2022 Media Communicators Network
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In today's world, journalism, movies, television, and social media dominate the way we, as an increasingly global community, understand and relate to the world and each other. If Christians wish to continue making a meaningful impact upon the world, gifted communicators who want to relate biblical Christian faith to contemporary culture through these media platforms will be greatly needed.
This Network seeks to encourage and equip such existing or emerging leaders who can speak with authenticity, relevance, and integrity from within these influential cultural arenas. It will also focus on biblical foundations and models, worldview analysis of media and popular culture, and critical reflections on creative communication in contemporary media contexts.
The ELF Media Communicators Network draws upon the strategies and the resources developed within the global Lausanne Media Engagement Network, and will seek to build friendships and facilitate networking and partnership among evangelical media communicators in Europe and beyond.
Prior preparation will be set for all applicants.
Applicants should be current or potential leaders who are gifted communicators in the media (in such creative fields as journalism, movies, television, or social media), media commentators, media critics, media teachers, or media scholars. Whatever the role, the common missional vision should be the wish to relate biblical Christian faith to contemporary media in a way that is authentic, appropriate, and relevant.
Network Leadership
Network Speakers
Lars Dahle is a theologian, educator, preacher, and apologist. Having a long previous experience in various academic leadership roles, he now works as Professor in Systematic Theology (with a speciality in Christian Apologetics) at NLA University… Read more
Per Ewert is the director of The Clapham Institute, Sweden’s leading Christian think tank and research institute. His PhD describes the political process which shaped Sweden into the world's arguably most secular-individualistic nation. Per is the author of several books on apologetics,… Read more
Andrew Fellows was appointed pastor of a church in Bradford, West Yorkshire in 1988 where he served for seven years. In 1995 his family moved to the English branch of L’Abri Fellowship, where they lived and worked for 21 years. From 2011 to 2016 Andrew was the chairman of L’Abri International.… Read more
Alexander Fink is Director of the Institute for Faith and Science (Institut für Glaube und Wissenschaft) in Marburg, Germany (www.iguw.de). He studied physics at Bayreuth and St. Andrews (UK) universities and received his PhD at the Institute for Biophysics at… Read more
Kristi Mair teaches philosophy, ethics, and apologetics at Oak Hill College in London, UK, where she also provides pastoral support for F students. She holds a degree in philosophy and theology, as well as an MA in philosophy of religion and ethics. She is currently working on her PhD in the… Read more
Tom Price is a lecturer at OCCA The Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics and was made an Archbishop’s Evangelist in 2019. He has experience and interest in outreach, cultural engagement, Bible teaching, and discipleship. He has degrees in Philosophy and Christian Apologetics and is currently… Read more
Tony Rinaudo is known as “The Forest Maker.” His pioneering work on Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) since 1983 has revived millions of hectares from desolate dry ground to thriving arable land across more than twenty countries in Africa. This rehabilitation brings with it increased… Read more
John Stevens is the National Director of the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches, a family of over 500 Bible-centred churches in the UK, a position that he has held since 2010. Prior to this he was one of the founding pastors of City Evangelical Church Birmingham, which was planted in… Read more
Sheridan Voysey is a writer, speaker and broadcaster on faith and spirituality. He is the author of eight books, including Reflect with Sheridan (Lion Hudson, 2020), The Making of Us: Who We Can Become When life Doesn’t Go as Planned (Thomas Nelson/… Read more
Network Programme
Sunday, 22 May
In a world of lockdowns, isolations, and limited social interaction, most of us have not spent more time at home within our four walls than we have now; and yet, despite this, most of us could not feel less at home. This seminar explores the deep-seated longing for home all humanity bears, and how it is that we can creatively engage with this desire through mainstream media in a world marred by the ongoing pandemic.
What does it take to bring Christian ideas to the public square in a way that’s winsome and credible? Our speaker, Sheridan Voysey, is a presenter of Pause for Thought, an inspirational segment on Britain’s largest broadcaster, BBC Radio 2, heard by 9 million breakfast radio listeners daily. In addition, in 2006 Sheridan and Hope Media launched Open House, a nationally-syndicated talk show aimed at engaging Australia’s ‘spiritual but not religious’ crowd. In this session, we will consider the four commitments that have driven these and other media ventures—commitments to be missional, credible, holistic, and hospitable—which can help Christian communicators of all kinds engage secular audiences.
Monday, 23 May
Why do some movies connect with us so deeply, speak to us so powerfully? It could be that movies offer some arrestingly honest reflections on the nature of humanity, the unanswered questions and important discussions of today. But is there more to it than this? This seminar will explore these questions and show you through viewing some fantastic film clips why engaging with movies is one of the most fruitful ways to go about engaging with those who need Jesus Christ. As well as giving you practical advice, full movie/film clip recommendations, and tips for those conversations and discussions.
The modern world was constructed with the self at the centre of everything, hence why this is the ‘age of the self’. It is not hard to see the benefits accruing from our exalted position. Humans are the new gods presiding over the affairs of this world. This, however, cannot disguise the fragility of the modern self—especially when it comes to a secure identity. This session explores the making of the 'ego pagan' and the dire consequences that flow from this. We will also consider ways that Christians involved with media should respond.
Tuesday, 24 May
Media coverage has helped create global awareness of Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration and the importance of environmental restoration to the poor, the environment, and climate. What is our duty as Christians in caring for creation and stewarding well the earth we have been given? How can we best communicate about the church's role in environmental restoration? This is a joint session between the Media Communicators and Scientists Networks.
How did secular individualism gain such a strong influence in the West? What are the roots of this philosophy? This session will address these questions and suggest ways we as Christians can communicate a Christian worldview as a better and more sustainable alternative for both individuals and society.
Wednesday, 25 May
Tragically recent years have seen a number of leadership scandals involving sexual and spiritual abuse engulf the church in America and the United Kingdom. This has included RZIM, Acts29, Mars Hill Church, Willow Creek Community Church, Sovereign Grace Ministries and the John Smyth, Steve Timmis and Jonathan Fletcher scandals in Britain. Social media has played a significant part in rightly bringing these scandals to light, but it has also been used to vilify leaders who are innocent of wrongdoing or themselves victims of the abuse. This session will consider both the proper and improper use of social media in the context of church abuse, and how institutions and leaders can respond in a godly way respond when they are subjected to scrutiny or abuse on social media. John Stevens has helped the conservative evangelical constituency in the UK address serious cases of leadership failure and will share from his personal experiences on Twitter and Facebook.
In the final session of the Network, participants will reflect on the insights and outcomes of the week, identify take-aways, and spend time together in prayer.