New Church Report » Spotlight

Singing hymns and serving lemonade

admin — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 00:22:43 +0000

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 TED

admin — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 12:25:53 +0000

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.”

New OK Go video, End Love…plus a goose

admin — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 11:46:32 +0000

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.

Giant Jesus Statue Struck By Lightning Burns

admin — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 11:43:53 +0000

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.

NASA satellite images of the Gulf oil disaster

admin — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 00:12:25 +0000

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

New Church Report undergoing changes!

admin — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 23:44:46 +0000

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

Join BCL’s Small Church Webinar on May 6

admin — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 20:29:28 +0000

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 Talks About Surprise as Metanoia

admin — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 22:13:09 +0000

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

What’s Essential For You When Leading a Volunteer Youth Ministry Team?

admin — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 16:49:08 +0000

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.

CBS Images from Haiti

admin — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 19:17:43 +0000

At The Cross by Michael Robert

admin — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 10:30:49 +0000

The Future is Mobile

admin — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 01:36:34 +0000

Experience Mobile Mobile from James Théophane Jnr on Vimeo.

Okay, I know this is late for Christmas, but this is pretty cool. Mobile phones have more than one use, it appears.

Anne Graham Lotz Interview

admin — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 13:07:22 +0000

Watch Invisiblepeople.TV

admin — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:07:40 +0000

Lori and Savanna from InvisiblePeople.tv on Vimeo.

An Amazing Liturgical Experience

admin — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:20:08 +0000

I realize that this is the wrong season of the year for this, but I just discovered it and was amazed by the power of this worship experience.

A21 Campaign Targets Sex-slave Trafficking

admin — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 01:11:12 +0000

The A21 Campaign: abolishing injustice in the 21st century – Watch more Videos at Vodpod.

Brian McLaren explores hope

admin — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 00:35:34 +0000

President Obama Accepts Nobel Peace Prize

admin — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 18:31:29 +0000

Greg Clarke reviews Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol

admin — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 19:21:14 +0000

C. S. Lewis’ journey toward Jesus Christ

admin — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 01:38:06 +0000

Blind Willie Johnson singing Trouble Soon Be Over

admin — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 17:21:30 +0000

Meet Blind Willie Johnson singing Jesus Coming Soon!

admin — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 17:15:01 +0000

David Goatley on Baptists’ 400th Anniversary

admin — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 02:26:54 +0000

The Family in Doug Coe’s Own Words

admin — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 19:15:20 +0000

The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power by Jeff Sharlet tells the story of a secret evangelical organization also know as The Fellowship, or the Christian mafia. Headed by Doug Coe, who now is semi-retired according to Sharlet, the Family sponsors the National Prayer Breakfast each February in Washington, D. C.. Before Sharlet’s book was published, NBC reported on The Family in this clip. Video tape obtained by Sharlet and NBC, shows Doug Coe invoking the names of Hitler and Mao as examples of leadership and commitment. I interviewed Jeff Sharlet, posted at Confessions of a Small-Church Pastor. My review of The Family is at Amicus Dei.

Former Illegal Immigrant and Migrant Worker Becomes Brain Surgeon

admin — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 13:54:44 +0000

The life of Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa may sound like a movie script, but it is no fiction. Twenty years ago, he hopped a border fence from Mexico into the United States and became a migrant farmworker. From there, to community college to a UC Berkeley scholarship, to Harvard Medical School, 38-year-old Dr. Q, as he is known, is now a neurosurgeon and professor at Johns Hopkins University. His stated goal is to help cure brain cancer. Watch his amazing journey. (Courtesy KarmaTube)

Astrophysicist discusses the design of the universe

admin — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:49:40 +0000

George Smoot looks into the farthest reaches of space to the oldest objects in the known universe: fluctuations in the remnants of creation. Using data collected from satellites such as COBE and WMAP, scanning the cosmic microwave background radiation (a relic of the heat unleashed after the Big Bang), he probes the shape of the universe. In 1992 he and his Berkeley team discovered that the universe, once thought to be smooth and uniform at the largest scale, is actually anisotropic — or varied and lumpy.

Smoot continues to investigate of the structure of the universe at the University of California at Berkeley, mapping billions of galaxies and filaments of dark matter in hope of uncovering the secrets of the universe’s origins.

Poem for the rooftops of Iran, June 19, 2009

admin — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 19:48:41 +0000

The rallying cry of those opposed to the fraudulent election in Iran is “Allah o Akbar.” They call on God in the middle of the night, under cover of darkness, standing in solidarity with those who love freedom and oppose tyranny. This poignant poem for the rooftops was shot the night before the violence of Saturday, June 20, 2009.

Ex-Moonie tells how cults think

admin — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:24:39 +0000

Diane Benscoter talks about how she joined the Moonies — and stayed for five long years. She shares an insider’s perspective on cults and extremist movements, and proposes a new way to think about today’s most troubling conflicts.

Why Do We Live This Way?

admin — Fri, 29 May 2009 13:46:01 +0000

Singer Brett Drennen’s music video, Ain’t No Reason, asks why do we live this way? What if the problems and people of the world came to our homes and lives. Good song, powerful insight.

Dining with sinners

admin — Tue, 26 May 2009 01:04:04 +0000

Here’s Ed Stetzer’s latest video from his tour of Europe. Ed interviews Michael Carpenter, founding pastor of Matthew’s Table, a missional church plant and coffee house in Lebanon, TN. Watch Ed’s video for what Michael and his team are doing.

The Amazing Ethiopian Churches of Lalibela

admin — Tue, 19 May 2009 22:29:11 +0000

I’ve been reading The Lost History of Christianity by Philip Jenkins. In this book about the church of the East, Jenkins writes about the extraordinary history of the Church in Ethiopia. Here’s a short clip of the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela.

CDC Discusses Symptons and Treatment of Swine Flu

admin — Fri, 01 May 2009 00:20:29 +0000

Churches might want to be aware of the symptons and treatments of swine flu, presented here in this CDC video.

For Earth Day, grow your own food

admin — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 01:22:01 +0000

I love the Dervaes in Pasadena, CA who have been featured on Oprah, CBS, and a host of other places. Watch the video about the frontyard garden revolution that’s gaining momentum. We have a backyard garden, which you can see at our blog, EdensPath.net, or Goodthoughts.net

Every mama’s nightmare

admin — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 01:07:48 +0000

Florida Hospital Church produces some great videos, and this one is a favorite of mine. Don’t you think the pastor looks like Mac Brunson? Maybe his brother. Check out their other videos at their church website, hospitalchurch.org.

Who says Catholics don’t have a sense of humor?

admin — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 15:00:20 +0000

Who says Catholics don’t have a sense of humor? And at Easter, too. Watch this cute, and probably effective, infomercial spoof with a serious message.

How would you like this call to worship?

admin — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 04:01:02 +0000

Hero (Courageous Church) from Courageous Church on Vimeo.
Shaun King and Courageous Church open with some hip hop dancing and dj-ing to kick off worship.

The court has ruled, but you decide

admin — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 01:20:45 +0000

In 2006, Brittany McComb was chosen as one of the valedictory speakers for her graduation. Her speech started harmlessly, but a little over a minute-and-a-half, Brittany was telling about her experience finding God and of God’s love. School officials shut off her microphone, and you can see the off-mic speech as Brittany tries to continue, and then engages with two school officials about the incident. Brittany and her parents sued, claiming that her free speech guarantees were violated. This week the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed their lawsuit and ruled for the school board. What do you think? Were Brittany’s free speech rights violated, or should she have known better than to give her Christian testimony at graduation?

Free Breakfast at Courageous Church

admin — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 02:14:00 +0000

Watch Shaun King and his church in action as they do their free breakfast thing and then take breakfast to the homeless, all on a Sunday morning. This is very cool! Check out their site at Freebreakfastchurch.com

De-Baptizing Yourself is Like Unwinding A Clock

admin — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 01:42:09 +0000

Read Steve Taylor’s excellent narrative on this video and the whole idea of de-baptism.

Hannity on faith and torture: Does he speak for you?

admin — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 04:30:39 +0000

Sean Hannity says he is a Christian, but would have no problem with sticking someone’s head in a bucket of water to scare them into telling about impending military attacks. What do you think? Watch the clip and see if his views are compatible with yours.

Chrislam in west Africa

admin — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 16:13:58 +0000

Chrislam: Syncretism or savvy cultural awareness?

HT: SolaFide

Jesus thru the ages

admin — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 01:52:02 +0000

Jonny Baker put together these morphed images of Jesus through the ages.

Right, left Christian leaders unite against poverty

admin — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 21:44:54 +0000

Matt Chandler: Silly Myths vs. Godliness

admin — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 04:05:07 +0000

HT: InternetMonk

The Shack and The Future of Christian Mysticism

admin — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 02:21:16 +0000

Carl McColman at The Website of Unknowing (aka anamchara.com) has an interesting list of 7 future trends for Christian mysticism. Here’s what McColman says, “I think everyone kind of gets it that post-modernity is a hinge time, where we’re after something that no longer works (modernity) and we don’t really know yet what it is we’re before.” Carl then lists these future trends that I find intriguing, and haven’t seen anywhere else. Oh, and Carl thinks the popularity of The Shack reflects some of these new trends in Christian spirituality now. Read his post, and watch for Carl’s new book on mysticism coming soon.

HT: zoecarnate

Pro-God bus campaign launches in UK

admin — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 03:44:30 +0000

It seems the Reverend George Hargreaves got tired of Richard Dawkin’s anti-god bus advertising campaign. Hargreaves has paid for 50 advertisements on buses in London. The buses will carry a take-off on the atheists’ campaign slogan, “There probably is no God; so stop worrying and enjoy life.”

Hargreaves’ advertisements will read: “There definitely is a God; so join the Christian Party and enjoy your life.”

I assume the “Christian Party” is a British way of saying “celebration,” not political party. Click here for the full article. Unfortunately, no photos yet of the soon-to-be-unveiled campaign banners.

If your server was John the Baptist

admin — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 21:47:32 +0000

Source: The Christian Post

Jimmy Carter on MidEast Peace

admin — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 17:59:54 +0000

Jimmy Carter is interviewed for Religion News Service’s “10-Minutes With…” series. Cathleen Falsani, who wrote the article and talked with Carter, says “Carter’s recent book, “We Can Have Peace in the Holy Land: A Plan that Will Work,” reviews the contributions of past U.S. presidents toward peace in Israel and Palestine, and advances his hopes that President Obama might be able to complete the task.”

Former President Carter brokered the first peace accord between Menachem Begin of Israel, and Anwar Sadat of Egypt. For that achievement Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and Anwar Sadat was assasinated by factions in Egypt who opposed peace with Israel Read the full article here.

What else could go wrong?

admin — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 03:13:38 +0000

Source: Time.com

Help spread the word about New Church Report

admin — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 12:44:57 +0000

NewChurchReport.com is being picked up as the go-to source for interesting and innovative articles. Two stories shared here first this week were picked up by other sites. That’s the idea! If you pick up a story from NewChurchReport.com, please give us the old hat tip like this – HT:NewChurchReport.com – Thanks for spreading the word!