The Passing of Giants

Posted on November 19, 2012 
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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.)

Remembering Stuart Barton Babbage 1916–2012 (updated)

Posted on November 19, 2012 
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Ridley College in Melbourne has posted this tribute to Dr Stuart Barton Babbage, who died on Friday.

And Professor Trevor Cairney, current Master of New College at UNSW writes –

“Rev Dr Stuart Barton Babbage AM passed away on Friday 16th November at the age of 96. I heard the news with sadness because he was a dear friend who I will miss greatly, but also with thankfulness, knowing that he is with his Lord.”

Professor Cairney also writes:

“Relatives and friends of Rev. Babbage are invited to attend the service and interment at St. Jude’s Anglican Church, 106 Avoca Street, Randwick, on Friday (November 23, 2012) at 10 a.m.”

(Photo: Ramon Williams.)

Evangelical and Catholic letter to The Times on the Women Bishops measure

Posted on November 19, 2012 
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The General Synod of the Church of England will vote on Women Bishops this week. A letter was published in The Times on Saturday –

“As active priests from both the Catholic and Evangelical groupings of the Church of England, we write to express our deep concern over the draft Women Bishops Measure. We believe that our future ministries will be severely prejudiced if the General Synod votes to approve the draft Measure…”

It was signed by The Rev. Rod Thomas, Chairman of Reform and Canon Simon Killwick, Chairman of the Catholic Group in General Synod – and 324 others. There are many familiar names in the list. John Richardson has the full text, the list of signatories, and some comments.

Related: General Synod: women bishop vote in balance (EV News from Church Society, 19 November 2012.)

(Photo: Church of England website.)

Chappo talks about his conversion

Posted on November 18, 2012 
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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.

South Carolina — time to turn the page

Posted on November 18, 2012 
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The Special Convention of the Diocese of South Carolina has just concluded. Bishop Mark Lawrence summed it up:

“We have spent far too many hours and days and years in a dubious and fruitless resistance to the relentless path of TEC.”

John Chapman — a personal reflection from Mark Thompson

Posted on November 17, 2012 
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Dr Mark Thompson, immediate past President of the Anglican Church League, shares his thoughts about John Chapman –

“We have lost one of the most effective gospel preachers of the last century. God used his preaching to change lives forever.”

Read it here –    Read more

More thanksgiving for Chappo

Posted on November 17, 2012 
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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.

Are you ready for the New Creation?

Posted on November 16, 2012 
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The Australian Church Record has tonight republished a wonderful article by John Chapman, who died this evening in Sydney.

“We should contemplate the New Creation where we will be ‘Like Jesus’. What a joy that will be. I will be perfectly in God’s image. That’s a thing to be longed for. ‘The glory which will be revealed’ will so dwarf our life here that it will take on the significance of our first day at kindergarten.”

– Read it all at the Church Record website. (Also at The Briefing.) Photo: Matthias Media.

 

With thanks for John Chapman 1930–2012

Posted on November 16, 2012 
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Beloved Australian evangelist John Chapman has fallen asleep in Christ at the age of 82.

And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labours, for their deeds follow them!” – Revelation 14:13.

Russell Powell writes at SydneyAnglicans.net –

Sydney’s leading evangelist for more than 50 years, John Chapman, has passed away in hospital at the age of 82.

‘Chappo’, as he was affectionately known, was converted in his teens and became involved in the Anglican Youth Department and later the Department of Evangelism, where he was director for more than 25 years.

His wide preaching, teaching and writing ministry saw him speaking to groups throughout the Sydney diocese, in Australia and overseas, particularly in England where he was a regular visitor.

In later years he passed on his wisdom on evangelism and preaching to generations of ministry trainees and colleges students. He was also prominent in evangelism in universities, particularly during the 1970’s and 80’s.

His books “A Fresh Start”, “Know and Tell the Gospel” sold in the tens of thousands and helped many Sydney Anglicans with personal evangelism and sharing the gospel.

Mr Chapman never married but was at home in many churches across the diocese.  The single quarters at Moore Theological College was named “John Chapman House” in his honour.

Although he had been ill for some time, Chappo received a stream of visitors from around the world during his retirement in Sydney’s south.

In recent weeks, one of his last duties was a project close to his heart, the newly created John Chapman Foundation, established in October to raise money to recruit and train evangelists.

He was admitted to St George Hospital in late October and had been on the critical list for a week.

On Friday 16th November, several close friends visited to read the bible, pray and say their last farewells to a man who was one of the most loved preachers in the Sydney Diocese in second half of the 20th century.

He finally succumbed to multiple organ failure on Friday night.

Archbishop Peter Jensen immediately paid tribute to his longtime friend and colleague.

“Chappo represented the very essence of what our diocese has always stood for and continues to stand for. A strong affirmation of the authority of the Bible, the importance of preaching and an approach to evangelism which made it central while at the same time respecting the intelligence and integrity of the listeners. He was a man of faith like Joshua of old, and he lived out his faith with clear godliness of life”, Dr Jensen said.

“Like many others, Christine and I feel the loss acutely. When I visited him on his last day, he reminded me once more that he prayed for us daily. His support for me personally for over 40 years has been an incalculable blessing.” he said.

Photo from an interview recorded just a few months ago by AFES.

Other tributes will be posted on our home page.

Update: Thanksgiving service details.

Confusion or clarity in South Carolina?

Posted on November 16, 2012 
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From a ‘pastoral letter’ to South Carolina from TEC Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori:

“Katharine, a servant of Christ, to the saints in South Carolina.

May the grace, mercy, and peace of Christ Jesus our Savior be with you all. …

As the confusion increases, I would like to clarify a number of issues which I understand are being discussed…”

A S Haley, The Anglican Curmudgeon, offers some commentary on the Presiding Bishop’s letter:

“mimicking the style of one of St. Paul’s epistles… This is boilerplate for 815… The mantra about dioceses needing the ‘consent’ of General Convention to disaffiliate is based on no language in the Church’s Constitution or Canons whatsoever.”

And in his own ‘Message to the the People of South Carolina‘, Bishop Mark Lawrence writes:

“As I have stated at various deanery and parish forums in the diocese this present crisis was brought about through the convergence of three dimensions of our diocesan life and the national church’s leadership—theology, morality and polity. All three have undergone and continue to undergo revision within The Episcopal Church (TEC). This Diocese of South Carolina for well over a quarter of a century has steadfastly resisted these revisions as it has sought to remain faithful to the doctrine, discipline and worship of Christ as this Church has received them.

…you need to know that the national leadership of TEC is taking steps to undermine this diocese. What we are faced with is an intentional effort by the ill-advised TEC organization to assume our identity, one that we have had since 1785. …

My reason in mentioning this last point, just days before our Convention, is to protect our parishioners and parishes from deception and confusion.”

 

ACL President encourages members to pray for the Archbishop of Canterbury

Posted on November 14, 2012 
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Statement from ACL President Gav Poole:

The ACL congratulates Bishop Justin Welby on his appointment as Archbishop of Canterbury designate.

This is an honoured office which played a key role in the protestant reformation.

Bishop Welby has his work cut out for him. The credibility of the Archbishop’s office has been eroded in recent times due to a failure to properly deal with the liberal revisionist agenda which has beset the Anglican Communion in the West. He serves a communion which is in serious impairment.

It remains to be seen whether the Archbishop will demonstrate clarity and bravery on many of the issues that have plagued the communion. We will be looking for leadership that is faithful to Jesus and solidly Biblical.

There are many faithful Anglican Bishops, clergy and congregations in North America who have suffered at the hands of the provincial leadership. We pray as the Archbishop must reach out to them and ensure they receive adequate oversight.

The FCA Primates have called for the chairman of the Anglican Primates’ meeting to be elected by the Primates. We pray that the Archbishop will encourage that development.

Rev Gav Poole
President
Wednesday, 14 November 2012.

Trusting God — free kindle version

Posted on November 13, 2012 
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The Kindle edition of Trusting God by Jerry Bridges is currently available (for an unknown period of time) as a free download from Amazon. h/t Gary Ware.

Diocese of Niagara moves to sell vacated buildings

Posted on November 13, 2012 
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Anglican Essentials Canada reports that the Diocese of Niagara is moving towards selling property vacated by two Ontario congregations – St Hilda’s Oakville (vacated in May) and Church of the Good Shepherd in St Catharines.

Earlier related posts on this site.
Photo: David Jenkins.

Presiding Bishop backs ecclesiastical coup in South Carolina

Posted on November 12, 2012 
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“Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori has declared the ecclesiastical authority of the Diocese of South Carolina vacant and has backed a faction within the diocese that is seeking to fill the ‘vacuum’ created by the suspension of Bishop Mark Lawrence.

The loyalist ‘Transitional Committee’ has also declared the South Carolina Standing Committee to be vacant and has formed a ‘steering committee’ to act in its place.

On 11 Nov 2012, the steering committee announced that it had taken charge of the diocese…”

– George Conger at Anglican Ink has the latest.

And from lawyer A S Haley, The Anglican Curmudgeon:

“…the Diocese of South Carolina is organized as a corporation under South Carolina law. That fact guarantees its own independent, legal identity in the State’s courts and before all of its executive and legislative bodies, officers and agencies. For the Bandit Bishop and her minions to try to appropriate that identity for their own nefarious purposes is fully akin to what would be called ‘identity theft’ in any other context.”

(Photo: TEC Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori with Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams last week in Auckland. ACNS, via ENS.)

Royal Commission on child abuse

Posted on November 12, 2012 
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Media release from SydneyAnglicans.net –

A public statement from the Archbishop of Sydney on the Prime Minister’s announcement of a Royal Commission into child abuse and institutional response.

“The Diocese of Sydney expresses its unqualified abhorrence of child abuse, wherever it occurs. While the terms of reference have yet to be decided, we will work and pray for an outcome which will result in a safer society for the most vulnerable.”

Dr Peter Jensen,
Archbishop of Sydney
12/11/2012 AD

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