« Back to Issue 53

John Stott: A portrait by his friends

Reviewed by Ursula Franklin.

The book is a most kind and loving tribute to the Revd Dr John Stott and his achievements in reviving the status of the evangelical branch of the Church of England. Despite his scholarship, status and elite education, he was loved by all kinds of people for his simple clear, concise teaching and exposition of God's Word.

On reading the first chapter, another era is recognisable, where respect and, at times, adulation was the expected attitude from those he taught. Stott survived this with humility and grace. He loved people and he gathered around him many talented friends. He was accepted by their families and was known to them as 'Uncle John'. He knew them all by name and prayed for them regularly. He found in his friends those who would lead his many valuable projects which advance God's Word and work all over the world. 

Stott was disciplined, accurate and focussed when studying, and ever conscious of using his time correctly; nothing but the best was good enough. His forethought and wisdom encouraged evangelical Christians to venture into the unknown with confidence. His work at the Lausanne Conference was disturbing, and stimulating; he believed in the renewing of people’s minds and his leadership was crucial in this aim. As Rector of All Souls, Langham Place, his teaching and pastoral care drew an eager motley crowd to learn from him. 

When he left All Souls, Stott travelled extensively and worked tirelessly all over the world, to build God's universal church. He loved to go bird watching when he had any leisure time and applied the same precise mind to recording and seeking out rare birds in their natural habitat

In his eighties, John Stott has coped with many physical limitations. He is a remarkable, godly man to whom many are indebted for bringing them to faith and spurring them on to greater depths of faith. I was fascinated by the insights given by his friends in this book.