Thoughts for the Day

Now as an elder myself and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory to be revealed, I exhort the elders among you to tend the flock of God that is in your charge, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion but willingly, as God would have you do it—not for sordid gain but eagerly. Do not lord it over those in your charge, but be examples to the flock. And when the chief shepherd appears, you will win the crown of glory that never fades away.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

On 11th March 1998 I attended the Service of Thanksgiving to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the founding of The Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge (SPCK), and as Vice Chairman of the Society was introduced to the Queen. It was a memorable occasion for this ancient society.

Three hundred years ago the 1690s was a troubled decade in Britain for various reasons, not least for the wickedness and vice prevalent in towns and cities. SPCK was one of the earliest religious societies established in 1698 to combat the problem. Started by Thomas Bray (a priest, born in Shropshire and educated at Cambridge) along with four influential laymen, the society covered a wide spectrum of political and religious thought. Its brief was to "combat the gross ignorance of the Christian religion". It worked initially by establishing free schools and libraries in the UK and its Colonies around the world, but Thomas was also to fight against slavery, and for prison reform.

By the time of his death in 1730 the society had established the first Christian bookshop in Bristol; was translating the bible into many languages including Welsh, Arabic and Tamil (it sent out a trained printer and printing press to India!); saw the building of new schools throughout England; and was giving book grants to clergy. SPCK was to go on to found hundreds of schools for the poor; to build teacher training colleges; support new churches all around the world; and help create theological colleges.

As a new Deaconess in the 1980s I was very grateful for the book grant. They were to publish all my books, and at my prompting in 1999 SPCK established the Assemblies website to provide free resources for school assemblies which still continues today. I shall always be grateful for Bray's ethos that put education at the forefront of the Christian journey, and am in no doubt that it has been this impetus that keeps me still working today.

Collect for Teachers of the Faith

Almighty God
who enlightened Your Church
by the teaching of Your servant Thomas Bray
enrich it evermore with Your heavenly grace
and raise up faithful witnesses
who, by their life and teaching,
may proclaim the truth of Your salvation,
through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord.
Amen.