Category Archives: Youth

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

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

Behind the Times

Posted on June 17, 2026 by russellmckinney

A devout old Christian was visited by his grandson who was on Spring Break from college. “How are you doing, Gramps?” asked the grandson. “Fine, just fine,” said the old man. “How is school going?” the old man asked. Are … Continue reading →

Posted in Abortion, Aging, Atheism, Belief, Bible Study, Capital Punishment, Children, Coming Judgment, Commitment, Creation, Current Events, Discernment, Discipleship, Discipline, Doctrine, Elderly, Eternity, Faithfulness, Family, Fatherhood, God's Holiness, God's Omnipotence, God's Sovereignty, God's Word, Government, Heaven, Hell, Homosexuality, Husbands, Marriage, Motherhood, Salvation, Scripture, The Bible, The Death Penalty, The Gospel, Trusting In God, Truth, Wisdom, Wives, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

A Lesson Samuel Didn’t Learn

Posted on February 2, 2026 by russellmckinney

Of all of Israel’s great spiritual leaders, none rises any higher than Samuel. He was a prophet, a priest, and the last of Israel’s Judges. He personally anointed the nation’s first two kings (Saul and David), and two books from … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Backsliding, Children, Discernment, Discipline, Elderly, Faithfulness, Family, Fatherhood, God's Holiness, God's Work, Headship, Husbands, Influence, Leadership, Marriage, Ministry, Motherhood, Parenting, Pastors, Sin, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Going Back Home

Posted on January 1, 2026 by russellmckinney

New York’s Bowery Mission was founded in 1879 and still serves today as a rescue mission and men’s shelter. Sam Hadley was once the superintendent there and told a certain story about the place. I’d like to share that story … Continue reading →

Posted in Abortion, Addiction, Adultery, Alcohol, Backsliding, Belief, Brokenness, Change, Children, Confession, Conviction, Disobedience, Family, Fatherhood, Fear, Forgiveness, God's Love, Grace, Guilt, Love, Missions, New Year, Parenting, Problems, Rebellion, Reconciliation, Repentance, Salvation, Seeking Forgiveness, Sin, Youth | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

What Satan Did to His Fellow Angels: Rebellion

Posted on August 20, 2025 by russellmckinney

“The Wiles of the Devil” series (post #2) The Bible tells us quite a bit about angels, but it leaves certain parts of the story blank. First, it doesn’t tell us how many angels there are. Second, it doesn’t tell … Continue reading →

Posted in Angels, Children, Church, Demons, Disobedience, Family, Fatherhood, Government, Headship, Husbands, Parenting, Pastors, Politics, Rebellion, Satan, Series: "The Wiles of the Devil", Spiritual Warfare, Submission, The Devil, Wives, Work, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Generation That Had to Die Off

Posted on May 12, 2025 by russellmckinney

I once heard a preacher’s thoughts regarding a troubled church. He said something to the effect, “There is a generation that is going to have to die off there before God can get in there and change things.” The preacher … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Attitude, Change, Church, Courage, Death, Faith, Fear, God's Guidance, God's Work, Leadership, Ministry, Personal, Worship, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Selling Hamburgers

Posted on February 7, 2025 by russellmckinney

I have never served as the pastor of a megachurch, and I don’t figure that I ever will. My pastoral ministry has always involved small, rural churches. Still, I’ll admit that, like megachurch pastors, I feel the internal pressure to … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Church, Church Attendance, Music, Pastors, Personal, Preaching, Worship, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Kateland’s Answer

Posted on January 22, 2025 by russellmckinney

I was in my first pastorate, and our church was having its annual Bible School week. The attendance was excellent each night as several visiting kids who weren’t part of our church were coming. One of those visitors was a … Continue reading →

Posted in Baptism, Children, Church, Discernment, Evangelism, God's Work, Humor, Ministry, Parenting, Pastors, Personal, Reward, Salvation, The Holy Spirit, Witnessing, Youth | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Worship Wars

Posted on January 3, 2025 by russellmckinney

I once met with the pulpit committee of a certain church about the possibility of me becoming that church’s next pastor. I don’t normally take Tonya along for such meetings, but this committee wanted to meet her as well. So, … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Balance, Change, Christian Unity, Church, Church Attendance, God's Guidance, God's Will, God's Work, King James Only, Ministry, Music, Pastors, Personal, Sunday School, Worship, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments