Subject: George Moody is the head of the Department of Religious Studies and Philosophy at a senior independent school. He also coaches athletics. He has recently been ordained into the Church of England ministry. George is married with four children, one of whom has Downs Syndrome. He lives in Abingdon in Oxfordshire.
Age range: 40–50.
Interests: Playing the guitar and cycling – presumably not at the same time.
RJL: When and how did you become a Christian?
George: I was brought up in a Christian family. One year at a Scripture Union holiday camp I responded to Revelation 3.20: ‘Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.’
RJL: Why did you become a teacher?
George: My father was a teacher and I was determined not to be! After university I worked for the Scripture Union for two years going around schools. I found that I loved teaching – particularly the interaction with the students. I have always taught Religious Studies. I also teach Philosophy. At A level, Religious Studies is largely philosophy and ethics. This morning I was discussing genetic engineering with my class.
RJL: Do you work with any other Christians?
George: There are quite a few in the school and many other colleagues are sympathetic. A number of us meet to pray once every two weeks and have been able to arrange a day away together.
RJL: Does your job give you any opportunities to witness? I see that Alister McGrath came to the school to give a lecture.
George: The strict answer is ‘No’. My job is to teach and I have to teach views I don’t agree with. I have no right to witness but I can say, ‘What I think is….’. I allow doors to open; clear away the mess of misunderstandings and get the students to think. I am not part of the school’s chaplaincy team – they organised Dr McGrath’s visit.
RJL: What is hard about being a Christian teacher where you work?
George: Following the Lord Jesus Christ is always hard, but easier than not following him. There is nothing in my work situation that is unusually difficult. Being both a teacher and a clergyman stretches me in many directions. Tension makes a good sound but you mustn’t over-tighten the strings.
RJL: How do you deal with the tensions?
George: I take breaks and I have learnt not to over-think things.
RJL: Is there any conflict between your work, home and church?
George: Again it is a question of getting the tension right and also having your priorities in the right order – God, family, job. The school has been very supportive of my family and me.
RJL: How does being a curate fit into your busy life?
George: Just like teaching it involves communication. When I was at Cambridge I was in a small group with Vaughan Roberts. God called three of us including Vaughan into the ministry but deferred me. At the time God specifically activated his call to me the school was teaching on Saturday mornings. This would have made training for the ministry very difficult, but they stopped this shortly afterwards. I didn’t have to do the academic training, but getting experience of taking weddings and funerals can be difficult, as they don’t always come along when I am available.
RJL: Are there any dangers that you will be ‘infected’ by attitudes and thinking which is not Christian?
George: The world’s values turn people into ‘things’ – objects. Teaching can become about results, which can lead to pride in what has been achieved. The annual reports on schools emphasise results and parents can feel they are under pressure to send their children to high-achieving schools.
RJL: Do you see having a disabled son as a bonus or a disadvantage?
George: It is a challenge. It can be tough but he is a wonder! He lights up the room. He needs constant supervision and so finding babysitters can be difficult and the situation can be very isolating.
RJL: I see that your school will be looking for a new head teacher – do you have any ambitions in that direction?
George: No. God has ambitions for me.
Quick Fire Questions:
• Townend or Redmond? / Both: anything modern.
• Autumn or Spring? / Autumn
• Tolkien or Lewis? / Lewis
• Country or seaside? / Seaside
• Large church or small church? / Don’t care as long as Jesus is there.
• Ketchup or brown sauce? / Ketchup
• Football or rugby? / Rugby
• Radio 4 or Radio 5? / Radio 4
• en-online or en in print? / Print
Roger Loosley asks these questions from the pleasurable position of being a retired lawyer.
