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Barberton Municipal Judge McKenney rejoins the pulpit
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: September 5, 2018
Barberton Municipal Court Judge Todd McKenney is known for his political and legal accomplishments on and off the bench, but what some people may not know is that Judge McKenney is also a licensed and ordained pastor who recently took on the role of interim senior pastor at the Akron Chinese Christian Church.
“Our former pastor Wei-Ling Wang stepped down in early spring because of health issues,” said Judge McKenney. “I stepped in to fill the position while the church finds someone to replace the former pastor, which will likely take time because of the requirement that the person must speak Mandarin.”
Judge McKenney, who has a minimal understanding of the language, is relying on translators as well as English-speaking members of the church to help him breach the language gap.
“My role of interim pastor is much like a board leadership position because it is unpaid and will be temporary,” said Judge McKenney.
While he began his new position at the Akron Chinese Christian Church on June 3, he was officially installed on Aug. 12 during the church’s regular Sunday morning worship service.
Assistant Pastor David Doty said he is grateful for Judge McKenney’s willingness to serve.
“Pastor McKenney possesses vibrant faith and he loves telling people about the love of Jesus Christ,” said Doty. “He has a longstanding relationship with our church and many of our members.
“I look forward to learning from his expertise and experience in the ministry,” Doty said.
Born and raised in Akron, Judge McKenny received his bachelor’s degree in political science from Hiram College and his juris doctor from The Ohio State University College of Law in 1989.
He began his legal career as a judicial law clerk to the late U.S. District Court Judge David Dowd Jr., who served in the Northern District of Ohio, later taking a job as an associate at Black McCuskey Souers & Arbaugh.
It was during his time at the firm that he began volunteering at The Chapel in Akron.
“They hired me as an intern and offered me a chance to get my theological degree,” said Judge McKenney. “I initially went half time at the law firm and about a year later I decided to go full time at the church.”
He served at The Chapel from 1994 through 2007, during which time he was named Mercy & Justice Pastor.
Judge McKenney, who lives in New Franklin with his wife Bethany and their two children Selah and Nathan, said his faith serves as his anchor.
“It guides my thoughts and lets me know what is really important,” said Judge McKenney. “My key values of honesty, courage and love are grounded in my faith.”
When he left the church, he went back to private practice, handling estate planning, probate and trust administration at McKenney & Gingrich Co.
Prior to being appointed Summit County Probate Court judge by Gov. John Kasich in 2011, Judge McKenney was a member of the New Franklin City Council and served as a state representative in the 43rd District of Ohio.
Judge McKenney served as probate court judge through 2012. Afterwards, he joined the law firm Leiby, Hanna, Rasnick, Towne, Evanchan, Palmisano & Hobson.
In 2014, Judge McKenney returned to the bench after being appointed to serve as a judge on the Barberton Municipal Court by Gov. Kasich, where he filled the seat vacated by Judge Christine Croce after she was named to the Summit County Common Pleas Court.
Later that year, he was elected to the Summit County Court of Common Pleas General Division.
In 2017 Judge McKenney returned to Barberton Municipal Court after once again being appointed by Gov. Kasich. This time he filled the remainder of Judge Jill Flagg Lanzinger’s term.
In November 2017, Judge McKenney was elected to a full six-year term at the court, which ends in 2023.
Over the years the judge has served on a number of nonprofit boards, including The Chapel.
It was during his many years at The Chapel that he first became familiar with the Akron Chinese Christian Church.
“The congregation would meet inside The Chapel and they had their offices there as well,” Judge McKenney said. “For the past several years, I’ve been a guest preacher at the church.
“I’ve seen a lot of growth in the church,” he said. “We have about 150 members, whose ages vary. I am happy to step up and assist in any way I can as the church transitions to a new pastor.”