The Church Health Series is a new niche for Bob Russell. Although the senior minister for the 24,000-member Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Ky. admitted he wouldn't have been interested in speaking to fellow ministers 20 years ago, now he said he finds it suits him.

"I enjoy talking about preaching," Russell said. His sermons have been broadcast on The Living Word radio program over hundreds of stations for 23 years. He has published 15 books, including several about ministry and many which incorporate his sermon material into their content.

At least one day a week he's locked away in his office for hours researching, studying and reading for a weekend message. He still feels the pressure to produce something new and engaging from the pulpit, even ministering at Southeast, a church that is retaining members and growing by thousands each year. Russell called his ministry, "a constant challenge."

Working in that same challenge of ministry with so many others, Russell said he understands preachers. He knows their frustrations, their battles, their triumphs. He has been through the same things himself in more than 35 years of ministry.

Russell will team with Dr. Thom Rainer, founding dean of the Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism and Church Growth at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, to present the first Church Health Series conference, "The Healthy Church Leader" in Louisville, May 4.

Russell said the Church Health Series is distinctive from the myriad other leadership and ministry conferences because it combines lecture and presentation with personal interaction with the speakers and other conference attenders.

"At this conference we're trying to have interaction with these pastors and students. Thom Rainer and I are hoping that personal contact will be special," Russell said.

There will be presentations from Rainer, whose research team has conducted extensive studies on churches around the country, the unchurched, church health and growth. Combined with Russell's practical ministry application, the conference seeks to offer the best of both expert resources.

"I'm hopeful it will be of real benefit for people who come," Russell said. "That they'll have their questions answered and be able to talk with others about the issues and struggles they are dealing with in ministry."

Russell will talk about the leaders of the Bible and how they overcame struggles. He will speak about managing leadership overload and the pastor's morality.

Rainer will share what the research says about leaders of effective churches, healthy leadership and a personal leadership plan.

The two experts will address questions about developing healthy leadership habits in two informal and personal, question-and-answer sessions.

Question-and-answer sessions during the Healthy Church Leader conference, May 4, in Louisville, Ky., will bring a unique personalized component to the conference.

"That's making this a little different," Russell said of the interactive component.

He has done something similar in Southeast's own Leadership Conference, shaping a time when the doors close, the tape recorders stop and ministers are allowed, even encouraged to lay their hearts on the line and voice some of their most personal struggles in ministry. Sometimes they are seeking answers, sometimes simple understanding.

Russell said conference chairman Dan Hall had a vision for that type of format as well. Hall served as a Southern Baptist pastor for more than two decades and works now as a consultant to church and business leaders. He conceived the Church Health Series after developing a mentoring relationship with Russell.

Russell said he hears from ministers with concerns about dealing with criticism and discouragement. But one of the primary issues ministers focus on is finding new and creative ways to present the gospel.

"We're always looking for ways to keep people's attention," Russell said. He mentioned recent sermons where he implemented video clips and held a short interview with Christian author and speaker, Liz Curtis Higgs, who took the pulpit with Russell to discuss rejection through the biblical story of Jacob and Leah.

But Russell cautions ministers to avoid extremes so that the medium does not become the message. He referred to one preacher who zipped down from the ceiling on a wire and landed on stage to speak. While the stunt may have made an impression on the audience, Russell said, "They're not going home talking about Jesus."

Instead, Russell suggests preachers enhance the Scripture as Jesus did, with parables and stories.

The Healthy Church Series will focus on healthy church practices, beginning with The Healthy Church Leader, May 4; then Good to Great Churches, Sept. 16; and Reaching the Unchurched, Dec. 2.

"What we're tying to do is talk about how the church can be balanced," Russell said of the series. "The church should be more than just a place to introduce people to Christ, it should be a place where they are also nurtured."

He referred to the second half of the Great Commission, the Scripture which commands Christians to make disciples. "A healthy church needs nurturing," Russell said. "They are nurtured by the study of the Word of God, by fellowship, by using their spiritual gifts, by enduring suffering and sharing joy together."

Russell likened the church to a family at Christmas. Without any children the excitement of Christmas morning is noticeably absent. Conversely, without any adults there is only chaos. Russell said healthy churches are a mix of new people, older people, various chronological and spiritual ages.

Specific advice is helpful and something most ministers are seeking, according to Russell. But the conference will also offer spiritual advice. Russell said The Healthy Church Leader conference will address ministers' moral lives and thought lives.

"We're looking for practical application more than character development," Russell said. "Who we are matters a lot more than what we say. It's the character and spirit that influences."

Click here for more information about the Church Health Series.