Chappo’s preaching

“From the day that Jesus saved John, there was no-one more impressive or wonderful for John than Jesus. Did he ever get tired of telling people about Jesus in the gospels, or of stringing together the things Jesus did so you could see his greatness?”

– Another reminder that remembering John Chapman means pointing to Jesus. Simon Manchester writes in The Briefing. (Photo: St Thomas’ North Sydney.)

St. Helen’s Thanksgiving service for Chappo

The video from the Thanksgiving service for John Chapman, held at St. Helen’s Bishopsgate in London a week ago (1st March 2013), is now available on Vimeo.

Participants include William Taylor, Dick Lucas, Richard Bewes and Hugh Palmer.

Dick Lucas remembered the first time he met Chappo – and Hugh Palmer preached from Romans 1.

The video runs for 51 minutes and is most edifying.

In a little while – thanking God for Chappo

“My generation missed Chappo. I think I heard him preach once, maybe twice. By the time I went through Moore Theological College he was no longer the one giving sermon feedback. Others were the regular evangelists up at the Katoomba conventions when I attended them.

I heard a number of his jokes — even I knew of his encouragement of younger Christians with words along the lines of ‘Don’t worry, the first 40 years are the hardest’ — but I heard most of these stories from others who knew him better, or had heard him more often.”

– Coinciding with the day of a special Thanksgiving service in London, Sam Freeney explains why The Briefing (March/April 2013) will carry some special appreciations of our dear brother John Chapman.

Memorial service for Chappo at St Helen’s March 1st

If you are within striking distance of St. Helen’s Bishopsgate…

“There’s a UK based memorial service for John Chapman (Chappo) coming up soon. It’s St Helen’s Bishopsgate on Friday 1 March at 3pm and is a good opportunity for those who have been grateful to God for this man of God to acknowledge that together.”

– so writes Adrian Reynolds at the Proclamation Trust.

The Long Haul

From Mark Thompson’s blog:

‘How long should we think about staying in any one parish?’ asked an eager theolog, only months away from his own ordination. ‘Well Calvin spent all his life in Geneva’, answered Peter, ‘why don’t you give that a go?’

Read it all here: Read more

In Praise of Singing

“Music is emotional: be it happiness or sorrow it engages us emotionally (e.g. Psalm 137, James 5:13). Singing gives voice to our emotions. Congregational singing unites us in expressing our common belief by articulating how Christians feel.

A fortnight ago, at the thanksgiving for the life of John Chapman, the force and beauty of congregational singing was palpable. Maybe it was because I was standing in the middle of the congregation, between the organ and the brass, that I was overwhelmed by the sheer power of the music, but others have commented to me about the effects of the hymns. …”

– Phillip Jensen, Dean of St Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney, writes.

Chappo Memorial Service video

While the Memorial Service for John Chapman has now concluded, you can see the recorded video stream here.

Thanks to Ken Sandell and Audio Advice for making this available.

Order of Service (PDF).

Update: Russell Powell has a report at SydneyAnglicans.net.

Did no-one ask or care?

After one Sydney diocese ordination candidate met with the Archbishop’s Examining Chaplains, John Chapman asked him, “Brother, did they ask you if you put your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ? Did they ask you if you are a Christian?”

This video, from the UK’s Channel 4 demonstrates why that is an important question to ask.

More thanks from South Africa for Chappo

Frank Retief, past Presiding Bishop of the Church of England in South Africa, gives thanks for John Chapman –

“But above all his love for Christ and the saving Gospel was always paramount. His wisdom in sharing the Gospel was a gift. We in South Africa will miss him very much.”

These words of thanks were sent to Archbishop Peter Jensen –

“Dear Peter

I am sure you have received many tributes in regard to John Chapman. I know that Des Inglesby has written to you on behalf of CESA. But I felt that I would like to add mine anyway because of the impact Chappo had on us in South Africa.

I first met him with your brother Phillip at Amsterdam in 1983. I was very naïve at that time and knew no one from Australia. I got the impression that if I hung around with them long enough I would get into trouble sooner or later. They were mischievous and insightful and to me very bold. But that connection has been one of the great blessings of my life because amongst other things they were both indeed bold for the Gospel and their humour was real, pertinent and made them both very accessible.

Chappo visited us several times. He taught our men how to preach the Gospel positively, from the text; boldly and wisely. I personally, as have others, seen him weep in the pulpit unashamed of his emotions which I thought was a great model for all preachers.

He was humble, unassuming and generous to a fault. His eccentricities only made him more loved. Our eldest granddaughter, now nine, had her very first pair of baby bootees knitted for her by Chappo. He was a remarkable conversationalist and enjoyed human company. But above all his love for Christ and the saving Gospel was always paramount. His wisdom in sharing the Gospel was a gift. We in South Africa will miss him very much.

I don’t know what you will do with this letter. I simply wanted to express to someone how much he was appreciated from my personal point of view.

Warm Christian greetings

Frank.”

CESA gives thanks for Chappo

Thanks from CESA –

“He was a true brother and friend in Christ, yet at the same time a ‘father-like’ figure”

From Desmond Inglesby, Presiding Bishop of the Church of England in South Africa.

“The Church of England in South Africa pays tribute to John Chapman, affectionately known to us as “Chappo”. We considered him as a ‘great one’ and we are indebted to him for his numerous visits to South Africa.

He was a remarkable man with unique ministry gifts. As a Christian leader, a committed Bible teacher and a passionate evangelist, his ministry influenced us in many different ways. His books are very popular and widely used in our churches.

He was a true brother and friend in Christ, yet at the same time a ‘father-like’ figure, who faithfully taught us God’s word and inspired us to know, and to make Jesus Christ known. We give thanks to God for his life, influence and service to our denomination.

We echo the words of King David “a prince and a great man has fallen in Israel this day”. (2 Samuel 3:38 NIV84)”

Thanksgiving Service for Chappo set for next Saturday (updated)

News from Dr Philip Selden, Diocesan Registrar –

“There will be a public Thanksgiving Service for the life of John Chapman, who died on Friday 16th November.

The service, to be led by the Archbishop, will be held at 2:30pm on Saturday November 24th at St Andrew’s Cathedral. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.”

Update from the Cathedral:
“Dean Phillip Jensen will preach. There will be a collection at the service for the John Chapman Foundation, which raises money to recruit and train evangelists. Please give generously.”

Update from Russell Powell:
Video of the memorial service will be streamed live from 2:15pm on Saturday, thanks to Audio Advice.

Dick Lucas gives thanks for Chappo

Wonderful words from Dick Lucas, past Rector of St. Helen’s Bishopsgate:

“…we join with friends in Sydney in blessing the Lord, who has now taken John away to be with Christ in glory, for giving him to us for so long, and for such grand purposes of grace.”

–
”Many at this time will wish to pay tribute to John Chapman, alias the unique and unforgettable ‘Chappo’. Allow me, as one such, to write very personally of a dear friend, a marvellously stimulating brother in Christ, a shrewd fellow worker and, of course, a superbly gifted evangelist and teacher. John knew his special calling, and, to his final days, was energetically gospelling and offering to all the possibility of a Fresh Start. This made his U.K. visits highly desired and valued.

Looking back, I recall another characteristic of Chappo – he was a great encourager of the brethren. I saw this in Australia at ministers’ meetings where John would always be present putting new heart and humour into everyone there. On one such occasion, when I was speaking, it was initially unsettling to have him lurking in the back row, making pungent and priceless comments sotto voce, causing a ripple of amusement to spread through the assembled company. With Chappo in attendance you had to be ready for anything, at any time!

As for his visits to this part of the world, when it was reported that Chapman was on the horizon, morale soared, and requests for his services poured in – this man was a tonic to have around. When in London Chappo often stayed with me. The day would begin with my calling him for breakfast, and delighting in the sound of his tread on the stairs, as he descended from his room on the top floor, humming, whistling, or otherwise making his happy noises, finally arriving, larger than life, full of cheerful talk, ready for the fray.

We commonly say of a person of note that we shall not see their like again. In John Chapman’s case I see this to be no less than the simple truth. As for his many friends in Britain, we join with friends in Sydney in blessing the Lord, who has now taken John away to be with Christ in glory, for giving him to us for so long, and for such grand purposes of grace.”

– Dick Lucas writes at the Proclamation Trust.

The Passing of Giants

On Friday evening, John Chapman (‘Chappo’), a much loved son of the diocese, died at the age of 82. He is best known as the Director of Evangelism in the Diocese of Sydney (1969–93) and as an exceptional preacher and teacher whose influence has spread across the world. The evangelistic passion which today characterises the Diocese of Sydney owes much under God to Chappo and his ministry. He stirred generations to evangelise through expositions of the Bible. Right to the end he challenged us to keep Jesus Christ, the forgiveness of sins and the promise of life with God forever at the centre of our message and our life together. Chappo was also Emeritus Vice-president of the ACL and his memory will encourage us to remain vocal and stand firm in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Swiftly following on news of the death of John Chapman comes news of the death of another significant contributor to the cause of Christ in Sydney and the world. Stuart Barton Babbage, at various times Dean of Sydney (1947–53), Dean of Melbourne (1953–1962), Principal of Ridley College Melbourne (1953–63), Master of New College at the University of New South Wales (1973–83), and Registrar of the Australian College of Theology (1977–92). Dr Babbage made a distinctive contribution to the life of the Australian church with a breadth of perspective and depth of intellect which few could match. In 1995 he was became a Member of the Order of Australia.

These men were very different in temperament, style and ministry concerns. Yet both were mightily used by God to build his church and encourage his people. The ACL thanks God for all that he did through them and prays that those who were closest to them and who feel most keenly their loss might know the comfort of the gospel and the hope of the resurrection.

Gav Poole
President
Anglican Church League

(Photos: Chappo, via Mary Andrews College; Dr Barton Babbage, New College UNSW.)

Chappo talks about his conversion

John Chapman speaks about how he came to Christ – in this 3 minute video recorded a couple of years ago for St Mark’s Pennant Hills. Thanks to Craig Schafer for making it available.

More thanksgiving for Chappo

From Dave McDonald in Canberra –

“At 9.15 this evening Chappo departed to be with his Lord and Saviour. This was the occasion he’d been looking forward to since he was a teenager. This was the hope that Chappo had shared with all who’d listen. Chappo loved explaining to people that Jesus had given his life to pay for their sins and offer forgiveness. He’d share how God had raised Jesus from the dead, and how he was now the Lord of this universe. He’d passionately plead with people to consider how they’d been treating God, to turn and seek forgiveness, and to hand over control of their lives to Jesus.”

– A heartfelt gospel-centred thanksgiving from Dave McDonald at Macarisms.

Other tributes:

• Gordon Cheng (with links).

• Evangelist John Chapman is home at last – Eternity Newspaper.

• David Ould.

• In memory of John Chapman – St Helen’s, London (with a link to audio).

• Nathan Campbell.

• St Helen’s Bishopsgate.

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