Church and media conference to be held in September

A MAJOR conference exploring the relationship between the Church and the Christian media has been announced. The event to be held on 14th and 15th September, is organized by the Christian Broadcasts Council. It will be held at Trentham Gardens in Stoke-on-Trent and will feature a bevy of national and international speakers from the Church and media worlds. Those who have so far agreed to attend include Joel Edwards of Evangelical Alliance; Rory and Wendy Alec, founders of God Digital television network; Gerald Coates of the Pioneer stream of churches; Ian Mackie, managing director of United Christian Broadcasters; Brian Cook of HCJB radio; Alan Scotland of the Lifelink church stream; Gareth Littler, legal adviser and director for UCB; and Jonathan Bellamy, coordinator of Cross Rhythms.

Commented the CBC chairperson, Olave Snelling, This is a crucial time for the Church in the UK exploring its influence within society. The media plays an increasing role in influencing society's opinion and the way that we see things as a nation. In five years Christian media initiatives have grown to represent a multi-million pound industry in the UK. It is now time to examine the relationship between these initiatives and the Christian faith they represent."

A central aspect of the conference will be the legal/political campaign originated through Gareth Littler of UCB and its wider implications for all Christian media initiatives. Televised by God Digital, the annual awards ceremony will honour those involved in the making of excellent Christian programmes.

Said Cross Rhythms CEO Chris Cole, "I'd really like to encourage everybody interested in broadcast media and the way that it affects the Church to consider coming to what I believe is an historic conference." For more information write to David Rose at Cross Rhythms, PO Box 1110, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 8JR or phone Matt Carter on 01782 312746.