January 1, 2026
Pastoral Transition: Succession or Interim?
When done with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, succession and an intentional interim create the smoothest path to pastoral transition.
Articles for tag: Bob Russell
January 1, 2026
Compelling: Managing Three Key Emotions of Leadership Succession
Over time I learned that, while emotions shouldn’t be the dominant voice in my life, understanding them is a wise choice for my life.
July 21, 2025
The Forgotten Word in Acts 2:38 (Part 1)
No one likes to admit being wrong, so that forgotten word repent sounds unpleasant to our ears, but actually repentance is a reasonable response.
Discouraged in Ministry? 10 Ideas from RENEW.org
Here are 10 ideas to help you deal with discouragement in ministry. If you’re currently struggling with discouragement, I hope you try at least one or two of these and find them helpful.
December 31, 2024
A Time of Refreshing
When Bob Russell retired from his stellar 40-year ministry with Southeast Christian Church, he created a unique retreat to encourage those who serve as lead ministers in their congregations.
Preaching Changed My Life
A funeral sermon helped launch me on a path to ministry . . .
September 14, 2023
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘Playing Hurt’ (2012)
In his well-known sermon "Playing Hurt," Wayne Smith asked, "Will you stay in the game . . . even if you've been hurt? God had only one son without sin, but no son without sorrow. . . ."
5 Sources for Illustrations to Enhance Your Sermons
By Chris Philbeck In the 1990s, while serving a church in Oklahoma, I took all my elders to the Leadership Conference at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky. During the opening session, our church was awarded a yearlong subscription to SECC’s weekly tape ministry for being the church that came the farthest with their entire board of elders. So, over the next year, I had the opportunity to listen to weekend messages delivered by Bob Russell and Dave Stone. I still remember many of those messages, including one from Dave about the urgency of reaching lost people. To illustrate the
April 5, 2023
News Briefs for April 5
Mulberry International is planning an “American-style” summer camp experience for 29 children who were evacuated from Mariupol, Ukraine, about a year ago and resettled in a German village. Also, briefs from e2:effective elders, Waypoint Christian Church (Lancaster, Ohio), the Northwest Christian Convention, and more . . .
February 21, 2023
BBC Introduces New Logo (Plus Other News Briefs)
Boise Bible College introduced a new logo in recent weeks. Also briefs from Mid-Atlantic Christian University, ICOM, Central Christian College of the Bible, Milligan University, Maritime Christian College, Common Grounds Unity, and more.
February 6, 2023
February 12 | Application (‘Living in Tense Times’)
When you feel stressed out, it helps to recognize that some tensions are externally generated, some are internally generated, and some are actually healthy and lead to personal growth.
January 30, 2023
Charlie Russell Continues to Make Strides with COVID-19 Recovery
Charlie Russell’s recovery from COVID-19 and multiple attendant health challenges during weeks of hospitalization in 2021 has gone better than expected—much better. . . .
January 4, 2023
Female Prisoners Earn Ministry Degrees (Plus News Briefs)
Thirteen women, including eight prisoners, received Master of Arts in Christian Ministry degrees from Lipscomb University in mid-December after taking classes for years on Wednesday nights. Also briefs about Rusty Russell, Stanley Helton, a Gallup survey about chaplains, and more.
November 16, 2022
Beloved Christian Minister Ben Merold Dies
Ben Merold, 96, a beloved minister in Christian churches and churches of Christ for almost three-quarters of a century, died Wednesday morning. Merold was known as a church builder and a friend of the small church.
November 16, 2022
Remembering Ben Merold: ‘A Model Worth Emulating’
We remember Ben Merold, who died this morning (Nov. 16), by reposting this appreciation written by his longtime friend Bob Russell, with whom he led monthly retreats for ministers for many years.
November 1, 2022
Thankful . . . in All Circumstances
What the Bible Teaches Us About Unwavering Gratitude
November 1, 2022
The Stories God Tells
By Michael C. Mack Who doesn’t love a gripping story of adventure told by a master storyteller? Some of my favorites are epic sagas: Star Wars, Indiana Jones, National Treasure, and the like. I was reminded about the adventures of the Pilgrims as I read Bob Russell’s feature article about Thanksgiving in this issue. It’s a true story about religious convictions, bravery, suffering, perseverance, and faith. God uses stories like that to teach us and transform us. It’s why Bob used this and a story about his grandson Charlie in his article, and it’s why I often remind our writers
October 19, 2022
News Briefs for October 19
News briefs about ICOM, a new preaching resource from e2, a new campus for Redemption Christian Church, upcoming women's events at Ozark and Manhattan Christian colleges, and Bob Russell's take on Halloween.
August 24, 2022
Register Your Entire Church or College for ICOM (Plus News Briefs)
Churches and colleges can pay a flat rate, based on their size, and register their entire "family" for the International Conference On Missions. Also, briefs from SpireConference, churches in Indiana, Missouri, and California, and updates from several Christian colleges (Emmanuel Christian Seminary at Milligan, Lincoln, Kentucky, Louisville, Central, Johnson, and Boise).
CCU Reunion Planned for July 16 (Plus News Briefs)
A reunion event for Cincinnati Christian University alumni will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. July 16 at the Christian Church Leadership Center in Florence, Ky. Also this week, briefs about a new book about the Restoration Movement, a Bob Russell blog piece, highly-rated dorms, and more.
