Welcome to Culture Footprint, featuring one of the people of God making a difference in the world today, aiming to be an inspiring presence and telling the story of Christ in the culture.
Andrew Graystone is the Director of the Churches Media Council, a national body that builds bridges between the Christian community and the media. He aims to support Christians working in the media, and challenge the media industry to live up to its high calling. He regularly writes and presents programmes for BBC Radio 2 and Radio 4, including Daily Service and Sunday Worship. He also trains and advises Christian groups on how best to engage with the fast-changing media environment. Andrew worked for BBC Religion for over a decade, as a producer and as Development Executive. He stood as a Labour Party candidate in the 2005 General Election, though can't altogether remember why. When the sun shines Andrew supports Stockport County FC, because God favours the weak.
As a child what did you want to be when you grew up?
Either an orchestra conductor, a midwife or a clown. Looking at the work I'm doing, it probably combines something of all three.
How did you get involved in media?
Entirely by accident. I was unemployed, living in Manchester and didn't want to move. I saw a job advert for a TV Researcher at the BBC. I thought "How hard can that be?" So I applied. Apparently, so did 799 other people. On my first day at work my new boss said "Never forget there are 799 people still in the queue for your job." No pressure then.
My cultural highlight of this year so far is...
Probably watching the Oscar-winning documentary Man on Wire. Or it might have been the surprisingly inventive Macbeth at the Manchester Royal Exchange. No, it was seeing Leonard Cohen live in concert. He's 73 now, but he played for three hours straight, then skipped off the stage like a teenager. "There ain't no cure for love."
Who has been the biggest influence in your work?
Pastorally, probably Revd Ian Bunting, who was my first boss (when I worked in a church in North East England). He said he valued his staff according to how much nuisance they caused, and that I had not disappointed him! Managerially, it would be Chris Loughlin, my long-term long-suffering boss at the BBC.
What is the big issue you are facing in media?
We're living at the cusp of a digital revolution that will change so much. Already it's changing the way we shop, bank, play and communicate. Increasingly it will transform the way we perceive ourselves, the way we form communities and the way we form our beliefs. The media industry has barely begun to formulate values for the new era. The church has a lot of catching-up to do.
Which movie character do you most relate to?
Forrest Gump.
The interview Frost/Nixon has been turned into a film. Which one next?
The research interview I did with Stephen Hawking when I was a newly appointed TV Researcher would probably make a good movie. I spent one and a half days with just him and me, head to head. I was battling to get him to admit that he believes in God. A unique experience.
Tell us one of your most hilarious faux pas.
I was out filming a driving sequence with a presenter behind the wheel. As a fresh TV Director, very conscious of my health and safety training, I'd prepared a long lecture on safe practice whilst filming and driving. "Tell me," I began, "have you ever driven whilst being filmed before?" "Well," she said, "I did present Top Gear for 5 years. Does that count?"
What's the one thing you couldn't live without?
My mobile. Sad but true.
What living person do you most admire, and why?
Hmmm. There are so many. As an artist – probably Leonard Cohen. As a Christian leader - maybe Bishop David Jenkins? As a person - probably my 18 year-old daughter Ruth.
What is your most treasured possession?
Broo, my ancient blue teddy bear.
What do you consider your greatest achievement so far?
Someone once asked Cliff Richard what his greatest achievement was. He said "that I've never hit a journalist." I'm not sure about my greatest achievement, but I'm proud of having once persuaded The Sun to devote its entire centre-fold to an illustrated version of a Bible story.
Who would you put in a celebrity Big Brother house?
Archbishop John Sentamu (though I believe he's already said no).
What Christian story or biblical text motivates you in your work?
I love the book of Habbakuk – where Habbakuk complains to God about why the world is in such a mess and why he isn't doing anything about it. God says (in Habbakuk 1 verse 5) Look among the nations, and watch, and be utterly amazed...because I am doing a work in your age that you wouldn't believe, even if you were told. Well God, I'm looking.
Martin Luther King Jr had a dream for society. What is yours?
This is not quite a dream for society, but I have a dream of a network to provide encouragement, support, challenge and discipleship for Christians and others who work in the media.
What is the main hindrance to living the dream?
This is not quite a dream for society, but I have a dream of a network to provide encouragement, support, challenge and discipleship for Christians and others who work in the media.
I didn't get where I am today without...
...being where I was yesterday.
What makes you angry?
People (especially Christians) who can't let go of the past.
How can media bring wellbeing in society over the next 10 years?
Digital media create fantastic opportunities to connect people, educate and inform people. But all the talk I hear in media policy circles is about monetising the digital space. That's such a poor, limited ambition. We need a much bigger vision for how we can use the new technology God has given us.
Tell us a joke
"Doctor, I've been watching so much TV that I think I'm going deaf." "What are the symptoms?" "They're a yellow cartoon family from Springfield."
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Culture Footprint: Bridget Adams Bridget Adams started her working life as a physicist in university and government laboratories before moving into the high-tech business sector where she worked in sales, marketing, management, and consultancy. Bridget now works to help start, develop and network Christian-run businesses, and runs WorkPlace Inspired. Business as Mission is one of her passions.
Culture Footprint: Theresa Stone Theresa studied English Literature at Goldsmiths University in London, before doing a multi-media journalism masters at Bournemouth University. She has worked freelance at Premier Christian Radio, Christian Solidarity Worldwide and Micah Challenge International. She is now the prayer & communications coordinator for 24-7 Prayer UK. Theresa has a passion for prayer, church unity, mission, justice, and telling God stories.
Culture Footprint: Steve Legg Steve is an evangelist from Littlehampton in West Sussex who has travelled the length and breadth of the UK and internationally for the last 25 years using a daft mix of comedy, trickery, mystery and escapology to communicate the gospel. He has also written 13 books and these days devotes a lot of time to running Sorted Magazine. Originally from Bournemouth, he became a Christian as a teenager at a Boys’ Brigade camp. Steve loves a good curry, never misses Eggheads on BBC2 and plays badminton every day.
Culture Footprint: Andy Silver Andy Silver is director of Pop Connection. A Welshman, born in Cardiff, he studied music at Cardiff University and then taught for a number of years. Andy gave up teaching to do a theology course which led him to work in a church as music director and youth/children's worker in Southampton. Next, he became director of training at Capernwray in the Lake District and then joined the staff at Elmwood Church Salford in 2000, where he started working in primary schools using music to create a long-term relationship between school and church. Pop Connection is a charity aiming to unite schools, churches and communities through the power of music.
Culture Footprint: Hayley Matthews Hayley Matthews is a chaplain to MediaCityUK and coordinator of The Anchor project, the chaplaincy in MediaCityUK. Hayley works with media and the local community, is part of Salford University’s chaplaincy team and also works with local faith groups. She is passionate about communicating the gospel to a post-modern, secular, multifarious technological world using the tools and language that people understand.
Date Created: 25 March 2009
Last Modified: 25 March 2009
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