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'`Power of One Another' examines relational aspect of healthy churches

April 21, 2004

A healthy church may have excellent worship services and relevant, powerful preaching but all that is only like a "resounding gong" or a "clanging symbol" without love, according to author Bob Russell, senior minister of the 24,000-member Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Ky.

"I'm invited by a lot of churches to come and talk to them about church growth," Russell wrote in the introduction to his latest book, "The Power of One Another." "One of the first things I tell them is that the church will not stay healthy and grow without love."

"Love one another" is the first chapter in Russell's new Bible study on developing Christian relationships. The book examines the "one-another Bible passages," in their practical application to churches.

A study of 10 New Testament passages that offer Christians directives on how to treat others, "The Power of One Another" is the latest in a long line of Bible study books written by Russell for Standard Publishing.

Russell, whose weekend messages are broadcast over dozens of radio stations around the U.S. and the world, draws on 20 years of sermons in his latest book, written in collaboration with his son, Rusty Russell.

"I'll usually sit down with my dad and interview him," Rusty said. "He's able to give me so much information."

"His thinking is so much like mine," Bob said. "We're able to coordinate things."

The result is a simple study book tailor-made for small groups, Bible studies, and Sunday school classes. Several groups at Southeast, where Rusty is also a minister, are using the book in that way. A leader's guide is also available.

"This is a tool for helping you see your place in the Body of Christ," Rusty said, "and some really practical applications."

"We're trying to find the practical ways these themes apply to people in church every day," Bob said. The book provides good "discussion starters" he said.

The "Serve One Another" chapter, for example, strikes at the heart of worldly culture. It references how important status is in the world and how servanthood matters more in Christianity.

"Jesus calls us to forget status and pursue servanthood," the Russells wrote.

"God exalts doctors who don't insist on titles, brilliant educators who communicate in normal vocabulary, powerful politicians who are sensitive to the common man, attractive people who don't manipulate, great athletes who don't strut, rich people who don't flaunt it, and average people who aren't envious of those who have more. That's so different from the way the world measures worth, but God's ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts," the Russells wrote.

The chapter continues with suggestions for serving.

"You don't need someone assigning you a task. Just look for a need and start filling it," the Russells wrote.

"You can start by serving in little ways. In your home, think of the other family members ahead of yourself. Pick up your clothes so your mother doesn't have to. Help your brother or sister with a chore. Turn off the ball game and listen to your wife. Help get the children ready for bed. Fix your husband's favorite meal again."

In his characteristic sermon style, Bob Russell includes directives for everyone.

The book also addresses service at church, not as large-scale ministry projects, but as an attitude toward even the smallest things.

"When you go to church, park at the back of the lot so the older people can have the better parking spots. Help the single mom carry her diaper bags into the building. Help pick up bulletins when the service is over."

Service suggestions continue for workplace scenarios and as random acts of anonymous kindness.

Related Scripture is heavily sprinkled throughout the text, as are statistics and anecdotes, a mix that also reflects Russell's speaking style.

Chapters entitled: "Accept One Another," "Forgive One Another" "Comfort One Another" and "Encourage One Another," sound like nice epithets for Christians, but the Russells' book suggests churches take them to heart as biblical commands.

For example, the "Encourage One Another" chapter suggests that encouragement is not about boosting self-esteem, or a pat on the back, but about "encouraging others to be faithful to the Lord." Encourgement is presented in the book as more serious and important in the church than it may be commonly thought of. The characteristics of an effective encourager are listed as: compassion, action and selfless motivation.

"The Power of One Another" has already sold 50,000 copies to churches that use the Standard VBS materials. Russell's other books have sold to even wider audiences.

Bob Russell is a featured speaker at the Church Health Series beginning May 4 in Louisville, Ky. with The Healthy Church Leader seminar.