Bridging Faith and Education: A Historic Gathering of Church and School Leaders

Anglicare recently held a special "History in the Making" lunch for senior church ministers and school principals. Historian and author Dr John Dickson spoke of the lessons we might learn from the early church who became known in Roman society for their generosity and care for the poor.

Tertullian, a highly educated Roman citizen and lawyer from Carthage in North Africa, converted to Christianity near the end of the 2nd century because he was so impressed by the behaviour and faith shown by Christian martyrs. According to Tertullian, many outsiders looked at the Christians and saw them energetically feeding poor people and burying them, caring for boys and girls who lacked parents and property, and being attentive to prisoners and to elderly slaves. They interpreted these actions as a "work of love".

It was Spanish philosopher George Santayana who was attributed with saying, "Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeating it." 

It is true that we need to learn from the mistakes of history so that we do not repeat them, but it is also true that we do well to heed the positives of our past as we seek to shape the future. 

Simon Miller shared a little of Anglicare's vision to work alongside churches and schools to see real transformation in our community. To inspire the next generation to make a difference in the lives of those who find themselves in the margins of our society, so often vulnerable and easily forgotten. For the life-giving truth of Christianity to be visible, to be embodied and enacted by its members. A Christian love for each other that is so distinctive and attractive, that it spills over into a great love for the poor and marginalized in the community. The outworking of the apostle John's words in 1 John 4:19, "We love because he first loved us." 

Rev. Roger Green

Senior Manager 

Mission and Partnerships