Category Archives: Ministry

How To Treat Your Enemy

Posted on May 30, 2020 by russellmckinney

The political climate in America these days is decidedly not good. Leading Republicans and Democrats can barely be civil toward one another, let alone work together for the common good of the country. Are there major ideological differences between the … Continue reading →

Posted in Anger, Character, Discipleship, Doing Good, Forgiveness, God's Work, Government, Love, Ministry, Persecution, Politics, Revenge, Service, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

When God Makes You a Troublemaker

Posted on May 11, 2020 by russellmckinney

Then it happened, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said to him, “Is that you, O troubler of Israel?” (1 Kings 18:17, N.K.J.V.) Ahab was the king of Israel, which was the name the Jewish northern kingdom took for itself … Continue reading →

Posted in God's Work, Ministry, Persecution, Preaching, Prophecy, Reward, Service | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Carrying Water

Posted on May 4, 2020 by russellmckinney

The Civil War’s Battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia, was primarily fought on December 13, 1862. Approximately 200,000 soldiers fought in the battle, as Union General Ambrose Burnside commanded his 120,000 troops in a two-pronged attacked against Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Courage, Discipleship, Doing Good, Evangelism, God's Work, Mercy, Ministry, Salvation, The Gospel | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

“Daddy, They Won’t Block”

Posted on March 11, 2020 by russellmckinney

One of the funniest things I ever saw on a football field involved a friend of mine named Richie Jarrett and his son, Dylan. If you’ll bear with me while I set up the story, I think you’ll be glad … Continue reading →

Posted in Depression, Doing Good, Encouragement, God's Love, God's Will, God's Work, Human Life, Ministry, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Stewardship, Talents, Work, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Sir, We Would See Jesus”

Posted on February 27, 2020 by russellmckinney

The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. (John 12:21, K.J.V.) Word has it that a church in Georgia has an angling stairway the preacher must ascend … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Anger, Belief, Depression, Disappointment, Discipleship, Doubt, Faith, Joy, Ministry, Preaching, Problems, Service, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Unsung Heroes

Posted on February 22, 2020 by russellmckinney

I live in the state of North Carolina, but when it comes to college basketball I am not a fan of the UNC Tarheels or the Duke Blue Devils. No, my team is the NC State Wolfpack. Do you want … Continue reading →

Posted in Character, Christ's Death, Doing Good, Evangelism, Faithfulness, Family, Fatherhood, God's Work, Influence, Leadership, Ministry, Motherhood, Parenting, Personal, Priorities, Service, Sports | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How God Can Use Your Patmos

Posted on February 3, 2020 by russellmckinney

The apostle John lived into his eighties, perhaps into his nineties, and in so doing easily outlived all the other apostles. And how did he spend his “senior citizen” years? Post-Biblical church history provides strong documentation that he lived and … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Character, Complaining, Disappointment, Faith, Faithfulness, God's Work, Influence, Ministry, Patience, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Service, Spiritual Warfare, Sports, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God, Waiting | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Having Good Spiritual Leadership Isn’t Enough

Posted on January 30, 2020 by russellmckinney

The pastor is usually the first person who gets blamed when a church takes a downturn. And, admittedly, many times the pastor is the problem. That’s just a plain fact. There are, however, two other facts that are just as … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Leadership, Ministry, Pastors, Preaching | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

How Many Pastors Should a Church Have?

Posted on December 5, 2019 by russellmckinney

Our English word “pastor” translates the New Testament’s original Greek word poimen, a word that literally means “shepherd.” “Pastor,” of course, is the leadership title that is most commonly used in our American churches. The fact is, however, that the New Testament … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Deacons, Ministry, Pastors, Preaching | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Why Can’t a Woman be a Pastor or a Deacon?

Posted on October 29, 2019 by russellmckinney

I realize that I’m not going to win any popularity contests with this one, but I feel led of the Lord to weigh in on the topics of women preachers and women deacons. In these days of social media, it … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Deacons, God's Work, Leadership, Ministry, Pastors, Preaching | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment