‘Dick Lucas’ mind was blown apart’ – with Andrew Atherstone

Posted on August 19, 2026 
Filed under History, People

From The Pastor’s Heart –

“1986. London’s Westminster Central Hall. The then young Australian preacher Phillip Jensen takes the platform at the Evangelical Ministry Assembly, and detonated UK Anglican Evangelicalism

Dick Lucas, the elder statesman of UK Evangelicalism Rector of St Helen’s Bishopsgate, said his mind was “blown apart by these bold Australian exhortations.”

Chris Green says a room full of ministers in training were “revolutionised overnight.”

It’s the third in our occasional series of specials on evangelical oral history.

We are with Dr Andrew Atherstone (Wycliffe Hall Oxford) and this time we trace how a Sydney rector’s insistence on Bible teaching and the local congregation, over and above inherited Anglican structure made such an impact on the UK evangelical scene.

Jensen’s 1986 and 1988 addresses didn’t just inspire, but they gave a generation of English ministers permission to think differently about bishops, boundaries and where real spiritual authority lives.”

– Watch it at The Pastor’s Heart. And yes, Phillip Jensen’s talk did create quite a stir! Much to be thankful for.

The Pastor’s Heart page has links to Phillip’s talks at the EMA in 1986 and later.

In addition, you can hear all the talks given (by Phillip Jensen, J I Packer and Dick Lucas) at that 1986 Evangelical Ministry Assembly at The Proclamation Trust website.