The Rural Think Tank

This podcast episode looks at various training options available in Rural and Small Church Ministry that don't break the ministry budget. These are options that were not available to us even 5-10 years ago. We are going to look at ways that these resources can equip both you and the ministry leaders in your church  for not a lot of money.  Links to things I mention in this episode: The R...

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 I mention in this episode: The Rural Think Tank - http://ruralthinktank.co...

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 Ministry 2nd Edition Book at Amazon - http://bit.do/rym2 Supportin...

This episode is all about reaching out into your community to make an impact. This includes ways to intentionally as a church to target both children and adults to hear the message and hope of Christ because the church is outside the building.  Links to things I mention in this episode: See You at the Pole - http://syatp.org The Rural Think Tank - http://ruralthinktank.com Rural Youth Ministr...

This message was given 9/15/2019 at Bloomingdale Christian Church  Links to things I mention in this message (or the ads): Intro Illustration - Laundry Love - https://www.rightnowmedia.org/content/illustration/97898 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

How do we use Social Media in Rural Ministry? This episode discusses tips and thoughts in using various social media platforms in rural ministry. 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

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, and congregation all love you.  Depression is a clinical diseas...

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 back away from that cliff.  You need this!  Links to things I mention in this episode: The Rural Thin...

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 Think Tank - http://ruralthinktank.com Rural Youth Ministry 2nd Edition Bo...

In this episode we are looking at how we can learn from the last 20 years or so of the histories of IBM and HP. They have made some strategy decisions over the years that helped them either grow larger or leaner. Which is the right choice for your ministry and community ? Links to things I mention in this episode: The Rural Think Tank - http://ruralthinktank.com Rural Youth Ministry 2nd Edition Bo...

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 years ago. We will also look at how local sports can be an avenue to integrate with our...

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 that is occurring. There are also ministry implications to this.  You w...

In this episode, I talk about how technology has made the world smaller, making it easier to get the message of Christ across the world in ways that we never would have imagined 20 (or even 10) years ago I also shared ways that small churches can make a global impact.  Also in the podcast, the links I mention are: The Rural Think Tank - http://ruralthinktank.com  Rural Youth Ministry 2nd...

In this episode, I share the history behind Rural Think Tank, why I am doing it, and where it is going from here.  You don't want to miss this episode.  Pastor/Youth Worker/ministry volunteer, the numbers that attend your ministry do not define you. God has called you to where you are, and you are enough. If you take nothing else from this podcast episode, marinate on that.  Also in...

Message from the AM service at Bloomingdale Christian Church, 8/11/19. Focal Passage is Luke 10:25-37

This message was recorded 7/28/2019 at Bloomingdale Christian Church in Bloomingdale, Indiana. 

This message was given 12/30/2018 at Bloomingdale Friends. It is the fourth and final message in the series : A Fresh Look at Christmas

This message was given 12/16/2018 at Bloomingdale Friends. It is the third message in the series : A Fresh Look At Christmas

This message was given 12/9/2018 at Bloomingdale Friends. It is the second in the message series: A Fresh Look at Christmas.

This message was given at Bloomingdale Friends on 12/2/2018. It is the first in a series: A Fresh Look at Christmas. 

This is a message given on 1/6/19 at Bloomingdale Friends and is the first message in the series : The Ministry of Jesus.

This is the seventh session in a study on the book of Colossians as recorded at Bloomingdale Friends August-October 2018

This is the sixth session in a study on the book of Colossians as recorded at Bloomingdale Friends August-October 2018

This is the fifth session in a study on the book of Colossians as recorded at Bloomingdale Friends August-October 2018

This is the fourth session in a study on the book of Colossians as recorded at Bloomingdale Friends August-October 2018