30 APRIL 2026
Politics (part 1): Faith, culture and the public square
Mark Pugh is joined by Peter Lynas, UK director of the Evangelical Alliance, to explore how leaders navigate today’s polarised political and cultural moment.
We are living through one of the most politically charged moments in generations, and church leaders are feeling it in real time. Congregations are being pulled in different directions by algorithms, anxiety and outrage, often with Christians sharing the same stories but hearing completely different messages.
In this episode of the Elim Leaders Podcast, Mark Pugh is joined by Peter Lynas, UK Director of the Evangelical Alliance, to help leaders make sense of what is happening and how to respond with clarity, conviction and pastoral wisdom.
Peter frames today’s turmoil around three overlapping crises that are shaping public life: a meaning crisis, a relational crisis, and a truth crisis. In the middle of that, he argues, the Church is better positioned than it realises, not just to comment on events, but to offer a deeper, hopeful, Jesus-centred account of identity, belonging and truth.
A key insight is Peter’s “Daniel model” for cultural engagement. Daniel learned the language and culture of Babylon, served with excellence, and then brought holy insight to interpret the “nightmares” of his age. The challenge for leaders is to go beneath the headlines, name what is really happening in people’s hearts, and respond with a supernatural hope that does not collapse into either fear or reaction.
The conversation also tackles the pressure leaders feel when controversial stories land in the church. Peter offers practical wisdom on navigating social media, including the importance of trustworthy sources, perspective, and speaking in ways that strengthen unity rather than inflame division.
This is part one of a two-part conversation. Part two continues the discussion with Alicia Edmund, head of public policy at the Evangelical Alliance.
Available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms.
Listen to Episode 9 and subscribe at elim.org.uk/elimleaderspodcast.