In episode 3 Dave and Jeff talk about some of the musicians who have passed away recently, how to deal with anxiety, doing Easter online, Easter hats, and ham! It's most definitely not that terrible!  Enjoy and let us know what you think! 

Episode 2 is here of the new and improved Thumpcast!  Jeff and Dave answer more questions, talk about whether or not coronavirus in God's judgment, and take on churches that are remaining open.

The Thumpcast makes it triumphant return as Jeff and Dave talk pandemics, encouragement, and thumps!

The guys are joined by Pastor John Scott from True Vine Church in Piqua today.  They talk about God's calling on John's life and the road that led him into full time ministry.  You can learn more about Pastor Jon and True Vine Church at truevinechurch.us

Also mentioned in this podcast are the Auxano Bootcamps.  You can learn more about those at: http://auxano.com/bootcamp/

The guys are back from vacation and are joined by Houston Howard.  Houston is the founder of One 3 Creative http://www.one3storytelling.com/ and a Professor at the Los Angeles Film School http://www.lafilm.edu/ where he focuses on telling better stories.  Houston is a near lifelong friend of Jeff's and he talks about the journey God took him on that landed him in the film industry.

Highlights:

-How God changed Houston's prayer from "What kind of lawyer do you want me to be?" to "What do you want me to be?"

-The Nathan Model of storytelling and how the Bible is the first superstory

-What's wrong with Christian films today and how they can be better

-Viewing Hollywood as Nineveh and not Sodom

-Giving back by teaching kids how to tell stories

You can learn more about One 3's Superstory Academy here: http://superstory.academy/

You can reach Houston on Twitter @Houston_Howard or @one3creative

This episode Becky Perry rejoins the guys to talk about discipling kids.  Becky is the Children's Minister at Troy Christian Church in Troy, OH and we talk everything from transitioning ministries to when is the right time for kids to make a decision for Jesus.  It's practical, informative, and a great testimony of God moving! 

If you want to get a hold of Becky and pick her brain about Children's Ministry or just send her gifts she can be reached at [email protected]

Jeff and Dave are back this week to put a bow on our Will Heath two parter and talk about our experience at Catalyst Cincinnati last week.  Show notes from Craig Groschel's talk that we discuss at length:

Uncommon Fellowship requires Uncommon Unity

"Pursue discomfort"

1. Recognize we (churches) desperately need each other

   "Unity is NOT uniformity"

2. We err on the side of for and not against

3. We're going to give everything we can to stregthen others

    "We will lead the way with irrational genorsity"

4. We're going to love like Jesus loved

In part two of our conversation with Will Heath we get real practical about making change and transition in your church or organization.  You will want to take notes!  Will talks about 5 signposts to use when you facilitate change they are:

1. Pisgah

2. Teams

3. Search

4. Transition

5. Ceremony

Will explains each of these signposts in depth.  "Account for these," Will says, "and things will go well.  Don't account for even one of them and things will go bad."

In the course of the discussion we talk about ending ministries and the fact that no matter what there will be pain, but the process is ultimately the point.

Unfortunately I say Will's wrong twitter account in the episode, but the actual twitter where you can reach Will is at @willardheath or via e-mail at: [email protected]

The guys are back with the ThumpCast!  And to celebrate their 40th episode they have the first of a two part conversation with Will Heath from the Auxano Group.  Will works a Lead navigator for Auxano and he helps churches and leaders navigate transitions and changes and achieve clarity in their vision and direction.  In part one Will talks about his personal journey that led him into a relationship with Jesus and eventually to joining Auxano!

To learn more about Auxano visit auxano.com or connect them on Twitter @auxano

You can connect with Will on twitter @willardheath

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Church Unique by Will Mancini available here:http://www.lifeway.com/Product/church-unique-P005147475

God Dreams by Will Mancini available here:  http://www.lifeway.com/Product/god-dreams-P005760419

This week we talk about how important vision is in smaller churches and moreover how vital clarity is in getting the vision for your church. 

We discuss:

-Why small churches need vision to fight complexity

-We talk about the tendacy of smaller churches to roll out generic vision so they don't really have to change

-We talk about how complexity confuses disciple making

-We then shift to clarity and what you need to do to determine where you are.  That clarity takes time.

-We talk about the importance of starting with your leadership first

-3 ways to get clarity on who your church family is:

              -Conversations with members

              - Surveys at the right time

              -Prayer, prayer, and more prayer

Resources mentioned this week:

Simple Church by Thom Rainer and Eric Geiger https://www.amazon.com/Simple-Church-Returning-Process-Disciples/dp/0805447997/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1487273735&sr=8-1

Church Unique by Will Mancini  https://www.amazon.com/Simple-Church-Returning-Process-Disciples/dp/0805447997/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1487273735&sr=8-1