MINISTRY
Three Lessons I’ve Learned in My First Three Years as Lead Pastor at First Christian Church
Three years ago today, Ashley and I stood onstage with our girls as I was introduced as the Lead Pastor at First Christian Church. I stepped into my role full of vision, passion, and maybe just a little bit of naivety. Or a lot. The journey has been both deeply rewarding and incredibly challenging. There have been wins, losses, unexpected plot twists, and moments of sheer exhaustion. But through it all, God has been good and faithful. And I have grown in some ways I never expected.
I’m definitely still a work in progress, but here are three lessons I’ve learned in these three years that I hope will encourage and challenge you, whether you’re a pastor, a leader, or simply someone trying to live faithfully in the calling God has given you.
Why I Believe This Generation of Students Will Change the World
There is a fire rising in this generation. I see it. I feel it. And I believe with everything in me that you - middle school, high school and college students - are on the forefront of something incredible. You aren’t just the future of the Church; you are the Church...
The Principle of Small Things Matter
We often think leadership is about big moments—casting vision, making key decisions, or rallying a team toward a common goal. And while those are certainly crucial, what if I told you that the success or failure of your leadership often hinges on the smallest things?
Finding Peace and Healing in the Aftermath of Betrayal
There are few things as painful as betrayal. When someone you trusted deeply turns against you, the weight is crushing and the pain can feel paralyzing. It’s a wound that cuts deeper than most, leaving you questioning everything from the relationship itself to your...
Navigating Political Differences: How to Protect Relationships and Keep the Peace
We live in a time when – more than ever before – political differences are creating deep divisions even among close family and friends. Conversations quickly turn heated, relationships feel strained, and it can be tempting to cut people off altogether to avoid the tension. But followers of Jesus are called to something higher. How do you protect a relationship – or repair one that has been damaged by a disagreement related to opposing political views or convictions?
Six Principles to Make 2024 Your Best Year Ever
Here we are, closing out another year and just like the past few, this one has been a crazy ride. It's safe to say that almost all of us have experienced some highs and lows this year. But for some of us, "high" and "low" just don't do justice to what we've been...
ABOUT JIMMY
Jimmy McLoud is the Lead Pastor of First Christian Church in Canton, Ohio. His passion – and the vision of First Christian – is to share the good news that Jesus is for all people by helping them find hope, purpose, and a place to belong. He serves on the Board of Directors for The Solomon Foundation and on the Advisory Team for The Unstuck Group. Jimmy and his wife, Ashley, live in North Canton with their four kids: Braylon, Carter, Ellie, and Grace.