TWO weeks ago, Angela Tilby suggested a new focus of mission: "Here's an idea. Credit unions make a real difference to those who are on the edge of survival. . . If . . . the Church facilitated a network of credit unions, it could put the loan sharks out of business" (Comment, 19 July). The Archbishop of Canterbury's attack on Wonga six days later was not made, of course, in response to her suggestion. It dated from an interview he had given at the start of last month, which, in turn, stemmed from his experience of credit unions in his former diocese of Durham. Such a coincidence, however, is the sort of thing that happens when an idea's time has come.

The reaction in the press (Andrew Brown, Press) might be put down to the honeymoon period that Archbishop Welby is still enjoying. But it appears to be more than this: an instant recognition that this was fitting work for the Church to be doing. It did not hurt that this is the message that Pope Francis has been promoting since his election; nor that Archbishop Welby had expressed himself so well. Church commentary on society's ills can all too often sound like a monotonous lament. By contrast, the Archbishop made a direct challenge to a named competitor, good-natured but with a frisson borrowed from price-comparison advertising. And his remarks were grounded in practical action or, at least, seemed to be. It was this that enabled him to ride out the embarrassment of discovering that church funds had gone into setting Wonga up, albeit indirectly.

The only people discomfited were the church officials who were asked to come up with all the facts, figures, and examples of the Church's supposed credit-union activity. What they really wanted to do was explain the nature of prophecy - that it involves speaking about something that has not yet come to pass. The key element here is the enthusiasm with which the idea has been received by church people. Relieved to get away from internal wrangles, and flattered by outside approval, many are willing to pitch into this good work. It is vital that such an opportunity to convert good will into action is not lost.

The first requirement is professionalism. Wonga will not be worried by two of the faithful in a church hall with the PCC's cashbox. To help people in a crisis takes speed and efficiency; compassion, yes, but translated into practical support, such as online money transfers and debt counselling. It is good for the Church to realise its need for partnerships with those already working in this field, many of them secular bodies. These are high-street operations, competing not only with the payday lenders, but with the banks. There is an idea that Archbishop Welby might go for.