7 Questions with Ron Edmondson
Name: Ron Edmondson
Current title: Intentional Interim Pastor, Consultant and Coach
Current organisations: First Baptist Clarksville and ronedmondson.com
I have a diversified background. I have been a senior leader in the marketplace, government, nonprofits and the local church.
At the age of 38, I entered vocational ministry. Starting with no “plan”, God provided and I served 4 churches in 16 years (2 established churches and 2 church plants). God blessed with success in each one.
I had the honor of serving as CEO of Leadership Network, an organization that convenes innovative leaders and churches in collaborative conversations to accelerate growth and innovation.
I am self-employed again rebuilding the consulting practice I have had for almost 20 years as well as serving as the intentional interim pastor of a 180+ year old church.
1. What have you found most challenging as a church leader?
Balancing the range of opinions, desires, and preferences. There are those who want you to support causes that are divisive issues, for example. Those who want you to “go deeper” in preaching. Those who want very traditional music and those who want very modern music. Seems like there is a constant pull in many directions.
2. How did you become a church leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?
Well, it isn’t brief. It is probably a longer story than this forum will allow or readers would want to read. Seriously, it was years of wrestling with my desires to lead in the business/community worlds and God’s desire for me to lead in the church. Eventually, God won. He always does.
3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?
I try to segment my days. It’s impossible to be all things to all people, so I try to break up my week so that each day has a unique focus - message prep, meetings with church members, meetings with staff, planning/dreaming, etc. Then I break down each of those days into smaller, digestible chunks of time. And I make a checklist every day.
4. What one book had the most profound impact on your church leadership? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted your leadership?
Sounds obvious, but I really have learned more from the Bible about leadership than any other book. Consider in John 2 where Jesus made a whip before Jesus cleared the temple. Talk about a lesson in anger-management and conflict resolution.
5. What's the most recent significant leadership lesson you've learned?
I only know what I know. I need to ask better questions.
6. How do you develop a healthy leadership pipeline in a church?
Invest in a few who invest in a few - and systematize that process.
7. If you had to pick just one story, what would be the most meaningful story from your time as a church leader so far?
There are many, but when someone I didn’t know was listening tells me I made a difference in their life. Humbles me every time.