Thinking about Ministry in Orlando

Thursday July 17, 2008 ~ 15 Comments

Whenever I come to Orlando, I end up thinking about life and ministry.

Today was a day like that. After I finished teaching class, my daughter and I did a little tour and I shared with her part of her dad's (and her mom's) journey. She seemed interested, but it might have been the promise of ice cream along the way.

I was born and reared in New York and list that as "home" on forms that ask. However, Orlando has a lot of memories for me. I lived here as a teenager and had some significant milestones during those years:

1. I came to Christ in Orlando.
2. I was discipled here (in a new church plant as a teenager).
3. I met my wife in High School. We were high school sweethearts and even went to the prom together.
4. My sister died here (in 1987).
5. I grew greatly in my faith through, and in some cases because of, those things.

So, today I went by my old house (which was just torn down), the restaurant where I had my first date with Donna, my sister's memorial garden, and some other meaningful places with my daughter.

Being in Orlando makes me wish it was a simpler time when I did not have to worry about books and research, the challenges of denominational structures, who has this-or-that agenda, what event I was speaking at next, or what I had to say (or not say) at the next place.

I miss those days when things were simpler and it seemed that the big concerns were loving God, growing in faith, and helping others do the same. I am sure it was not as simple as I remember, but coming to Orlando makes me wish it was.

Being here makes me want to go back in time, grab a guitar (yes, I play, though not well), and go start a church with nothing but God, a Bible, and a mission...

So, pardon my musings. It was just a good day. It reminded me of what really matters... and it prompts me to adjust some things in my own life today and over the next few months.

Posted on July 17, 2008 at 8:53 PM ~ 15 Comments

Tagged with: family, personal, teaching

Subscribe via RSS or Follow us on Twitter

Share This Post

15 Comments

By Jason Hayes on July 17, 2008 10:46 PM

This is the best post I've ever read on your blog (and there have been some greats.) We all need a healthy kick in the pants reminder occasionally as to what this all about - loving God and loving people. Good words, brother.

By Micah Fries on July 17, 2008 11:33 PM

It's funny how we can love simplicity so much and yet find ourselves bogged down in minutia (albeit important minutia - how's that for a contradiction) isn't it? I spent some time this week thinking through just the same sort of thing.

Thanks for the post Ed. It resonates with me.

By david eaton on July 18, 2008 12:18 AM

"Loving God, growing in faith and helping others do the same."

Thanks Ed for a great reminder about what's important. Sometimes it's easy to confuse the means and tools that we use to accomplish these things and forget what the ends are. Thanks for the reminder.

By Ron Sylvia on July 18, 2008 5:21 AM

Ed,

Wow! Thanks for this post. It brought me back to growing up in Orlando as well.

1. I came to Christ in Orlando at 21.
2. I was discipled there (at FBC/Orlando).
3. I met my wife in Orlando.

And a lot of other parallels. Orlando was a place of spiritual foundation for me. It truly was a beginning of my life.

It seems the older we get, the faster is goes, and the more valuable reflection is in our lives. You have helped me to reflect and recalibrate my own heart today.

Knock it out of the park this weekend at The Springs. Praying for you brother!

Ron Sylvia

By Jim Culbertson on July 18, 2008 6:38 AM

Ed,

Seems this age and phase of life has those of us our age in the busiest years of our lives looking back and remembering the simplier times. With aging parents, teenage kids, lots of denom concerns and planters and plants to love and nuture - age 16 sure looks great again...but back to future and the second half of life. Let's make it even better than the first!

By Camey on July 18, 2008 7:19 AM

Ed,

Sounds as if you've had a marker put down. The real question now is what are you going to do about it from here? It's not a coincidence you had that type of experience yesterday - nor that you blogged about it.

Praise God, Ed. Praise God! As Steve Sjogren and I have been discussing - be willing to risk today. God is there in the struggle.. in the fight.. and He is victorious! Not because of any denomination... but because He is simply God.

May we be guilty of seeing Him today and helping others notice Him in the moments wherever we may be.

Praying for all who read whether they comment or not.

By Robbie on July 18, 2008 8:14 AM

Be still...and know that I am God!

What a great way to start a Friday...normally for friends...thanks for sharing these thoughts with your friends!

By Ron in Riverside on July 18, 2008 8:19 AM

Dude,
My sentiments exactly! You da Man!

By Larry on July 18, 2008 11:38 AM

Ed,

I didn't know you then, but I knew you (and Donna) when. I've even seen you play the guitar.

Stick with your first loves and your first loves will bless your life.

By Shane L. on July 18, 2008 2:15 PM

I was having very similar thoughts just last night when I heard a song that transported me back to a simpler place and time. Thanks for the post, and for the work that you do.

By Tom Carr on July 18, 2008 4:07 PM

Hi Ed:

Ginger & I are FBC Hendersonvile members and always enjoy your messages. Also, I like the way you share so many personal things about yourself and the family.

We too were high school sweathearts, went to the junior & senior proms together and last week celebrated our 54 wedding anniversary. God has truly blessed us more than we deserve!
Last year we went back to the small town in Ohio where we grew up and saw the houses of our parents and actually went through our old high school. We had not been back inside this building since graduation.
Tom

By Ed Stetzer

on July 18, 2008 10:44 PM

Tom, what a great story. Please come and introduce yourself on a Sunday.

Jim, sage advice.

Thanks to all for the encouragement.

By allen distefano on July 20, 2008 6:03 PM

great post. great perspective Ed.
*My wife's from orlando
*her parents still live there so it's become a special, memorable place for our family to vacation
*her Dad served as a worship pastor their
*it's where we got married. pretty cool! thanks.

By joel carwile on July 25, 2008 11:02 AM

Ed,

I heard you speak at FBC, Bowling Green a few months ago on the Comeback Church theme. Your post about the more important things was refreshing and encouraging. Thank you for all you do for Jesus.

your servant in Christ,
Joel

By Tom Wigginton on August 4, 2008 1:43 PM

Wow, didn't know that about you.

Comment Policy

Comments are welcome on discussion posts. Comments are not moderated but do require a keyword to avoid spam. If this is your first time commenting, please review the comment policy.