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The Rural Think Tank

…It's Different Out Here.

Tag: rural

Small Towns, Big Wounds: Why Rural Churches Keep Meeting Hidden Social Crises

May 4, 2026 by Tracy Kiger

Rural churches often face homelessness, addiction, and family instability before anyone else sees the pattern. Small towns hide pain differently, not less deeply.

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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

April 28, 2026 by brentlacydotcom

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

April 28, 2026 by brentlacydotcom
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Rural Thinktank Episode 49: What’s Your Story?

April 28, 2026 by brentlacydotcom
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Rural Thinktank Podcast Episode 48: Who are you, really?

April 28, 2026 by brentlacydotcom
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Rural Thinktank Podcast Episode 47: Does it look like the Neighborhood?

April 28, 2026 by brentlacydotcom
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Rural Thinktank Podcast Episode 33: Maintaining the business reputation of a church

April 28, 2026 by brentlacydotcom

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.

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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

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Rural Thinktank Podcast Episode 31: Is the age of large youth events over?

April 28, 2026 by brentlacydotcom

This podcast episode looks at the evolution of large youth events, and what that looks like over the last 5-10 years.  Some events have remained, some have evolved.  Some of the Things I mention in the episode: Dare2Share Live: https://dare2sharelive.org/ WinterJam : https://2020.jamtour.com/ Contacting RuralThinkTank :http://ruralthinktank.com/contact-the-rural-think-tank/ Supporting the Podcast: https://anchor.fm/ruralthinktank

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Rural Thinktank Podcast Episode 30: The Bible is Bizarre

April 28, 2026 by brentlacydotcom

This is a message given 1/19/2020 at Bloomingdale Christian Church in Bloomingdale, Indiana.  This covers some of the odd passages that we find in the Bible and how we can see how God cares for us through them, and what theses passages tell us about ourselves

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Recent Posts

  • A Christian Phone Company Is Launching. That Should Make Us Ask Better Questions.
  • Small Towns, Big Wounds: Why Rural Churches Keep Meeting Hidden Social Crises
  • Your Search Committee May Be Looking for a Unicorn and Calling It Discernment
  • Why So Many Rural Pastors Are Getting Older at the Same Time
  • How School Consolidation, Charter Schools, and Homeschooling Change Rural Ministry

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