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The Rural Think Tank

…It's Different Out Here.

Category: Rural Church Resources

Rural church resources. Free and practical tools for small church leaders including Sunday school curriculum, administration guides, and volunteer management.

Rural Thinktank Podcast Episode 47: Does it look like the Neighborhood?

June 8, 2026 by Brent Lacy

This message was given 2/21/2021 at Morey Chapel Church of Christ in Westville, IL. 

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Rural Thinktank Podcast Episode 34: Should your pastor search team use an outside independent consultant?

June 8, 2026 by Brent Lacy

This episode is about the usefulness, pros, and cons associated with using an outside independent church consultant in cooperation with your search team. I share some of the things that I have experienced serving in this role for several churches.  As always, if this is a blessing, share this podcast with others. If you feel …

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Rural Thinktank Podcast Episode 33: If your church had a CIO (Chief Information Officer), what would they tell you?

June 8, 2026 by Brent Lacy

This episode is about the thing that many small and medium sized churches think they cover, but really neglect – Their IT We discuss Data Security, Backup, Hardware Refresh, and other things that many churches ignore, accidentally or on purpose.   I try my best to break down all the terms I discuss to terms …

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Rural Thinktank Podcast Episode 32: Change the Oil

June 8, 2026 by Brent Lacy

This is a message on Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 given 1/26/30 at Bloomingdale Friends Church in Bloomingdale, Illinois.  If you have thoughts/input/questions, go to ruralthinktank.com and hit the contact button or go to anchor.fm/ruralthinktank and leave a voice message. Video available on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/scott.miller.9619/posts/10158132991073960?comment_id=10158133159328960&reply_comment_id=10158133562978960¬if_id=1580056196868779¬if_t=comment_mention

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Rural Thinktank Podcast Episode 31: Is the age of large youth events over?

June 12, 2026 by Brent Lacy

This podcast episode looks at the evolution of large youth events, and what that looks like over the last 5-10 years.  Some events have remained, some have evolved.  Some of the Things I mention in the episode: Dare2Share Live: https://dare2sharelive.org/ WinterJam : https://2020.jamtour.com/ Contacting RuralThinkTank :http://ruralthinktank.com/contact-the-rural-think-tank/ Supporting the Podcast: https://anchor.fm/ruralthinktank Sources https://dare2sharelive.org/ https://2020.jamtour.com/ https://anchor.fm/ruralthinktank

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Rural Thinktank Podcast Episode 30: The Bible is Bizarre

June 8, 2026 by Brent Lacy

This is a message given 1/19/2020 at Bloomingdale Christian Church in Bloomingdale, Indiana.  This covers some of the odd passages that we find in the Bible and how we can see how God cares for us through them, and what theses passages tell us about ourselves

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Rural Thinktank Podcast Episode 29: Do churches really stink at HR?

June 12, 2026 by Brent Lacy

This episode explores some of the tough questions that need to be asked as a church goes through a pastor search process. It is by no means exhaustive, but designed to get you thinking about the discussions that need to happen during the search and interview process.  If you have thoughts/input/questions, go to ruralthinktank.com and …

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Rural Thinktank Podcast Episode 28: Leveraging the power of the local church for you community

June 8, 2026 by Brent Lacy

This episode talks about my experience at a Operation Christmas Child processing center in Chicago and the lessons learned there that can translate to local community ministry efforts.  Things I mention in this episode: Operation Christmas Child – https://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/ Blessing Boxes – https://www.facebook.com/Blessing-BOX-1723297441261962/

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Rural Thinktank Podcast Episode 27: The Corvette in the Barn – Aligning your social media and technology in ministry

June 12, 2026 by Brent Lacy

This episode was recorded prior to episode 25, a prequel if you will. (If you have not listened to episode 25, you need to) This episode drills down on the need for churches to align their technology and social media outreaches to see them as a combination of tools that all are designed to extend …

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Rural Thinktank Episode 25: The Corvette in the Barn

June 12, 2026 by Brent Lacy

This is a message given at Bainbridge Christian Church in Bainbridge, Indiana on 12/29/2019.  Focal Passage: I John 1:1-10 The Word of Life 1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of …

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