29 November 1996
Spreading the Word
In an attempt to enrol new members and to organise a local 'chapter' of the Tyndale Society in his home country I have had the following experience.
Armed by Priscilla with the addresses of members in the N. Wilts, W. Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire area (about 20), plus the addresses of all the theological colleges and deaneries in the Gloucester diocese, I started to write, duplicate and post material, including the printed brochure.
The initial response has proved slow. Three weeks after all this activity only three members have replied.
Almost at the same time, press releases were also posted off to five local newspaper editors, and things began to liven up. Several 'phone calls from Debbie Stephens of the Gloucestershire Echo, and a visit from a nice young photographer, resulted in a half page article and an indifferent portrait of 'yours truly' in that local daily. This was followed by my open letter being printed in the Stroud News and Journal, and shortly after this, in the Gloucester Citizen, where the reporter made a well constructed article, extending my copy with a note from the Revd. Canon Neil Heavisides, the precentor of Gloucester Cathedral. Canon Heavisides had agreed several weeks before to conduct a special evensong on the 6th October 1997 (the William Tyndale 502nd anniversary), in the Cathedral.
On the day the Citizen article appeared (29th Nov.) I was also interviewed 'live' by Radio Gloucester's Steve Knibbs!
I am now sitting back waiting for results!
I do encourage members of the society in other parts of the U.K. to 'go public' too. We must not let a potential flood of new 'Tyndalians' from the U.S.A. shame us back here in Tyndale's home country!
David Green,
22 Foss Field,
Winstone,
Tel: 01285 821651 Gloucestershire GL7 7JY
Readers of The Tyndale Society Journal may be interested to learn that the current issue of Reformed Theological Journal (vol. 12, November 1996) contains the following two articles:
• C Knox Hyndman, 'William Tyndale and the English Bible', pp. 17-24
• Frederick S Leahy, 'Erasmus, Luther and Reformation', pp. 81-88.
I should add that the article on Tyndale is quite popular and should not teach members of The Tyndale Society anything new, but it is a neat summary.
The Journal is obtainable from Reformed Theological Journal, 98 Lisburn Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland BT9 6AG, for £4.65 inclusive of postage.
Yours sincerely,
V Perry