The Rural Think Tank

This episode goes into why this new training resource from Rural Think Tank is called "Near Miss".  I go through what that term means in the safety industry, and how we as parents have often had "Near Misses" with our children and not even realized the danger we unknowingly introduced. I talk about the mindset required as a vigilant parent.  To schedule a " Near Miss" Training in your co...

This episode is announcing the new training and tools from Rural Think Tank called Near Miss: An IT Professional Speaks Out on Keeping Kids Safe Online.  There are going to be live and online options for hosting this training with parents in your community.  To schedule a " Near Miss" Training in your community, go to http://ruralthinktank.com and click the contact button in the top righ...

Content Warning - This episode is not kid - friendly as it discusses the realities of keeping children safe on line.  ABC Nightline video on "Sloane Ryan" (not real name) that talks about how tactics and predators are being caught online by a special operations team at Bark.  Here is the full article from "Sloane" Voice for the Voiceless - This Episode is an interview with the mother of...

This episode is about the usefulness, pros, and cons associated with using an outside independent church consultant in cooperation with your search team. I share some of the things that I have experienced serving in this role for several churches.  As always, if this is a blessing, share this podcast with others. If you feel led, you can support this podcast at anchor.fm/ruralthinktank If you...

This episode is about the thing that many small and medium sized churches think they cover, but really neglect - Their IT We discuss Data Security, Backup, Hardware Refresh, and other things that many churches ignore, accidentally or on purpose.   I try my best to break down all the terms I discuss to terms that anyone who has ever turned on a computer understand.  As always, if this is...

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.

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&am...

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 t...

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

This episode explores some of the tough questions that need to be asked as a church goes through a pastor search process. It is by no means exhaustive, but designed to get you thinking about the discussions that need to happen during the search and interview process.  If you have thoughts/input/questions, go to ruralthinktank.com and hit the contact button or go to anchor.fm/ruralthinktank an...

This episode talks about my experience at a Operation Christmas Child processing center in Chicago and the lessons learned there that can translate to local community ministry efforts.  Things I mention in this episode: Operation Christmas Child - https://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/ Blessing Boxes - https://www.facebook.com/Blessing-BOX-1723297441261962/

This episode was recorded prior to episode 25, a prequel if you will. (If you have not listened to episode 25, you need to) This episode drills down on the need for churches to align their technology and social media outreaches to see them as a combination of tools that all are designed to extend the message of your church as opposed to individual "siloed" ministry efforts.  Things i mention...

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 I call for that need to take place in your congregation a...

This is a message given at Bainbridge Christian Church in Bainbridge, Indiana on 12/29/2019.  Focal Passage: I John 1:1-10 The Word of Life 1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclai...

This is a bonus episode about IT in the local small/rural church.  Links to things I mention in this episode: The Rural Think Tank - http://ruralthinktank.com Rural Youth Ministry 2nd Edition Book at Amazon - http://bit.do/rym2 Supporting this podcast - https://anchor.fm/ruralthinktank

I often refer to myself and the ministry I provide in my area as being a "Community Missionary". It's not an idea that is new or novel. I am sure that there are a lot of people like me all over rural areas that are doing some of the same things in my community that I do. The way I read the Bible in Matthew 28, It would be a great thing if every small community had it's own "Community Missionaries"...

This episode looks at some thoughts on how Church Security has changed in recent years.  Links to things I mention in this episode: The Rural Think Tank - http://ruralthinktank.com Rural Youth Ministry 2nd Edition Book at Amazon - http://bit.do/rym2 Supporting this podcast - https://anchor.fm/ruralthinktank

This episode looks at some of the things you encounter in rural ministry that they do not teach you about in college or seminary.  Links to things I mention in this episode: The Rural Think Tank - http://ruralthinktank.com Rural Youth Ministry 2nd Edition Book at Amazon - http://bit.do/rym2 Supporting this podcast - https://anchor.fm/ruralthinktank

This is a message given 11/24/2019 at Bloomingdale Friends Church, in Bloomingdale, Indiana. EPIC fails: Bible Edition. Part II We will be looking at how God used people in spite of their personalities, backgrounds and failures. Week 2 - Fear, Doubt and Past Shame  - We will be looking at Moses, Thomas, Gideon, Peter (Again!), Paul, Rahab, and Elijah

This is a message given 11/17/2019 at Bloomingdale Friends Church, in Bloomingdale, Indiana.  EPIC fails: Bible Edition. Part I We will be looking at how God used people in spite of their personalities, backgrounds and failures. Week 1 - Lust, Pride and, Lies - We will be looking at King David, Baalam, Samson, Peter, Jacob and Abraham, and how God still used them beyond their failures.

This episode talks about two new economic trends in rural america that we need to pay attention to as we serve our communities.  Links to things I mention in this episode: The Rural Think Tank - http://ruralthinktank.com The Rural Housing Crunch https://www.apnews.com/cdc232bebb5f4f8d93ed42de09e809ac https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2019/03/25/rural-america-f...

This episode talks about the need to keep safe the data and identity information that is commonly used within a church. Specifically, steps that can be taken in a Rural/Small Church environment to keep the data from the wrong hands. Small churches can be big targets. Links to things I mention in this episode: The Rural Think Tank - http://ruralthinktank.com Sophos Endpoint Antivirus - http://www.s...

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/rym...

This episode talks about the need to keep safe the data and identity information that is commonly used within a church. Specifically, steps that can be taken in a Rural/Small Church environment to keep the data from the wrong hands. Small churches can be big targets.  Links to things I mention in this episode: The Rural Think Tank - http://ruralthinktank.com Sophos Endpoint Antivirus - http:/...

Why do you do what you do in your church? It's a hard question to answer sometimes. Other times, the answer is clear - "Because that's the way we've ALWAYS done it". This episode discusses streamlining both worship services and ministry programming.  Links to things I mention in this episode: The Rural Think Tank - http://ruralthinktank.com Rural Youth Ministry 2nd Edition Book at Amazon - ht...