Tony Cummings spoke to YFC musicianary and worship leader ANDY FLANNAGAN.

AF: Yep. Very much so. What they achieved re mainstream media coverage in their short life (eg, Big Breakfast, ITV, newspapers) was excellent. I think they were good ambassadors in those contexts. As with all things "pop" however, it seemed that it had run its natural course, so we felt it was better to let things go and let the guys pursue some other dreams that they had rather than be a Christian band just for the sake of it.

TC: You travel all over the UK so you must have a fairly good take on what is going on in the churches at grassroots level. Are you optimistic or pessimistic about the future and why?

AF: Definitely optimistic. I do believe that the "dry branches" are being cut away to leave room for new growth. That probably looks painful if you're in the vicinity, but the big picture looks prettier! I think everyone knows that the stakes have risen since 9/11. It feels as if people know that it is time to stand up and be counted, even if that leads to some persecution. To some extent I'm thinking "bring it on", as it will force us to God.

TC: Are you planning to do a follow up to Advertising The Invisible?

AF: Yes indeed. I can't wait to get going on it, as God has massively been using the new songs at gigs. He seems to be calling people very specifically through a couple of the songs especially. Some to overseas work, some to forgotten relationships, some to other local hard places. A good part of the inspiration has come from my visit to Bangladesh with Tear Fund. The perspective you get on the Western world by being away from it for even a little while certainly opens your eyes to what is important in life, and what really isn't.

TC: What's you vision for the future?

AF: I'm passionate about seeding songs and thoughts into the political sphere. My perfect job would be "song laureate" a la "poet laureate". I've had some opportunities in the last couple of years to sing to MPs, and some listen to the CD in their London flats, but I'd love to have even more chances to just bless them and minister to them.