Apply now for London Witness: our media training programme

Date added: 22/11/2016

Apply now for London Witness: our media training programme

The media remain fascinated by religion, faith and belief. Often, though, the agenda for these conversations is set by others. We are keen for Christians to tell their own stories confidently and creatively in the media. Today, more than ever, we have the potential to communicate the message of the Christian faith in the public sphere.

Changing the public conversation about God

What

London Witness is a six-week long interactive course for young lay members of the Church of England. We will offer training in successful, constructive, and articulate engagement. Participants can expect to learn skills in areas such as video, radio and social media as well as gaining the confidence to create press releases and blogs and to pitch articles to various media.

The programme will include a weekend away at the start of the course to enable the group to get to know each other – and provide peer-to-peer support as members go about their interactions with the media.

Outcome

At the end of the course, you will have improved your practical skills, confidence, and creativity in communicating Christian faith and the work of your church.

Why

The purpose of London Witness is to equip a group of mostly young people to communicate the Christian faith through the media – which is largely sceptical of faith in general and the institution of the Church of England in particular. In reality, the Church of England in London is growing and increasingly dynamic. In this context, equipping a new generation of Anglicans to communicate with the outside world isn’t just a luxury; it is a necessity.

While churches can be fearful of media engagement, experience suggests that a lack of proactive and positive engagement cedes the public square to those hostile to the faith, or to the most extreme and strident voices of faith. The Diocese of London is committed as part of our Capital Vision 2020 to equipping lay as well as ordained Anglicans to be confident Ambassadors for Christ.

Where

St Bride’s Fleet Street – the Journalists’ Church.

When

There will be a residential away weekend from 3-5 February 2017 and six weekly sessions (7, 14, 21, 28 February, 7 and 14 March 2017).

Who

Participants should be passionate about portraying the Gospel and the Church of England in a positive light in the public sphere. Those interested in the course will already have some enthusiasm for public communication whether in speaking, writing, or social media – but professional experience is not required. We are particularly looking for younger lay people who will reflect the diversity of the Church of England in London.

How to Apply

Download and fill in the application form at the bottom of this page. Please submit your application by 25 November 2016 to hello@theology-centre.org.

Interviews will be held on 1, 2, and 5 December 2016. Successful applicants will be offered their positions by 12 December 2016. Fees will be due 19 December 2016.

Costs

We are asking all participants to contribute a small amount towards the cost of running the course – with the rest being covered by the Diocese. We require a contribution from each participant of £99 – which will cover both the weekend away and the weekly sessions. If the cost of the fee is prohibitive for an applicant, we would be keen to have a conversation to see how the applicant might be able to raise support from their parish or other sources.

To apply, visit here: http://www.london.anglican.org/articles/london-witness-training-change-public-conversation-about-god/