Pulling Back the Curtain

Rev. Dr. Rollin Russell was reared in parsonages in Indianapolis and New Orleans and after graduating from seminary served congregations in Virginia, Pennsylvania and Texas. He then served on staff in two UCC conferences and on a seminary faculty. This book seeks to shed light on the myriad issues that face all pastors, realities of which most church goers are oblivious: the blessed moments, the funny ones, the ambiguities and some of the teeth grinders. Rev. Russell's pastoral journey spanned the eras of civil rights, the equal rights movement, two anti-war movements, the gay rights movement, and the ecological movement, each of which brought turmoil to churches and to society. In every phase his efforts to further unity are emphasized. This memoir is an effort to pull back the curtain on pastoral ministry during that era and offer theological, ethical and pastoral perspectives on that pilgrimage.