The attention we're getting reveals as much about the watchers as the watched Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it. The United Church would do well to keep that wise old warning in mind the next time it wishes the media would take an interest in church news. We've been getting a crash course in Media Relations 101 since that October day the new moderator, Rt. Rev. Bill Phipps, sat down for a discussion with the Ottawa Citizen editorial board. This church and its belief system have been the subject of thoughtful theological discussion, wildly biased commentary, clever but cutting jokes, and much good, honest reporting.
Most institutional churches have a love-hate relationship with the media.
Being recognized in the secular media seems to make us feel mainline again. This denomination, at least, tends to look back with longing at the good old days when our leaders could tear a strip off the government over some righteous cause and get big righteous headlines. That doesn't happen much anymore. So with each new moderator, we wonder if this leader will put us back on the public radar screen. Sometimes it happens.