Wednesday 23 September, 2009

Arts
Economy
UK

By Charles Gardner

When I attended Premier Radio’s Christian web and new media awards in the City of London last Friday night, I found myself reflecting on how much had changed since I was last there some 36 years ago.

The world has changed – even the physical structure of the City itself has undergone a massive transformation and indeed the winds of change have blown through my own personal life.

There was such a contrast in so much that I was experiencing. I was there representing Lifebite as a finalist in the category ‘Best use of new media for a Christian campaign’. We didn’t win a prize, but it was nice to be recognised and all power to Premier for encouraging bloggers and the like to make an impact for Christ.

As it turned out, I felt the evening was something of a picture of what we do with Lifebite, and the message we try to get across.

For in travelling down the Northern Line from my mum’s home in Hampstead, I was going against the tide of early evening traffic as tens of thousands began returning from work. Not only that, but on what is recognised in the City as ‘dress-down day’, I was very much dolled up in my smart evening wear, bow tie included, and the focus of many a stare from gawking fellow commuters.

Then, as I emerged from the underground into a seething mass of City workers going in the opposite direction, I recognised some familiar sights like the Bank of England and, because I was early, decided to take a nostalgic walk up Lombard Street to where, back in the early 70s, I worked at the headquarters of Barclays Bank International on the corner of Gracechurch Street. I was surprised that it was still standing, though empty and for sale, while all three other corners were completely different – perfectly decent buildings replaced by even shinier and grander altars to the god of mammon.

And that’s the other thing that has changed. The god of mammon has been found wanting, especially in more recent times, as a global financial crisis has affected this part of the world more than most. Perhaps this is not surprising since, in God’s economy (expressed in the Holy Scriptures), “much shall be required from those who have been given much.”

And Great Britain has been endowed with tremendous blessing – in terms of wealth and influence – largely through her efforts to spread the gospel of Christ. But, like the Prodigal Son, she has squandered it in extravagant and loose living. We had the City slickers creaming off fat bonuses for deals that probably had little to do with a genuine desire to build up the economy. And, yes, money makes the world go round, but the “love of money is a root of all kinds of evil,” as the Bible emphatically puts it.

And so it was another contrast to be ushered into St Stephen’s Church, Walbrook, in the shadow of the Bank of England and Mansion House and designed by Sir Christopher Wren just a few years before his masterpiece on St Paul’s Cathedral. Don’t get me wrong; this is no run-down church struggling to keep up with the big world of banking. On the contrary, it is known as the ‘Internet Church’ presumably because it encourages the use of the web in spreading the gospel, and is perfectly suited to the sort of glitzy occasion we enjoyed on Friday with champagne (and delectable Chilean Merlot) flowing under exquisite chandeliers and a beautiful dome reminiscent of St Paul’s.

And just in case you’re not convinced about the glitzy nature of the evening, the main course of a stunning menu was paupiette of sole with leek and tarragon stuffing and fine herb butter sauce, accompanied by broad bean and potato puree and sweet peppers stuffed with butternut squash. I can assure you that it was delicious!

Surrounded by the impressive City skyline – representing the acquisitiveness of a material age – the setting of an ancient church dedicated to spiritual values was indeed a stark contrast, especially when hosting a hundred or so guests who have dedicated their lives to spreading the message of Christ, not mammon. Remember that Jesus said you cannot serve both God and money!

Jesus famously castigated the priests for turning God’s temple into a ‘den or robbers’ instead of a house of prayer.

But we are thrilled that Premier Christian Radio, who hosted these awards, have been granted a national digital licence and are now on air right across the UK as from the beginning of this week, meaning they can be heard in every British home that has a digital radio.

At a time when the Christian faith is being marginalised on so many fronts and its values undermined, Premier has been afforded the opportunity to share the gospel message in a relevant way through radio – right across the land!

We rejoice with them and trust that we may soon be able to do the same in print!

It was while I was in the banking world that I became a Christian and soon afterwards felt the call of God to write – not cheques and things, but wisdom like this: “Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.” (Proverbs 13.11) And, best of all: “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” (Proverbs 16.3)

Photo: Constantin Jurcut