Pottering and Prayer
As John Stott turns 80, he still finds weeds to pull, birds to watch, and petitions to make
John W. Yates III | posted 4/02/2001 12:00AM
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By the end of the cycle, the volunteer was soaked, while Stott whisked off his plastic apron, as dry as the moment he started.
Chirping at sunrise
Perhaps the greatest passion in Stott's life outside of the Bible is his enthusiasm for birds. On a recent visit to Thailand, he began three busy weeks of teaching and preaching by getting up at 3:10 a.m. the first day to drive two-and-a-half hours to a game reserve. He wanted to greet the early-morning birds at the rising sun.
During the remainder of this trip, on half-a-dozen separate occasions, he organized special outings to tramp around in the marvel of nature with binoculars in hand and eyes turned upward. Some may be tempted to see this kind of devotion as fanaticism; others, who know the man, see it for what it is: praise.
Laughter, mischief, simple labor, and a love for the natural world all form the balance of Stott's disciplined life. The fish pond is right outside the study window, the dirty dishes are just a few rooms away, and the birds are everywhere.
There is no special secret to Stott's success, or one characteristic that makes the man. Rather, those who have the chance to enter into his life, to watch and to listen, come to know a man of gentle humility, regular prayer, and—for someone so diligent at work—a surprisingly balanced life.
John W. Yates III is coauthor, with his brother, Chris, of The Incredible Four-Year Adventure: Finding Real Faith, Fun, and Friendship at College (Baker).
Stott's Emerging Legacy
Though most famous for his writing and preaching, John Stott's greatest long-term influence may come through one of his lesser-known projects: the U.S.-based John Stott Ministries (www.gospelcom.net/stott/), part of the Langham Partnership.
The ministry supports men and women from all over the developing world,
helping them work toward doctoral degrees. These scholars return to their home countries and teach in local seminaries and Bible colleges.
Along with awarding scholarships, John Stott Ministries buys books for seminary libraries, seminarians, and pastors. The ministry's New Millennium Fund has raised $3 million recently, but Stott hopes to raise another $1.5 million before his 80th birthday on April 27.
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Related Elsewhere
See also today's related article, "The Quotable Stott | Reflections on the occasion of John R.W. Stott's 80th birthday."
For Stott's 75th birthday, Christianity Today published David Wells's article, "Guardian of God's Word | The amazingly balanced, wise, biblical, and global ministry of a local pastor, John Stott."
John G. Stackhouse Jr. reviewed Stott's Evangelical Truth: A Personal Plea for Unity, Integrity, and Faithfulness for Christianity Today's February 7, 2000, issue.
Books & Culture also recently published a lengthy article on Stott's importance to the evangelical movement: "Basic Christianity—with an Oxbridge Accent | John Stott and evangelical renewal.
The John Stott Ministries site offers excerpts from Stott's works, "Stott Daily Thought" and "Stott Bible Study" newsletters, a biographical sketch, and his speaking schedule.
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