Cross plot : mapping out your career dreams as a Christian in media

Once again a conference held at the Hayes Centre in Derby by the Church and Media Network on the 13th - 14th of June has proved to be a resounding success.

"It can sometimes be a lonely place, working in a media environment and holding faith to one's core beliefs," said one young delegate. "The conference offers support and reminds me I can map out a good career for myself and am not alone."

Far from it; the annual Church and Media Conference is become a real oasis for all Christians working in media, it continues to offer a place to meet, exchange ideas, listen, plot and plan future dreams.

Speakers this year included big hitters such as BBC controller, Danny Cohen, who proudly announced; "'Songs of Praise' is celebrating its 50th year and I'm very conscious of that anniversary. I think it is the longest-running
religious programme in the world."

Other past speakers have included Duncan Williams, the regional magazine and newspaper publisher, rumoured to be behind a recently attempted 'ethical consortium buyout' of the Sport Media Group.

Williams described the Church and Media Conference as; "One of the most inspiring events I have attended. Life changing!"

So, is Britain actually regaining it's Christian voice; is this being reflected in powerful changes of attitude within the media industry?

"I think we still have a very long way to go," admitted a regular attendee. "But this Conference is certainly doing more than a little to help map a pathway."


For more info : http://www.mediafutures.info

Duncan Williams : Christians and Finance

CHRISTIANS AND FINANCE: A new force for good?

"The successful multi-dimensional media project needs financial profitability, as well as a beneficial message, as a key ingredient... To invest means to increase outlay, to have faith and to encourage expansion and return. In monetary terms this ought to be investing money for good willed purposes so as to reap further dividends of the same. Money and goodwill need not, and must not be alien. The alignment of the two is the right use of financial expertise. Money is, after all, only a proxy for actual goods or services, and it can be an active and very potent energy for good works."

Duncan Williams - Christian Media Investor and member of Christians in Finance
Speaking at UPLOAD : Standing Together - Christians in Journalism and theMediaNet.org held at All Souls Church, Langham Place, London, February 19th, 2011.

More details of UPLOAD are attached at this link; www.box.net/shared/ygfilrypvr
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The Good, The Bad and The Unfunded

Organised jointly by theMediaNet and Christians in Journalism, there were certainly some bemused faces at BBC Radio's spiritual home, All Souls Church in Langham Place, on Saturday morning of February 19th.

"It is time we were all weaned from the begging bowl and started to earn our keep," began the wake up call.

"The tyranny of positive thinking is definitely not what is required from Christian do gooders in this age of economic austerity. Compulsory funding, grant stalking and donation dependence are all things of the past. It's time we learnt to stand on our own two feet..."

So proclaimed radical media investor Duncan Williams at the recent UPLOAD: Standing Together conference held in Central London.

Mammon and God have never been easy bedfellows and in the provocative talk by Williams which followed, entitled simply, "Money, money, money!", there were sure to be a few ruffled feathers amongst a flock of Christians all too used to receiving donations and charity for their good works and public service.

Williams stormed in with the suggestion that; "Go to any beauty contest and what do you hear the contestants proclaim?... That they want to help the poor, educated underprivileged children and work toward world peace... So what? We all want to do that!" he snapped. "The real skill is in being able realistically actualise and FUND that vision."

"Creating worthy projects and charities that do not have a self funding dimension in this age is simply contributing to the problem. All too often you unwittingly or otherwise are designing a debt machine which is not a public service at all, whose primary function is leak a salary to a small clique of, so called, 'charity' workers or employees."

By this point a stunned silence had broken out. Then suddenly questions were being fielded thick and fast. Even event co-ordinator Andrew Graystone felt compelled to remind the speaker that donations, service and giving freely were cornerstones of the Christian faith.

Undeterred in making his point, Williams insisted that; "The genius of someone like Bob Geldof is that he saw a problem and had provided a workable answer. Creating an offshoot of good works in the process. Good causes that do not have a sound and sensible business plan in order to successfully raise their funding source are redundant and ultimately damaging."

One voice spoke up at the back. A fitting comment considering the location; "What about the BBC? That is a public service that has successfully found a way of providing funding for itself..."

Another moment of uncomfortable quiet. At a time of multi-channel, multi-platform, multi-everything media, the justification of a compulsary licence fee is being seriously questioned.

Andrew Graystone himself had been employed by BBC religion for over a decade.

Duncan Williams is known to advocate the introduction of commercial funding and pay per view faith channels.

Perhaps this debate would be better held at another time and in another place? Hallowed ground and within earshot, criticism of BBC funding is still regarded as a sacred cow.


(Pictured at top: Duncan Williams and Andrew Graystone )

THE SON - Christian tabloid newspaper

Open publication - Free publishing - More the son

London Calling - The Son reaches the capital!

"Join us in beating a path for tabloid reform," says Duncan Williams

The Son has been successfully distributed throughout one of London's major boroughs during the winter period.

Warmly received by all Christian churches in the local community following a brief presentation of the visionary tabloid title at Holy Trinity Brompton's acclaimed Alpha Course, demand to stock the paper at neighbouring churches quickly grew in momentum.

"It really has been great to see this positive news redtop so well received by our community," says local churchgoer and Christian media campaigner, Duncan Williams. "Particularly in the wake of the demand for ethical reform engulfing the popular press in the UK, I feel that The Son really is beating a path for a change for the better."

In addition to copies going out in Catholic, C of E and Methodist Churches all across the Royal Borough, Christian outreach services, such as The Trust and the Salvation Army, have also reported favourable responses to the good news tabloid.

"It's a welcome breath of fresh air," says retired Corporal Roy Turner of the World's End Estate's Salvation Army group. "I think people are getting very tired of negative stories and need a little bit of uplifting news."

Patients at the nearby Chelsea and Westminster Hospital also appeared to agree. When copies of The Son were distributed throughout the wards by the Chaplaincy team over the Christmas period, the general was hugely favourable. One nurse even saying to the team; "Thank you to The Son this is a real tonic for people who are unable to celebrate their Christmas at home and need a little bit of uplifting news."

The Son - We Love Him!

http://www.theson.org.uk/

The Son - Christian tabloid newspaper

Open publication - Free publishing - More tabloid

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