Pastor Ryan Macdonald is the Lead Pastor of The City Church & St. Anthony’s, a multi-campus church based in Batavia, NY. With over 20 years of ministry experience, he is passionate about faith, family, and community outreach. His journey in ministry started as a young boy setting up chairs for church services on his family’s lawn. Today, he leads with humility, vision, and a deep commitment to discipleship. Ryan is dedicated to empowering the next generation and making faith a lived experience. When he’s not serving the church, he enjoys spending time with his wife Samantha and their two sons, who actively serve alongside him. He also has an interest in real estate and lifelong learning.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
Every day starts with prayer and reading scripture. Before I do anything, I need to center myself on what truly matters. Then, I spend time planning my day, whether it’s preparing a sermon, meeting with church members, or organizing outreach efforts. My afternoons are usually filled with community work, mentoring, or family time. Productivity isn’t just about checking off tasks—it’s about making sure what I do aligns with my purpose.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I believe ideas come to life through action and collaboration. Whenever I have a vision for something new—whether it’s a church initiative or a community outreach program—I share it with my team and get their feedback. We pray over it, plan carefully, and then take small, intentional steps to make it happen. Vision without execution is just a dream.
What’s one trend that excites you?
The way younger generations are seeking authentic faith. People are done with surface-level religion—they want something real. They want truth, connection, and purpose. That excites me because it means the church has an opportunity to step up, be more transparent, and build genuine relationships.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Consistency. Whether it’s prayer, planning, or how I approach ministry, I stick to a routine. I don’t believe in waiting for motivation—I believe in discipline. Show up, even when you don’t feel like it.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Don’t rush the process. I used to want everything to happen quickly, but I’ve learned that growth takes time. Be patient, trust God, and stay faithful in the small things. Everything else will fall into place.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
That social media has made people lonelier, not more connected. Everyone is “connected,” but fewer people are truly seen and heard. The best conversations don’t happen in a comment section—they happen face-to-face.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Start your day with scripture and prayer. It sets the tone for everything. Before you check your phone, check in with God.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I take a step back. Sometimes, I go for a walk, sometimes I pray, sometimes I just sit in silence. The world moves fast, but we don’t always have to keep up. Slowing down helps me refocus on what truly matters.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Being available. Ministry isn’t a 9-to-5 job. People don’t schedule their struggles—they just happen. Making time for people, really listening, and being present has made the biggest difference in my leadership.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Early on, I tried to do too much on my own. I thought leadership meant carrying everything. I burned out quickly. I learned that delegation isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom. Now, I trust my team and give others opportunities to lead.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
A community-based mentorship program where young people are paired with older mentors who can guide them through life and faith. So many young people need guidance, and there’s so much wisdom in the generations before them.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Evernote. It helps me keep track of sermon ideas, scripture notes, and meeting insights. I like that I can organize my thoughts and access them anywhere.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer. It changed the way I think about time, rest, and faith. We live in a culture that glorifies busyness, but real spiritual growth happens when we slow down.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I recently rewatched The Chosen. It’s one of the best portrayals of Jesus I’ve ever seen. It brings scripture to life in a way that’s relatable and powerful.
Key learnings
- Faith comes before everything. Starting the day with prayer and scripture helps align purpose with action.
- Authenticity and connection matter. People crave real relationships, not just digital interactions.
- Leadership means trusting others. Trying to do everything alone leads to burnout—building a strong team is key.