was in the window seat, Cheryl was in the middle, and a woman we didn’t know was in the aisle seat.

Follow-up 46

Follow-up Examples Course Information 46

Ron Edmondson

JULY 21, 2011

In my LAST POST , I introduced the concept of a discipling culture being high invitation and high challenge. I believe this is the example Jesus set for us. (Read the previous post for further explanation.) In John 8, for example, Jesus said to the woman caught in adultery, “He who is without sin cast the first stone&# and “Neither do I condemn you.&# That’s high invitation.

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Learning-by-Doing Goal Brand Examples 45

Ron Edmondson

JULY 6, 2011

Responsiveness is extremely important in leadership and organizational health. It’s one of the non-negotiables for teams I lead. (I wrote about those non-negotiables HERE.) Being responsive shows that a leader cares for others, recognizes their value, and is disciplined enough to follow through. There are times, however, when I believe responsiveness is not only the wise or right thing to do, critical in terms of protecting the relationship.

Delegation 45

Delegation Micromanagement Crisis Fashion 45

Ron Edmondson

JULY 28, 2011

It’s been almost a year since I first heard of Rick Warren’s vision to plant and assist hundreds (maybe it’s thousands)of churches in the next 10 years. After hearing his heart and vision, if I were beginning a ministry career or even in a time of transition and felt God was calling me to be a church planter today, I would strongly consider attending the Saddleback Leadership Academy.

Leadership 44

Leadership Leadership Pipeline Advertising Participative 44

Ron Edmondson

JULY 17, 2011

I was talking with a young man at church today. He’s been married a couple years and is still learning how to understand his wife, and more importantly, how to communicate with her. I think he actually thought I’d figured things out by now. Silly boy! His dilemma? He had an example: His wife got a new haircut. She wasn’t sure she liked it.

Course 43

Course Learning-by-Doing Examples How To 43

Ron Edmondson

JULY 16, 2011

I have had a distant love and attraction to the city of New Orleans since hurricane Katrina and the aftermath devastated that city in 2005. Before Grace Community Church officially launched, we wrote our first check to relief efforts in that city. I was in New Orleans for the first time earlier this week. I spent a couple days visiting our student ministry team who were there on a mission trip.

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Hotels Class Team 42

Ron Edmondson

JULY 12, 2011

I’m updating a post. Yesterday I posted 4 types of mentors. Read it HERE (updated of course). I can’t believe I missed one…or that no one else caught my obvious error. I grew up without a close relationship with my father. I missed the investment a father makes in the life of his son. As a result, I’ve tried my best to invest in my sons, but I guess because it wasn’t a great part of my story I missed it.

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Mentor Advice Course Succession 39

Ron Edmondson

JULY 30, 2011

The wise woman builds her house…. (Proverbs 14:1). If you want to build a house… It takes a plan…. It takes diligence…. It requires the right materials…. It takes time…. It involves sleepless nights… It requires discipline… It’s not done in front of the television or computer… It’s not cheap…. It will stretch your heart…in various directions… It will not always make you the popular parent… It will require sacrifice… It’s not easy&

Planning 37

Planning 37

Ron Edmondson

JULY 13, 2011

“Surely I am too stupid to be a man. I have not the understanding of a man.&# Proverbs 30:2. I’ve got pastoral intern this summer named Dan Dominguez. Dan and I have been able to hang out some the last month or so and I have enjoyed our time together. He attends Moody Bible Institute, where he is studying to be a pastor and is a good friend of my son Nate.

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Mentor Planning Leadership 36

Ron Edmondson

JULY 30, 2011

What if this week, instead of taking the problems of this world as your own, you saw them as temporary problems…momentary bumps on an eternal road…??? What if you chose not to dwell on the tragedy of life, but on the triumph of eternal life? What if you memorized this verse? Here is this week’s memory verse: But our citizenship is in heaven.

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Ron Edmondson

JULY 26, 2011

Chances are good by now you’ve seen this. It happened down the road from me. I don’t know this pastor, but I may need to invite him to lunch sometime. Just so you know, this is not a typical Tennessee prayer. It certainly brings attention to the fact that we do pray! What thoughts come to your mind with this prayer? Related posts: My Advice When Pursuing a God-given Dream.

Advice 35

Advice Leadership How To 35

Ron Edmondson

JULY 9, 2011

Just for the record, our marriage is fine.in fact…it’s probably never been better… But…that doesn’t mean we don’t have disagreements. Actually, our differences are what make us a stronger couple. (As long as we can laugh about them occasionally ). Help us solve our current difference of opinion (like you’re opinion will matter any more than mine did ).

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Consultative Course 35

Ron Edmondson

JULY 23, 2011

Have two people who are each willing to give more than they receive… Works for marriages too… Related posts: Why divorce is so prevalent? What can be done about it? Introducing RefineUs Marriage Ministry. Marriage Moment: 5 Questions That Could Help All Marriages.

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Ron Edmondson

JULY 13, 2011

I get a request about once a month from a man or woman. “Pastor can you convince my wife (or husband) to stay?&#. Sadly, I’ve lost a few friends this way. They wanted me to have magical words or supernatural powers of persuasion. The reality is it seldom works. In years of doing this I’ve learned: I can’t change a heart. There are no magic words.

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Power How To 35

Ron Edmondson

JULY 31, 2011

As we continue our Mark series this summer, recently I addressed the story of the rich young man…or as some call it…the rich young ruler. This story has always intrigued me, because Jesus says some things that stretch my mind. Have you ever seen wealth cloud someone’s judgement? Related posts: Storm Calmer: Jesus in the Boat – A Sermon.

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Ron Edmondson

JULY 25, 2011

If you don’t know, I’m somewhat of a dreamer…a big thinker… I always have a new idea. Here are the domain names I own or I’ve purchased recently. I have vague ideas for each of them, but much of it is still a work in progress. When you see the name, what thoughts come to mind? LeadCamp.net. Leadation.com. LeadManly.com.

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Blog 34

Ron Edmondson

JULY 23, 2011

Probably the most important question ever asked in the Bible. Here is this week’s memory verse: ““But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”” Matthew 16:15-16 NIV. How do you answer? Related posts: Scripture Memorization, Week 23. Scripture Memorization, Week 21.

Simon 34

Simon 34

Ron Edmondson

JULY 13, 2011

“Surely I am too stupid to be a man. I have not the understanding of a man.&# Proverbs 30:2. I’ve got pastoral intern this summer named Dan Dominguez. Dan and I have been able to hang out some the last month or so and I have enjoyed our time together. He attends Moody Bible Institute, where he is studying to be a pastor and is a good friend of my son Nate.

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Mentor Planning Leadership 33