When Debt Saviours screened on 5 October many of us looked forward to seeing the great work done by Christians Against Poverty being shared with a wider public.
Maybe the desperate needs of the most vulnerable clients would prompt a call for more help and maybe some of the systemic failures of the finance world would be addressed. There was also just a slight feeling of apprehension given the secular outlook of the BBC.
Phillip Wood the director of Debt Saviours spent 16 weeks tracking John Kirkby the Founder of CAP. Every aspect of Cap’s work was covered and many hours were spent following John around his daily activities. The visit of Martin Lewis Money Saving Expert, who openly supports the work that CAP does was filmed and the staff team and many of the volunteers were met. Debt coaches were accompanied and a Discovery break attended.
Inevitable agenda?
As I watched the programme it quickly became clear where we were heading.
And the final question said it all. (In effect) Why cant you just offer a debt service and not promote any of this religious stuff? The coverage was limited to 4 very vulnerable and needy clients (who received great service), extensive coverage of John Kirkby worshipping in less than flattering poses. Key personal questions were asked when John was driving and distracted. Debt coach Gareth, himself a victim of childhood sexual abuse and rejected by society until helped by CAP and becoming a Christian, showed such grace and humility in the face of probing questions. A whole series of cuts and clips conveyed the message that the organisation was only interested in peddling Christianity to the most needy and vulnerable in the guise of debt counseling.
I have volunteered with CAP for 6 years and with our church CAP Team have run over 24 money courses. We ask permission to pray at the end of each session. We have had many expressions of appreciation that we care enough to ask for God’s help for them. I have attended CAP Conferences and Training Courses and have never known John Kirkby either lost for words or take the glory to himself for the great work God has done through a man who having experienced his own devastation from debt felt the call to help others in similar need. This program was an unfair, inadequate and biased representation of the Organisation. I have submitted my complaint to the BBC on that basis.
Responses
Since then I have seen the press releases from CAP, listened to Adrian Chiles interview with both Phillip Wood and John Kirkby on Radio 5 Live and viewed some of the many online and media responses. CAP have worked very hard to be both measured and wise in their response. The blog by Gemma Pask especially weaves truth and reality into the distorted picture presented by Phillip Wood. But never makes a complaint or criticism. Adrian Chiles expressed the view that the aim of the programme was focused on criticizing the religious motivation and he encouraged John to react at the way he and the organization were portrayed. To his credit John declined to respond and acknowledged the difficult job of editing so many hours of footage (a potential 700 hours at least). He was chided by Adrian for ‘being all Christian about it’ !
Anoosh Chakelian in the New Statesman online suggested that for the ‘Debt Saviours audience the success stories are moving but the methods can make you feel queasy’. Referring to ‘the backlash against the dodgy ethics of evangelical debt advice' she suggests it masks a greater problem that no-one else is in that space doing what they do. A very good point.
Lessons learned
On the CAP website PR manager Marianne Clough lists 4 things they have learned from the experience.
1. They are what they say on the tin, but not everyone likes what is in the tin
2. It wasn’t a perfect representation of CAP but still worth doing.
3. They experienced great love and support from partner organisations one finance industry contact describing them as a ‘National Treasure’
4. The phone lines went crazy and on the following Monday they had the highest on record bookings for a first home visit. – the need out there is overwhelming.
Many of CAP’s partners have made clear that they are unlikely to change a view of the organization based on seeing change for good in the lives of over 23,000 people helped in 2017 after observing a typical 'Beeb job' on the box. The liberal minority are as ever covering themselves in angst at the way in which the most desperate and needy people in our society are being helped instead of being thrilled that they are being helped at all.
Was it a wise decision to let the BBC film a 100% Christian organisation? They had nothing to hide and hid nothing. They have discovered supporters and sincere friends. They have been inundated with people needing their help. At all times they have conducted themselves as befits Christians seeking to be salt and light in a dark world. We are not among friends in this world. But as Joseph rightly explained to his brothers who sold him into slavery (Genesis 50.20) ‘you intended to harm me but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.’
As we pray for the good outcomes from this event, I am convinced that we will continue to see God at work through CAP. It is still right to call to account those who are expected to offer fair and balanced broadcasting. I await with interest the response from the BBC*.
