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.
The Seven Deadly Sins: What They Are and How to Beat Them (Three Minute Theology)
The Seven Deadly Sins quietly work against our spiritual growth, wreck our relationships, and leave us wondering why life feels off and why God feels distant. But here’s the good news: we don’t have to be stuck in these patterns forever. Jesus came to set us free. So let’s dive into what these sins are and, more importantly, how we can kick them to the curb.
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?
“How Can God Be Everywhere At Once?” (Three Minute Theology)
Three Minute Theology is a series of blog posts, each designed to offer a quick but meaningful look at a subject related to God and faith - something you can read in just a few minutes but reflect on for much longer. Think of this as a starting point, not the full...
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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 as a Ministry Consultant for The Unstuck Group. Jimmy and his wife, Ashley, live in North Canton with their four kids: Braylon, Carter, Ellie, and Grace.