Category Archives: Church

The Tale of Emanuel Nenger

Posted on June 10, 2026 by russellmckinney

Emanuel Nenger arrived in Hoboken, New Jersey, from Germany sometime around 1876. He got work as a sign painter and eventually bought a farm in Westfield, New Jersey. But all of that was more or less just a front. You … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Commitment, Discipleship, Doing Good, God's Work, Good Works, Individuality, Influence, Ministry, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Stewardship, Talents | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Popcorn Poppers & Irons

Posted on June 8, 2026 by russellmckinney

Some of us are old enough to remember eating popcorn made from a popcorn popper rather than a microwave. We’re also old enough to remember when people not only owned irons but actually used them. The following story stems from … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Church, Communication, Current Events, Discernment, Evangelism, God's Work, Ministry, Music, Personal, Preaching, Priorities, Sunday School, The Gospel, Worship | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Dying Chickens

Posted on May 22, 2026 by russellmckinney

A farmer had 600 chickens. Half of them died and the other half started acting sickly. He called the local agricultural agent, told him the situation, and asked, “What should I do?” The agent said, “You need to give the … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Bible Study, Change, Children, Church, Counsel, Decisions, Disobedience, Dying To Self, Family, God's Guidance, God's Omniscience, God's Provision, God's Will, God's Word, Marriage, Money, Needs, Obedience, Parenting, Prayer, Problems, Rebellion, Scripture, The Bible, The Holy Spirit, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Breaking Away from Family & Upbringing

Posted on March 20, 2026 by russellmckinney

If you are a Christian who was born into a “Christian” household, let me ask you a question: If you had been born into a household that was not “Christian,” would you have still believed in Jesus Christ at some … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Children, Choices, Church, Church Attendance, Commitment, Courage, Decisions, Desires, Discernment, Dying To Self, Faith, Faithfulness, Family, Fatherhood, Fear, God's Guidance, God's Will, God's Work, Husbands, Individuality, Obedience, Parenting, Salvation, Service, Submission, Trusting In God, Wives, Work | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

What Ever Happened to the Original Church of Jerusalem?

Posted on March 16, 2026 by russellmckinney

(Series: “The Early Church of Jerusalem” post #16) The church of Jerusalem, the megachurch that was the world’s first church (Acts 8:1; 11:22), was never intended to be the planet’s only church. God’s plan was always for those believers to … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Evangelism, God's Work, Ministry, Missions, Pastors, Persecution, Preaching, Series: "The Early Church of Jerusalem", The Gospel, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Most Shocking Convert Ever

Posted on March 14, 2026 by russellmckinney

(Series: “The Early Church of Jerusalem” post #15) Imagine Osama Bin Laden becoming a Christian and asking to speak in Christian churches. Imagine Adolph Hitler converting to Judaism and asking to speak in Jewish synagogues. Imagine the Grand Wizard of … Continue reading →

Posted in Brokenness, Change, Church, Conscience, Conviction, Dying To Self, Evangelism, God's Sovereignty, God's Work, Ministry, Missions, Persecution, Salvation, Series: "The Early Church of Jerusalem", Service, Submission, The Gospel, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How God Brought Good Out of Persecution

Posted on March 12, 2026 by russellmckinney

It takes quite a bit of time and energy for a mob to literally stone someone to death. Coats and outer garments must be taken off so that rocks can be gathered and thrown most effectively. But what should be … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Church, Contentment, Evangelism, God's Guidance, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, God's Work, Ministry, Missions, Persecution, Problems, Series: "The Early Church of Jerusalem", Spiritual Warfare, Suffering, The Gospel, Trials, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Church’s First Martyr

Posted on March 9, 2026 by russellmckinney

(Series: “The Early Church of Jerusalem” post #13) I take no pleasure in reporting that much of what a lot of Christians believe about God really doesn’t stand up to the test of scripture. “God wouldn’t let me remain sick.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Christ's Death, Church, Commitment, Death, Faithfulness, God's Will, God's Work, Heaven, Ministry, Obedience, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Series: "The Early Church of Jerusalem", Service, Sickness, Sin, Spiritual Warfare, Suffering, The Old Testament Law, Trials | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Is Acts 6:1-7 the First Deacon Election?

Posted on March 7, 2026 by russellmckinney

(Series: “The Early Church of Jerusalem” post #12) The first serious problem that threatened to split the early church of Jerusalem centered around what Acts 6:1 calls “the daily distribution” (N.K.J.V.). No definition is given for what this distribution was, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Deacons, God's Work, Ministry, Pastors, Series: "The Early Church of Jerusalem", Service | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Pastor’s Main Job

Posted on March 5, 2026 by russellmckinney

(Series: “The Early Church of Jerusalem” post #11) What do you do when one group of members from your church claims that another group is showing favoritism in regards to church benevolence? If you are the 12 apostles — with … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Study, Church, God's Word, God's Work, Individuality, Ministry, Pastors, Prayer, Priorities, Series: "The Early Church of Jerusalem", Spiritual Gifts, Talents, The Bible | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments