This Sunday was Favorite Hymn Sunday at our church. We had to meet in our fellowship hall because of an electrical problem in the sanctuary. To make the transition fun, we served lemonade and cookies between Sunday School and church. Just another Sunday at our small church in Chatham, Virginia.

Bruce Feiler, Council of Dads author, speaks at TEDxEast about his diagnosis with bone cancer, and his plan to provide his daughters with a “council of dads.”

OK Go is back with some nice hoodies and a goose. Check it out. The concept reminds me of the early Beatles’ films, but then I’m one of those insufferable baby boomers who think the world still revolves around the ’60s. HT: Fuller Youth Institute.

The six story tall statue of Jesus at the Solid Rock Church in Ohio was struck by lightning and burned to the ground last night. Church members respond to the loss of this Ohio landmark.

This is worth watching, and gives the viewer some perspective on the extent of the Gulf oil disaster.

NewChurchReport.com is undergoing some design changes that will make the site more attractive and readable. Check back soon!

Join Brandon O’Brien, author of The Strategically Small Church, and Chuck Warnock, contributing editor for Outreach magazine and blogger at Confessions of a Small-Church Pastor, for The Strengths of The Small Church webinar, May 6 from 11 am to 12 noon. Registration is free here.

Thomas Moore, the author of Care of the Soul, talks briefly about the element of surprise in spiritual direction.

Fuller’s Chap Clark and Eastern’s Duffy Robbins discuss what are the essentials leaders look for in a volunteer team.

Essential Leadership Part 3 from Fuller Youth Institute on Vimeo.