Working in PR is seldom confused with doing the Lord’s work. As a profession, it seems to carry a reputation for telling the truth selectively, or indeed saying anything that isn’t provably untrue, for a fistfull of dollars. How do Christians working in PR square that reputation with their faith? Is there a tension between truth and business? And what advice would they have for the Church’s own public relations?
Our Guest today is Nic Daley; a hardened PR professional working for Hill and Knowlton as a Crisis Comms and reputation management specialist.
Almost all of us spend our days immersed in the cultures of the world. And those cultures also tell brilliant stories – with subtlety, realism, and imagination. So how should faith and culture relate? Does faith even have anything to say about phenomena like Game of Thrones; Bake-Off; Park Run; Zombies; Extreme Sports; shows like Billions; and Brexit? And what is now the Church’s place in contemporary British culture?
Old questions – but there is a new book on the subject called Plugged In by Dr. Daniel Strange, who is the Director at Oak Hill College. I thought the book was a breath of fresh air because of the number of practical examples it gives about how Christians might relate their faith to the surrounding culture; and how people outside the church might become interested in the entanglement of the stories in the world, with the story of the gospel and of faith.
Pizza is known for feeding the grateful stomachs of hungry souls, but how do faith and food mix? In an individualistic, consumer culture – does it make any difference what motivates the staff and owners of the restaurants we frequent, beyond a passion for good food? And if employers will only take young people when they’re job ready, how do people get employed if they are never going to be job ready? I’m delighted to be joined by Bridget Callaghan who is building a pizza empire with a business model that has grown out of her faith.
Journalists have an important role in interpreting and articulating culture; telling stories; and shaping our understanding of the world we live in. How does faith fit in an industry that is famously secular? Where should forgiveness and mercy feature in the journalistic scrutiny of those in public life? And as we see news outlets chase stories that provoke outrage or emotion, will Good News only ever be found in the Gospel rather than in the Broadsheets?
With me to discuss faith in Journalism is the Deputy Comment Editor of the Daily Telegraph, Lucy Denyer.
Shownotes:
Edited by Peter Humphrey
Faith among journalists: source
Public trust in journalists & news: source
Politics seems at once full of mission – sometimes even carrying the promise of social salvation. And yet it is also perhaps prone to a cynicism that is almost the opposite of faith. How does personal faith influence the way that politicians do their work? Should politicians ‘do God’? Is faith even compatible with liberalism? And why are there still Bishops in the House of Lords?
To discuss faith in politics I’m delighted to be in conversation with Baroness Sal Brinton, who is President of the Liberal Democrats here in the UK, and a member of the House of Lords.
When retirement comes, how will it feel? Will it be a deprivation or a relief? What happens to our faith in retirement? Does being closer to death mean closer to God? To explore this I’m delighted to welcome Sir William Fittall – who is retired!
What difference does faith make in business? With me to explore faith in business is James Perry, co-founder of the ready meal company COOK, and also the director of B-Lab UK, which is a support organisation for B corporations.
Everyone wants God on their side in battle, but there’s always been an uneasy relationship between earthly force and divine direction. With me to explore the role of faith in the military is Major Luke Hoare.
The family is a haven in a heartless world, but do the faithful have a distinct vision of how to create that refuge? With me to discuss this is Krish Kandiah, founder and director of Home for Good.
Science is intrinsic to the way we understand the mechanics of the modern world but it has often been seen as in tension with faith, even though some of our greatest scientists have also had a personal faith. With me to explore the role of faith in science is Helen Johnson, a research fellow at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
‘Blessed are the peacemakers’ said Jesus, but have the faithful got anything distinctive to add to the laudable efforts of all the secular diplomats and negotiators that are trying to achieve settlements between people in conflict with one another?
With me to discuss this is Stephen Ruttle QC, a barrister at Brick Court Chambers in London, one of the top ten commercial mediators in the world, according to Who’s Who Legal. Stephen, welcome.
Faith and finance have never been easy bedfellows, ever since Jesus threw the money changers out of the temple, yet Christians are at work in the city as much as in the hospital wards and the food banks. However, amid the newspaper headlines of bankers rigging interest rates, dodging tax, and receiving enormous bonuses, it might be hard to see the hand of God at work.
With me to explore the role of faith in finance is Bobby St. John, a banker with over 30 years of experience. He now works as a partner at Centrus Advisors in London.
Film has always been closely connected with the portrayal of religion, and yet is the only art form not to originate from within the church. With me to discuss faith in film is Cate Wheatley, a senior lecturer in film studies at King’s College, London.
Digital Technology surrounds us, and infuses many of our daily lives as consumers, creators and citizens. But is it a force for connection, or alienation? Will technology enable communities of faith to come closer together, or just separate us from our physical neighbours? To discuss this I’ve come face to face with Ben Welby, who is a product manager in the Government Digital Service.
Faith is often seen as a personal comfort, and private relationship with God. But the Church today is deeply involved in practical actions to alleviate poverty and to advocate for the powerless. For example, food banks, which served over a million meals last year. Mostly, these have a Christian foundation, Christian management, and work in partnership with local churches.
It is a pleasure to be joined by Sarah Chapman, the co-founder of the Wandsworth foodbank in London. We’ve come to talk about the importance of faith amid poverty.
Faith is often thought to epitomise divisions within society. But a recent report challenges that idea with research which suggests that the church is actually the best place for social mixing between people of different ages, class, ethnicity, income, and politics.
I’m delighted to welcome Jon Yates, who is the co-founder of The Challenge. The Challenge is the UK’s leading charity for building a more integrated society. We’ve come to talk about the part that faith might play in bringing people together.
