The Rural Think Tank
…It's Different Out Here.
Rural churches often want to reach the next generation, but that work becomes harder when leaders use outdated assumptions about schools, schedules, and belonging.
School consolidation, charter options, and homeschooling are reshaping rural community life. Here is why churches serving children and teenagers need to pay attention.
Are You the Quarterback or the Coach? Most pastors see themselves as the quarterback. They call the plays. They execute the strategy. They are the ones who do the ministry. But what if the pastor’s primary role is not to be the quarterback? What if it is to be the coach? The Difference A quarterback …
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 …
The Gone Generation What happens when a generation leaves the rural area to seek education and employment in other parts of the country? The Southern Illinoisan Newspaper did a series looking at the students that leave small communities. The article points out that we are training our best and brightest to leave, and reaping the …
The Phenomenon That Is Reshaping Rural America The phrase “Rural Brain Drain” originated from a book called Hollowing Out the Middle, which looked at the effect that adults were having in their community by preparing their best and brightest to be shipped off to colleges and universities, sometimes never to return. Many outlets have since …