Category Archives: Service

What I Didn’t Know Back Then

Posted on December 10, 2025 by russellmckinney

I was 27 years old when I accepted what is commonly referred to as “the call to preach.” 32 years have passed now. And what have I learned in those years? I’ve learned what I didn’t know back then. What … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Church Attendance, God's Work, Ministry, Personal, Preaching, Service | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing

Posted on December 1, 2025 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 the Pay the Cost?

Posted on November 24, 2025 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 November 19, 2025 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 November 12, 2025 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 November 8, 2025 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 , , , , | Leave a comment

John Wesley & the Robber

Posted on November 5, 2025 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 , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Word About Church Services

Posted on November 3, 2025 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 , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Can You Trust Your Work?

Posted on October 15, 2025 by russellmckinney

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10, N.K.J.V.) It is said that Napoleon once ordered a coat of mail. (Mail is a steel … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Commitment, Discernment, Discipleship, Doing Good, Eternal Security, Eternity, Faithfulness, God's Will, God's Work, Heaven, Individuality, Ministry, Obedience, Priorities, Reward, Sanctification, Service, Sowing and Reaping, The Judgment Seat of Christ, Work | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Being a Godsend

Posted on October 8, 2025 by russellmckinney

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Doing Good, Friendship, Giving, God's Provision, God's Sovereignty, God's Work, Influence, Ministry, Missions, Money, Needs, Obedience, Problems, Service, Stewardship | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment