Why should churches and pastors be concerned about public relations? In this episode, Phil Cooke interviews Johnnie Moore, founder and CEO of The KAIROS Company, and explores why pastors should consider retaining public relations consultants, the biggest mistake churches make in managing a crisis, how to handle controversy and what to do when cancel culture comes to your church. https://philcooke.com   Please like, rate and share this episode!   Follow Johnnie Moore: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnnieOnline Twitter: https://twitter.com/JohnnieM The Kairos Company https://Thekcompany.co   “What To Do When Cancel Culture Comes to Your Church” – read the blog here:  https://www.philcooke.com/what-to-do-when-cancel-culture-comes-to-your-church/   Check out the chapter on public relations and crisis management in my new book: Maximize Your Influence – How to Make Digital Media Work for Your Church, Your Ministry, and You https://influencematters.com   Subscribe to My Podcast for more good advice for leaders and creatives: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/phil-cooke-podcast/id1439369056 Prefer video? Subscribe to My YouTube Channel and Get More Great Advice https://www.youtube.com/c/philcookeofficial?sub_confirmation=1 New episodes are uploaded every other Wednesday. Make sure to Subscribe and hit the Notification bell to be notified when they go live.   *Helping leaders navigate their calling and career in today’s distracted media-driven culture* Do you have a message or story the world needs to hear? As a Hollywood producer and media consultant, I offer advice for leaders and creatives each week on creative leadership, digital media, branding and marketing strategies, film and TV production – and the faith to take you from where you are to where you want to be in your career. Sign up for my blog and get a free eBook https://www.philcooke.com   Follow me: Twitter https://twitter.com/philcooke Facebook https://www.facebook.com/philcookepage/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/philcooke/ Podcast https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/philcookes-podcast/id1439369056  Find out about Cooke Media Group here: https://www.cookemediagroup.com   *More About This Episode* Interview with Johnnie Moore: Public Relations and Crisis Management for Churches and Pastors I’ve always believed that it’s not “if” a crisis will happen, it’s “when” a crisis will happen, and it’s always good to be prepared and ahead of the challenge. As Johnnie said, “Any ministry or church of any reasonable size and influence ought to have communications professionals retained in the same way you hire lawyers, accountants and other professionals.”   Quick takeaways from today’s interview: Most legal and accounting problems come from handling communications badly… or not communicating well. Influence is a gift that God gives to certain leaders, certain institutions. God forgive that you’re arrogant or prideful… you have to manage it. When people know what you’re doing, it becomes contagious. There is a righteous task in telling your story. We should become better storytellers outside of a sermon. Even in a small church, a rural community – a pastor is influential. The most valuable commodity in the world is not oil or gas, it’s trust. When you lose trust, you lose a cherished asset. Everything is controversial to some point… Have a realistic expectation that you’re not going to be popular all the time. If you’re a servant of Jesus, you can’t be a slave to other people’s opinions. You don’t have to have an opinion on everything. As a Christian, you don’t have permission to not love anyone. Concerning cancel culture: You can’t change what you believe. You can’t change who you are. Just dust the sand off your feet and move on.   Johnnie Moore is founder and CEO of The KAIROS Company and President of The Congress of Christian Leaders. He is best known for his work at the intersection of faith and foreign policy and is a Presidential appointee as a Commissioner