Our 189th Dad in the Limelight is Pastor Ron Edmondson. I want to thank Ron for being a part of this series. It has been great getting connected with him and now sharing him with all of you.
1) Tell me about yourself, (as well as how you are in the limelight for my readers knowledge)
I’m a pastor, church planter and church leadership consultant located in Clarksville, TN near Nashville. I blog regularly at RonEdmondson.com on issues related to church leadership and the family. My blog has been listed as one of the top Christian blogs in the country on several listings.
I am an INTJ personality on the Myers Briggs indicator, which means I have big ideas, love creativity and critical thinking and love to see progress. Since I am usually around people, I crave down time and am usually training for either a half or full marathon.
2) Tell me about your family
I am married to my best friend and we love enjoying life together. We have two grown sons, both actively serving passionate in their walk with Christ. One son is married to a fine Christian woman and works in the field of social media. The other son is a student at Moody Bible College.
3) What has been the largest challenge you have had in being a father?
Honestly, it was letting my boys go. We are incredibly close. I was an intentional dad. Our life centered around their activities. When they moved out it was one of the darkest periods of my life. I miss them. It’s made me realize how short time with them was.
4) What advice would you give to other fathers?
Be intentional. Raise them to be God-fearing adults. Be purposeful with everything you do. Make sure you don’t sacrifice the time with them…that passes so quickly…pursuing dreams you think are for them. What they really want is you.
5) Seeing that you (or your position) are in the limelight, how have you come to balance parenthood and outside life? If you are currently not in the limelight per se, please still answer this in regards to how you balance parenthood and outside life.
I pastor a large church, so my boys were (and still are basically) in the spotlight. I made sure my church knew my family came first. I was intentional to schedule everything, including time with my family. My family understands that I am a pastor, but it was the very rare emergency that broke that commitment.
6) What have you learned from the fathers that you have interacted with?
I’ve learned how many regrets many fathers live with watching as the moms do all the heart connecting with the children. I never wanted that to be me.
7) What else would you share regarding your experiences as a father thus far?
Children love structure. I believe strongly in creating solid boundaries designed to point a child in the way he or she can go and then extending tremendous grace to them along the way.
What have been the most memorable experiences that you have had thus far as a parent?
My boys calling me unexpectedly or asking for my advice…and then actually taking it…always lets me know I’m doing a good job as a dad.
If you have any questions for Ron, please leave a comment here and I will make sure that he gets them so that he may be able to respond!
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