I found the memorial service very inspirational; with
important thoughts for us from Stott's life.
My wife Judy and I heard John Stott preach at Church of
the Resurrection in Singapore when I was a theological student there. His
sermon content was good, practical and inspirational! I read some of Stott's books; and found his
"The Cross of Christ" one of the best (top 15) Christian books I have
ever read. (It was a set text in course on salvation I did at Singapore Bible
College.) I personally find Stott's books: relevant, practical, important and
meaningful, biblical, scholarly, well thought through, most readable, often
challenging and often a "call to action or application", and his
books are beneficial for individual Christians and the Church.
SERVICE for John Stott at CATHEDRAL OF HOLY TRINITY,
AUCKLAND: About 400 people attended a two-hour service to reflect on,
celebrate, and remember the life and ministry of Rev Dr John Stott, who died in
England recently at the age of 90. The
congregation at the service at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity on Sunday
September 4 was told hymns sung, led by the cathedral choir, had been chosen by
Stott for his funeral.
The service had been organised by Langham Partnership, an
organisation involved in the development of Christian leaders.
Tony Plews, executive director of Langham Partnership New
Zealand, said in the service, "Many of you are here because you have been
indebted to John for his writings; many of you will have met John
personally."
Former principal of Laidlaw College (at the time known as
Bible College of New Zealand) Rev Dr David Stewart, knew Stott personally. He
described him as "One of the greatest evangelical leaders in the
world." He said Stott's books had
"world-wide appeal and he had wisdom, and willingness to listen to
everyone's opinions." He said Stott "produced judicious clause after
judicious clause" in the Lausanne Covenant, which he helped formulate at
the 1974 Lausanne Congress. Stewart
spoke of the "excellent books and writings of Stott in the fields of New
Testament, and Ethics."
"All of John's books had careful scholarship but
were marked by what John called balanced Christianity and had a spiritual
perspective that marked in him the spirit of Christ… His work will extend through
others all around the world. He loved and followed the Word of God and
maintained a wise balance in spiritual understanding."
It was clear from several speakers that the impact and
respect Stott's life and writings had in the evangelical Christian world -
across varied ethnic groups including "Asians, South Africans, and South
Americans, who all flocked to him and adored him", age-groups and
denominations, over the last
60-70 years.
Mentioned by several speakers was Stott talked often of
the importance of what he called "double listening" to enhance
Christians' "engagement with the world". Stott said in comments we saw on video about
him "double listening" means "We need to study and understand
the world, and the Word [Bible], and then connect the Word to the world."
Val Good, head of Student Ministries Tertiary Students
Christian Fellowship, emphasised Stott's "passion to develop a Christian
mind, of the need to work hard to develop one's mind for God and of how John
said "a biblical yet grace-filled response to issues is needed".
Ms Good said "numerous students world-wide have been
influenced by hearing Stott preach or by study of his books."
Three of Stott's books particularly influential were:
"The Cross of Christ", "Basic Christianity" and "Issues
Facing Christians Today" said former Anglican Bishop of Nelson, The Right
Rev Derek Eaton.
Eaton said, "John will not only be remembered for
all his intellect, preaching, and books, but lives touched and helped, and his
vision, mission and legacy continues.” … “His exposition of biblical text, and
the need to be loyal to Scripture and also to be relevant to the world in which
we live, was important to him.
Essential for John was that we listen to what the Holy
Spirit is saying through the Bible text and to the voice and needs of the
world." He spoke of Stott's
humility and said, "Growth means very little without us having growth in
integrity and Christlikeness... Stott said we need balanced, biblical
Christianity, to defend the faith in a gracious manner, and to be authentic
followers of Christ."
Former principal of Carey Baptist College in Auckland,
Rev Paul Windsor, of Langham Partnership International, gave the sermon. Mr Windsor said that Stott "stood in the
counsel of God, he listened to the Bible and then spoke it faithfully. He poured over the Bible, studied it. Stott's
life was a life of submission to the Word of God. The Church grows through the
Word of God, and good biblical preaching.
Stott exposed false teaching, he did not ignore it but
dealt with it; his books "The Essentials" deals with the dialogue
between liberals and evangelicals. We need to be gracious yet stubborn with the
truth."
Rev Windsor said Stott was "Christlike. We should
follow the example of Stott in his holiness, witness, faithfulness, humility,
integrity, being full of care for people, and being careful with the biblical
text. His supreme concern was Christ and Christ's message." Windsor spoke of the need for good exposition
of the Bible, and said New Zealand needs more good Bible conferences, we need
to confront false teaching graciously but firmly, we need more evangelistic
missions and we need more home-grown biblical scholars."
Prayers were given by three Christian leaders, and the
commendation was by the Bishop of Auckland, The Right Rev Ross Bay.
Michael Hamilton from Challenge Weekly