The Rural Think Tank
…It's Different Out Here.
In the backdrop of beautiful landscapes and close-knit communities, rural areas face a significant challenge known as the “rural brain drain.” This phenomenon refers to the outward migration of talented young individuals from small communities to larger urban areas in search of better educational and career opportunities. The consequences of this migration pattern are far-reaching …
In today’s digital age, technology has become a powerful tool for communication and connection. While rural communities may face geographical and logistical challenges, they are not excluded from the transformative message of the Gospel. By leveraging technology intentionally, we can bridge the gap and bring the gospel to those living in remote areas. In this …
In today’s fast-paced and interconnected world, it’s easy to overlook the spiritual needs of those living in rural communities. The bustling cities often take center stage, attracting attention and resources, while the rural communities are left longing for a touch of God’s love. However, as followers of Christ, it is our duty and privilege to …
This podcast episode addresses the question – Can how a church conducts business in the community help or hinder it’s witness and reputation? The answer may not be as clearcut as you think… 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.
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
This episode contains information localized to the US/North America, due to laws that are present here. There may be content that you might disagree with in this episode, but please hear me out and listen. This Episode was recorded in mid-December 2019, before the last round of church/synagogue violence in the US. The discussions that …
The Led Zeppelin classic “When the levee breaks” tells the story of a disaster causing people in a smaller town leaving for work elsewhere. There are other implications that this song brings for Rural Ministry in today’s society. You don’t want to miss this episode! Links to things I mention in this episode: The Rural …
In this episode we are going to look at how a “game changing” idea from Dare2Share (see link below) can shift how we equip our congregation to reach the community around us with the Gospel. The question is: Are you the Quarterback or the Coach? The answer changed the way I approached ministry beginning several …
This is an unscheduled Bonus episode this week that is a little longer form than the typical episode. This is because it is packed with two topics that deeply affect rural ministry – Demographics and the “Rural Brain Drain”. I also throw out a “What If” scenario for rural communities to combat the talent drain …
This post was originally published on my other blog, MinistryPlace.net Last weekend brought a snowstorm like I have never seen before. I grew up in the midwest, and have seen and done some really crazy things in snow and ice, but this was beyond anything else. We had temps, not wind chills of -12 and …