What is the best way to choose our leaders? How do we pastor those impacted by adoption and abortion? Is social media that bad for us?

In this episode, Phil Topham, Adrian Reynolds, and John Stevens discuss stories in the news from the past weeks and what lessons we can learn from them for church leadership.

Show notes:

• FIEC Leaders' Conference 2026 - earlybird price ends 20 July (FIEC)
• Burnham says Labour has final chance to change after Makerfield by-election win (BBC)
• Church of England apologises for role in forced adoptions (BBC)
• How will Starmer’s social media ban work? (The Telegraph)
• Japanese fans deliver incredible gesture after World Cup clash with Netherlands (Independent)

About In:Dependence: In:Dependence is FIEC’s official podcast, where you’ll hear conversations on topics for church leaders.

Podcast music: Drifting by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Future Infinite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

About FIEC: We are ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠a fellowship of Independent churches⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ with members of the family across England, Scotland and Wales. Our mission is to see those Independent churches working together with a big vision: to reach Britain for Christ.

00:00 - FIEC update

03:56 - Andy Burnham: MP or PM?

14:54 - Forced adoptions, abortion, and supporting pregnant mothers

19:46 - Pastoring people impacted by adoption and abortion

23:42 - Social media ban for under 16s

31:35 - Culture change from rules and laws