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The Rural Think Tank

…It's Different Out Here.

How School Consolidation, Charter Schools, and Homeschooling Change Rural Ministry

June 12, 2026 by Brent Lacy

School consolidation, charter options, and homeschooling are reshaping rural community life. Here is why churches serving children and teenagers need to pay attention.

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An infographic titled The King We Did Not Expect: Understanding Jesus’ Triumphal Entry. The graphic is divided into sections comparing human expectations with spiritual reality. On the left, titled The Crowd’s Desire: A Political Conqueror, a warrior is shown on a white horse with a crown and sword. Bullet points include Worldly Power, Military Victory, and Personal Agendas. On the right, titled Jesus’ Reality: A Humble Servant, Jesus is shown riding a donkey while people lay down cloaks. Bullet points include Spiritual Restoration, Sacrifice and Peace, and Servanthood. A center arrow notes that praise turns to silence and encourages moving beyond surface level enthusiasm. The bottom displays three numbered steps: 1. Lay down personal agendas. 2. Embrace the gospel’s peace. 3. Witness both hosannas and the cross. An icon of palm branches transitions into three crosses representing the resurrection.

The King We Did Not Expect

June 12, 2026 by Brent Lacy

A Palm Sunday Bible study from Matthew 21:1-11 on the difference between the king people wanted and the King Jesus actually is.

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The Rural Brain Drain: Nurturing Small Communities in the Face of Migration

June 12, 2026 by Brent Lacy

Understanding the rural brain drain The rural brain drain describes a pattern that has reshaped small communities across the country. Young people leave for college, for careers, for military service, or simply for a different life. Many do not come back. Over time, this outward migration reduces the number of working-age adults, professionals, and leaders …

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Embracing Technology: Reaching Rural Communities with the Gospel

June 12, 2026 by Brent Lacy

Why technology matters for rural ministry Rural communities face real barriers to connection. Distance, limited broadband, and small populations make it harder to reach people with the gospel using traditional methods alone. But technology, used thoughtfully, can extend the reach of a small church in ways that were not possible a generation ago. This is …

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Reaching Hearts in the Heartland: Spreading the Gospel in Rural Communities

June 12, 2026 by Brent Lacy

The Heartland Is Not a Mission Field Somewhere Else When most people think about evangelism, they think about distant places. Foreign countries. Urban centers. Places where the gospel has never been heard. And those places matter. The Great Commission is global, and the church must be global in its vision. But there is a mission …

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Rural Thinktank Podcast Episode 50: Which entry are you paying attention to?

June 8, 2026 by Brent Lacy

This message is from 3/28/21 at Morey Chapel Church of Christ near Westville, Illinois. It takes a look at the Triumphal Entry of Jesus on Palm Sunday, plcing it in hisorical context of other things occurring at the same time. What are you paying attention to?

Rural Thinktank Episode 49: What’s Your Story?

June 8, 2026 by Brent Lacy

This message is from 3/21/21 at Morey Chapel Church of Christ near Westville, Illinois.     

Rural Thinktank Podcast Episode 48: Who are you, really?

June 8, 2026 by Brent Lacy

This message was given at Morey Chapel Church of Christ on 3/14/21, based out of Ezekiel 37. It encourages you to consider your identity. 

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. 

Rural Thinktank Podcast Episode 46: Foundational Issues for a Healthy Church

June 8, 2026 by Brent Lacy

This message was given 1/24/21 at Morey Chapel Church of Christ, near Westville, Illinois. 

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