Cross Section

Ep 138: Andy Burnham, 'Unite the Kingdom' and intergenerational divides

In this week’s episode of Cross Section, Danny Webster and Zanna Meynell are joined by Mark Gilmore, policy advisor at the Evangelical Alliance. Conversation turns to the damp squib that was the King’s Speech . It serves as a reminder that we cannot place all our hopes in politics.
The team discuss the implications of potential conversion practices legislation and the significance of that for Christians. From Andy Burnham to Keir Starmer, the team weigh in on what has happened with the Labour leadership race and the continuing chaos surrounding this political moment. As last Saturday saw another ‘Unite the Kingdom’ march, the team examine the continuing conversation around Christian nationalism in the UK. Do check out the briefing events that are coming up in June, which will help us engage in conversations around Islam and Christian nationalism.
The episode ends with a conversation about intergenerational divides following a BBC article about boomers being the luckiest generation alive.
https://www.eauk.org/what-we-do/events/islam-challenges-questions-and-gospel-opportunities
https://www.eauk.org/what-we-do/events/politics-briefing-flag-faith-and-kingdom-engaging-with-christian-nationalism
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction0:42 Eurovision highlights2:30 Praying with children4:03 Britain's Got Talent golden buzzer act5:29 The King's Speech review10:37 UK political leadership race13:58 Conversion therapy ban update24:41 ‘Unite the Kingdom’ march26:19 Intergenerational wealth gap32:15 Falling birth rates35:30 The church as an intergenerational family

Ep 137: Pastor Clive Johnston convicted, Keir Starmer's future and the UK elections unpacked

In this week's episode of Cross Section, the team discuss the conviction of Clive Johnston after he preached John 3:16 in a buffer zone, deep dive the election results and Keir Starmer's fragility as Prime Minister. How as Christians can we respond to this chaos? What are our freedoms and where can we turn when the world feels so fractured?
Chapters:
00:00 Welcome01:19 Abortion buffer zone case08:05 Gospel freedom and tactics11:26 Prayer in council meetings16:25 Banned speakers and marches22:02 Election results roundup28:38 Keir Starmer's leadership crisis36:32 Political fatigue and hope40:15 Closing thoughts

Ep 136: Faith under pressure: from antisemitism to Christian workplace rights

In this week’s episode of Cross Section, Peter Lynas, Danny Webster and Alicia Edmund sit down to discuss the latest headlines. The episode begins with some light-hearted stories: Peter reviews the Devil Wears Prada 2, and the rest of the panel discuss the Met Gala outfits that caught their eye.  
Conversation turns to the sad news that broke yesterday around Sam Allberry being stepped down from leadership at Immanuel Nashville. They reference the helpful statement that Living Out have put out, encouraging us to think about this prayerfully, with compassion.  
 The main discussion focuses on the Liberal Democrats admitting they unlawfully discriminated against former BBC journalist and prospective candidate David Campanale because of his Christian beliefs. In this polarised climate, with pressures and fear of cancel-culture, it can be hard to know how to talk about faith. The panel encourage us in speaking openly about Christianity, pointing to our resources that help us do so. 
The episode concludes with a conversation on the recent attacks against the UK’s Jewish community. How can we respond as Christians to rising antisemitism, security fears, political responses and the wider impact of protests on community safety? 
 
Chapters: 
00:00 Welcome and agenda01:21 Met Gala banter02:54 Sam Allberry steps down08:31 Lib Dems admit discrimination18:21 Faith at work and moral leadership27:12 Attacks on UK Jews34:48 Polarisation and closing thoughts 

Ep 135: Assisted dying, a divided Britain and Russell Brand

In this week’s episode of Cross Section, the team discuss the stopped assisted suicide bill. How has this happened? Could a similar bill come into the next parliamentary session? The team discuss the likelihood of assisted suicide returning and the fact that even if it doesn't return as a political conversation, it is still a cultural one. They also reflect on the church's role in talking about the value of life.
The conversation then widens to political polarisation, governance and social cohesion. How can Christians engage and speak into our fractured, political climate?
This leads into a chat about street preaching and two cases that have hit the headlines – an abortion buffer zone case in Northern Ireland and the Bread of Life Church in Essex.
The episode ends with a news roundup including Russell Brand’s viral interview with Piers Morgan in which he struggled to find Isaiah and reflections on the attempted assassination of Donald Trump.
https://open.substack.com/pub/zannameynell/p/from-the-femosphere-to-raye-navigating?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=post%20viewer
https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/is-the-assisted-suicide-bill-finished
 
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction01:12 Why the bill ran out of time03:12 Democracy and drafting legislation09:00 Will it return?13:17 Church response and cultural impact17:10 Polarisation and political health21:00 Street preaching legal cases28:48 Gospel freedom and wise witness31:19 News roundup35:42 Closing encouragement

Ep 134: Starmer under pressure over Mandelson - and AI ethics

In this week’s episode, the Cross Section team discuss integrity in public life. This week we have seen the Peter Mandelson vetting controversy, the sacking and parliamentary testimony of Foreign Office civil servant Olly Robbins, and questions around Starmer’s leadership. Will the prime minister survive? What are the political implications for government authority and the upcoming King’s Speech? Could the assisted suicide bill be reintroduced in the next parliamentary session?  
 
They also discuss the upcoming Scottish, Welsh and English local elections and the expected fragmentation amongst our five‑party politics. Check out our election page for more information on how to engage. 
 
Conversation then turns to the proposed smartphone restrictions in schools and wider concerns about AI chatbots, including Anthropic’s meeting with Christian leaders. They debate how churches and Christians should use AI. Where can it become dangerous and unhelpful? The episode concludes with the encouragement that amongst the global chaos, many are coming to faith. 
 
00:00 Welcome  
01:32 Mandelson scandal 
05:27 Competence versus integrity 
09:19 Will Starmer survive? 
15:16 Assisted suicide update 
16:16 Scotland, Wales and local elections 
19:02 Smartphone ban 
21:13 Can AI have a soul? 
26:41 AI in church life 
33:02 Free speech and immigration 
34:33 Apple CEO  

Bonus episode: Scottish Parliament elections and the role of the church

This special Cross Section episode focuses on the upcoming Scottish Parliament elections on 7 May. Lynne Patterson and Chris Ringland from the Evangelical Alliance Scotland team join Zanna as they discuss their vision for Scotland, the current church and cultural context, and the political landscape. Lynne describes spiritual openness, Church of Scotland closures and mergers, and growing ethnic and cultural diversity alongside Scotland’s distinct national identity and left-leaning political culture.  
Chris explains the Scottish Government’s devolved responsibilities, the role of MSPs and the additional member voting system. They highlight major election issues including the cost of living, health and social care, the economy, immigration, housing and ongoing division over independence, as well as Scotland’s high drug- and alcohol-related death rates.  
They encourage prayerful voting, attending hustings and praying for leaders and the vulnerable. 
Check out our election page for more information and to sign up for the prayer event. 

Ep 133: Is the ‘Quiet Revival’ fake news?

In the final episode of Season 13, Peter Lynas, Alicia Edmund and Danny Webster unpack the recent news from the Bible Society – that the YouGov data from The Quiet Revival report was invalid and has been discounted. How can we respond to this news?
While this is hard to process, we must remember that the findings haven’t been proven ‘wrong’ but are unreliable. The team point to other surveys, church leader feedback and recurring stories suggesting increased spiritual openness, particularly among younger adults.
The team also discuss the London ‘Together’ rally against the far right, questioning claims of unity, contested crowd sizes and the growing role of religion in public demonstrations. How, in our churches, can we bring unity amidst serious political differences?
They close with reflections on church division, moving from protest to prayerful engagement, and standout news headlines from the last week.
Is the 'Quiet Revival' fake news? - Evangelical Alliance
https://www.biblesociety.org.uk/the-q...
Chapters:
00:00 Welcome
00:29 Quiet Revival report withdrawn
01:08 Why the data failed
04:44 How surveys get skewed
06:18 Church response and hope
18:01 ‘Together’ rally
22:10 Unity, politics and faith
27:28 From protest to prayer
31:07 News picks and Easter
 

Bonus episode: From PIP payments to SEND: reframing the conversation on disability

Kay Morgan-Gurr, co-founder of the Additional Needs Alliance, and Alicia Edmund discuss the politics of disability and the attitudes that underly how we approach disability within the church. They also cover how proposed changes to both Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) provision and disability benefits will impact those living with disabilities.
Chapters:
0:00     Welcome
1:04     Kay's faith journey and lived experience with disability
2:52     The Get Britain Working white paper and PIP payments
9:14     Priorities for a government disability plan
11:33   Cultural attitudes and destigmatising disability
16:08   Discipleship and the role of the church for those with disabilities
24:35   Special Educational Needs reform
29:42   Practical advice for churches and closing remarks

Ep 132: Public prayer, dominance and the prince’s “quiet faith”

Peter Lynas, Danny Webster and Zanna Meynell discuss the row over the Iftar prayer in Trafalgar Square. They talk about Nick Timothy's comment 'mass ritual prayer in public places is an act of domination.' How do we respond to this? What is the line with freedom of religion and speech?
The team also talk about the Evangelical Alliance's new report Confident faith, contested culture and what this shows about how evangelicals' find sharing their faith in this cultural moment. Finally, the team discuss Prince William's comments about having a 'quiet faith'.
Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction1:11 - Assisted Suicide and abortion votes4:36 - Capybara on the loose5:29 - Muslim prayer in Trafalgar Square17:06 - Confident faith, contested culture report25:50 - Prince William's 'Quiet Faith' and new Archbishop31:33 - Closing thoughts and Easter encouragement

Ep 131: Theroux's manosphere doc and the Archbishop on abortion

Join Alicia Edmund, Danny Webster and Peter Lynas as they discuss stories at the intersection of faith, news and culture. They discuss Louis Theroux's 'Inside the Manosphere' Netflix documentary. What has it revealed? How does the Bible speak into it and this cultural moment?
The team also talk about the significant vote in the House of Lords regarding the decriminalisation of abortion. There have been some headlines around whether or not the new Archbishop of Canterbury will be there for the vote. This is a conversation Christians need to be speaking into and praying about.
Chapters:
0:00 - Welcome2:11 – Assisted suicide vote in Scotland3:20 - Mass wedding at Lakepointe Church5:34 - Louis Theroux and the manosphere12:36 – Christian response to the manosphere20:22 - Abortion and decriminalisation vote25:09 - Archbishop of Canterbury and the vote32:51 - Closing thoughts and encouragement