Category Archives: Pastors

What Spiritual Gifts Does the Bible Name?

Posted on October 28, 2026 by russellmckinney

Series: “Spiritual Gifts” (post #2) To find out what spiritual gifts the Bible names you have to consult three separate passages of scripture. The passages are Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:8-30, and Ephesians 4:7-16. By combining the lists from all … Continue reading →

Posted in Discernment, Evangelism, Faith, Giving, God's Work, Individuality, Leadership, Mercy, Ministry, Pastors, Preaching, Sanctification, Seeking Advice, Series: "Spiritual Gifts", Service, Speaking in Tongues, Spiritual Gifts, Spiritual Warfare, Teaching, The Holy Spirit | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Lessons Learned From Wee Bobby

Posted on July 27, 2026 by russellmckinney

Many years ago, in a small village church in southern Scotland, the church leaders were questioning the elderly pastor as to why the church wasn’t growing. To those leaders, a dismissal seemed in order. They said to the pastor, “No … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Church, Commitment, Decisions, Evangelism, Giving, God's Work, Ministry, Missions, Parenting, Pastors, Preaching, Sacrifice, Salvation, Service, Submission, The Gospel, The Holy Spirit, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

When God Doesn’t Seem to Care

Posted on July 13, 2026 by russellmckinney

How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Children, Christ's Death, Comfort, Complaining, Depression, Disappointment, Discernment, Doubt, Encouragement, Faith, Faithfulness, Fatherhood, God's Love, Honesty, Needs, Parenting, Pastors, Persecution, Personal, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Problems, Suffering, Thankfulness, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The Difference Between Doors & Discipleship

Posted on June 19, 2026 by russellmckinney

Minister and author John Seamands tells the story of a German soldier who was wounded in battle. The wound was minor and the soldier wasn’t particularly concerned about it, but he was nevertheless ordered to go to the military hospital … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Church Attendance, Discipleship, Elderly, Evangelism, Faithfulness, God's Work, Ministry, Missions, Pastors, Sunday School, Teaching, Worship, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

If in This Life Only…

Posted on April 28, 2026 by russellmckinney

Sometimes you’ll hear a preacher make the statement, “Even if there is no heaven, the benefits you receive in this life make it worth it to follow Jesus.” I remember saying this myself a time or two in my younger … Continue reading →

Posted in Belief, Bible Study, Christ's Resurrection, Church Attendance, Discipleship, Doing Good, Dying To Self, Eternity, Forgiveness, Heaven, Missions, Money, Pastors, Prayer, Preaching, Revenge, Reward, Sacrifice, Salvation, Service, Stewardship, Witnessing | 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

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

The First Church Fight

Posted on March 2, 2026 by russellmckinney

(Series: “The Early Church of Jerusalem” post #10) The world’s first church, the church of Jerusalem, was colossal in terms of sheer numbers. Acts 4:4 puts the number of men at 5,000. If we assume there was one woman per … Continue reading →

Posted in Anger, Christian Unity, Church, Complaining, Favoritism, Leadership, Pastors, Series: "The Early Church of Jerusalem" | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

The First Church Scandal

Posted on February 27, 2026 by russellmckinney

(Series: “The Early Church of Jerusalem” post #9) I don’t care how smoothly a church is humming along, it isn’t immune from scandal. The problem is that people can’t help but be people. They are sin-marred individuals who are members … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Adultery, Alcohol, Backsliding, Church, Deacons, Depravity, Discernment, God's Chastening, God's Judgment, Holiness, Hypocrisy, Lying, Ministry, Money, Pastors, Personal Holiness, Series: "The Early Church of Jerusalem", Sin, Temptation, The Holy Spirit, The Sin Unto Death | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment