FAQ 8: Where do you source your information, analysis and expertise?
Ekklesia co-directors Simon Barrow and Jonathan Bartley, together with associate directors Jill Segger and Symon Hill, have established track records in working within the churches, the media, politics and public life. They have cultivated a very wide range of contacts and associates in both religious and secular spheres – including academics, campaigners, researchers and church NGO networks. See staff and associates for details. We have good relationships with a number of news agencies and academic institutions.
We seek to highlight and signpost high quality research, opinion, analysis and information provided by a host of individuals and organisations working to promote understanding of religion in public life. We also seek to make our own distinct contribution to this pool of wisdom, and to work with those who sympathise with our post-Christendom values, through our research, news briefing, theological commentary and advocacy.
In terms of 'news briefs', we have to be necessarily selective. We try to prioritise stories, information and perspectives that are underpresented in the 'mainstream' religious and secular media. We also seek a balance of geographical and confessional perspectives, with an injection of material from other faith or non-religious sources. Our focii include peace and reconciliation, restorative justice, political reform, Anabaptism, education, global issues, environment, sexuality, conflict transformation, poverty and movements for social and spiritual change.