Rural Issues – Page 2 – The Rural Think Tank

Rural Thinktank Podcast Episode 32: Change the Oil

April 28, 2026 by brentlacydotcom

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

Rural Thinktank Episode 26 : More thoughts on Church Safety

March 12, 2020 by brentlacydotcom

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 …

Rural Thinktank Podcast Episode 16: Changing Media Consumption and Rural Ministry

October 23, 2019 by brentlacydotcom

This episode talks about changing media consumption habits and how they affect the ways that we present the message of the Gospel through our ministries. Links to things I mention in this episode: The Rural Think Tank – http://ruralthinktank.com RightNow Media –http://rightnowmedia.com FaithlifeTV – https://faithlifetv.com/ Rural Youth Ministry 2nd Edition Book at Amazon – http://bit.do/rym2 Supporting this podcast …

Rural Think Tank Podcast Episode 12: Empowering the Senior Adults in Your Congregation

October 23, 2019 by brentlacydotcom

This podcast episode looks at the “graying” of our rural and small congregations (Episodes 3 and 6 are also related here). I discuss changing the perspective of how you do ministry when you have a predominately senior adult congregation. We look at not what seniors can’t do, but what they can do. Links to things …

Rural Think Tank Podcast Episode 11: Unleash the Creatives!

October 23, 2019 by brentlacydotcom

What are you doing in your church and community to empower those gifted with creative talents to use those gifts for the kingdom? We will look at the hows and why of utilizing “creatives” in your community for eternal good. Links to things I mention in this episode: The Rural Think Tank – http://ruralthinktank.com Rural Youth …

Rural Think Tank Episode 8: If you need help, get it! Now! I’m not Kidding! We need you!

September 11, 2019 by brentlacydotcom

The day that the last episode aired, news broke of another high profile pastor ending his own life, Jarrid Wilson. He was an outspoken advocate of the mental health for ministry professionals. This episode expands on the content of episode 7, in light of current events. God has a purpose for you. Your friends, family, …

Rural Think Tank Episode 7: No one else is going to do it for you…

September 10, 2019 by brentlacydotcom

Taking care of yourself. This is probably one of the last things on the priority list of most ministry workers, yet it is vital. An unhealthy leader cannot take a ministry to a place of health. Many of us serve near the edge of the cliff called burnout. This episode has some tips to help …

Rural Think Tank Episode 6: What can Led Zeppelin really teach us about Rural Ministry?

September 6, 2019 by brentlacydotcom

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 …

Rural Think Tank : Episode 4 – A “game changing” shift in rural ministry practice

August 30, 2019 by brentlacydotcom

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 …

Rural Think Tank : Bonus! Episode 3 – Demographics, Rural Ministry and The Rural Brain Drain, Oh My!

August 28, 2019 by brentlacydotcom

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 …