The Rural Think Tank
…It's Different Out Here.
What is the Rural Think Tank?
In the latest episode of the Rural Think Tank Podcast, I discuss the history and purpose of the Rural Think Tank.
When the School Map Changes, Ministry Changes Too
For generations, many rural churches have built children’s ministry, youth ministry, outreach rhythms, and even their calendars around the local school. That made sense when a town had one clear school identity, one district, and one set of weekly rhythms that most families shared. That is not always true anymore. In many places, school consolidation …
Why Rural Churches Are Still One of the Strongest Community Development Institutions
Rural development often centers on grants, broadband, and infrastructure, but many small towns still rely on churches to supply trust, volunteer capacity, and local staying power. Rural churches are not the whole development strategy, but they remain one of the strongest institutions many towns still have.
When Failure Is Public: What Peter’s Restoration Still Teaches Rural Church Leaders
Peter’s denial was public, painful, and real. John 21 shows how Christ restores without minimizing failure, and why that still matters for rural church leadership today.
Why Activity Is Not the Same as Fruit in Small-Town Ministry
Many small-town churches are busy, but activity and fruitfulness are not the same thing. John 15 helps rural ministries tell the difference before exhaustion becomes the culture.
Who Are We Still Avoiding at the Well? Rural Ministry After John 4
Every church has people it says it wants to reach and people it quietly assumes it never will. John 4 confronts those boundaries and calls rural ministry to cross them truthfully.
What Isaiah 61 Still Says to Rural Places Carrying Old Damage
Rural communities often carry damage that is older than any one crisis. Isaiah 61 offers a serious vision of repair, dignity, and rebuilding for places marked by long discouragement.
What Habakkuk Still Says to Rural Communities Waiting for Justice
Habakkuk speaks to communities that can see what is wrong but cannot fix it quickly. Rural places need that language when justice feels slow and powerful systems feel crooked.
What Simon the Magician Still Teaches Rural Churches About Discernment
Simon the magician reminds churches that amazement is not the same as discipleship. Rural communities need discernment when charisma and influence outrun character.
Are Rural Churches Actually Ready for the Growth They Pray For?
Many rural churches pray for renewal while remaining organized for maintenance. Acts 2 challenges congregations to ask whether they are actually ready for the growth they say they want.
This Is Bigger Than AI: Rural Communities, Infrastructure Renewal, and a New Trades Renaissance
The biggest rural opportunity in the AI era may not be the data centers themselves. It may be the larger wave of infrastructure renewal, trade work, and technical opportunity that AI is speeding up anyway.