Category Archives: Ministry

Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing

Posted on August 10, 2018 by russellmckinney

Colder weather and the holiday season bring an uptick in requests from various causes and ministries. That makes this time of year a good time for a word about “the social gospel.” So, I’d like to use this post to … Continue reading →

Posted in Balance, Christ's Second Coming, Christ's Miracles, Christ's Return, Communication, Discernment, Doing Good, Evangelism, God's Work, Good Works, Hell, Human Life, Ministry, Missions, Needs, Priorities, Salvation, Service, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Are You Willing to Pay the Cost?

Posted on August 6, 2018 by russellmckinney

Author Lafcadio Hearn was known for his books about Japan. In particular, his collections of Japanese traditional stories and legends were very well received. One such story involved a Japanese farmer who owned a valuable rice field that covered a … Continue reading →

Posted in Character, Christ's Death, Commitment, Discipleship, Doing Good, Dying To Self, Giving, God's Work, Good Works, Humility, Ministry, Missions, Money, Problems, Service, Submission | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Fresh Spark

Posted on August 1, 2018 by russellmckinney

“Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die…” (Revelation 3:3, N.K.J.V.) Dr. G. Curtis Jones tells the story of a board meeting he once attended at a city church where he was serving as pastor. … Continue reading →

Posted in Attitude, Change, Church, Commitment, Decisions, Doing Good, Evangelism, Family, God's Will, God's Work, Influence, Leadership, Ministry, Missions, Problems, Restoration, Service, Witnessing, Work | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

When God Tells You to Do Something

Posted on July 25, 2018 by russellmckinney

I’ve been friends with Beau Thomas for most of my life. We grew up together, attended school together, ran around together, and played a lot of ball together. When each of us became a father, we also coached our share … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Change, Choices, Christ's Miracles, Commitment, Complaining, Courage, Decisions, Disobedience, Doing Good, Doubt, Encouragement, Faith, Faithfulness, Fear, God's Omniscience, God's Provision, God's Will, God's Work, Individuality, Ministry, Money, Obedience, Perseverance, Personal, Problems, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Submission, Talents, Trials, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Unopened Perfume

Posted on July 23, 2018 by russellmckinney

For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. (2 Corinthians 2:15, N.K.J.V.) Donald Barnhouse was one of America’s best-known preachers. He pastored Philadelphia’s Tenth Presbyterian Church from … Continue reading →

Posted in Character, Commitment, Doing Good, Dying To Self, God's Will, God's Work, Good Works, Individuality, Influence, Ministry, Missions, Obedience, Personal Holiness, Sanctification, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Stewardship, Submission, Talents, Witnessing, Worship | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

John Wesley & the Robber

Posted on July 20, 2018 by russellmckinney

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. (Galatians 6:9, N.K.J.V.) John Wesley was the father of the Methodist denomination. It is estimated that over the … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Character, Comfort, Commitment, Depression, Disappointment, Doing Good, Encouragement, Evangelism, Faithfulness, God's Timing, God's Work, Impatience, Influence, Ministry, Obedience, Patience, Perseverance, Reward, Service, Sowing and Reaping, Waiting, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

A Word About Church Services

Posted on July 18, 2018 by russellmckinney

A faithful churchgoer was asked by his fisherman friend, “How can you go to the same church every service, week after week, month after month, year after year? It’s the same place, the same people, the same hymns. You’ve even … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Church Attendance, Current Events, Discipleship, God's Work, Ministry, Music, Pastors, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Preaching, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Sunday School, Talents, Worship | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Trouble with Convenient Ships

Posted on July 13, 2018 by russellmckinney

But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Choices, Decisions, Disobedience, Dying To Self, Faithfulness, God's Judgment, God's Will, God's Work, Man's Freewill, Ministry, Missions, Obedience, Preaching, Rebellion, Sowing and Reaping, Submission | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Divorced Pastors & Deacons? (post #3 of 3)

Posted on July 6, 2018 by russellmckinney

I closed the previous post by promising to present cases for both sides of this argument. So, I might as well go ahead and jump right into that. I’ll start with the scriptural case for a divorced man serving as … Continue reading →

Posted in Adultery, Church, Deacons, Divorce, Divorce & Remarriage, God's Work, Husbands, Marriage, Ministry, Parenting, Pastors, Preaching, Series: "Divorced Pastors & Deacons?" | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Divorced Pastors & Deacons? (post #2 of 3)

Posted on July 4, 2018 by russellmckinney

This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife… (1 Timothy 3:1-2, N.K.J.V.) For this reason I left you … Continue reading →

Posted in Adultery, Church, Deacons, Divorce, Divorce & Remarriage, God's Work, Husbands, Marriage, Ministry, Pastors, Preaching, Series: "Divorced Pastors & Deacons?" | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment