By-Election, Royal Arrest, and Church Toilets //In the News

How do we deal with polarising views in church? What can we learn from the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor? What does a toilet say about a church?In this episode of In:Dependence, Phil Topham (FIEC Executive Director), John Stevens (FIEC National Director), and Adrian Reynolds (FIEC Associate National Director) discuss news stories from the past weeks and what we can learn from them for church leadership.Show notesThrive 2026Ministry Wives Retreat 2026Rising LightsUkraine marks four years since Russia's full invasion as Moscow says its 'goals' not yet achieved (bbc.co.uk)New Green MP says 'we can win anywhere' as Starmer vows to 'keep fighting' after by-election loss (bbc.co.uk)Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrest: how the ‘most shocking’ day unfolded (theguardian.com)BBC sorry for airing racial slur shouted by guest with Tourette's at Baftas (bbc.co.uk)'This is a Muslim area': Moment Met Police officer confronted in Whitechapel as she defends free speech of Christian preacher (standard.co.uk)The Street Preacher’s Charter (christian.org.uk)The world’s largest warship is heading to Iran – with broken toilets (telegraph.co.uk)Podcast music: Drifting by Future Infinite.About In:Dependence: In:Dependence is FIEC’s official podcast, where you’ll hear conversations on topics for church leaders.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 - Planters, women's retreats, and Rising Lights05:12 - Four years of the Russia-Ukraine war08:03 - By-Election and polarising views16:31 - The arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor24:32 - BAFTAs, Whitechapel preacher, and free speech30:11 - Aircraft carriers and toilets