Thanksgiving Service for Chappo set for next Saturday (updated)

Posted on November 21, 2012 
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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: Judgment, Salvation, the Living and the Dead

Posted on November 21, 2012 
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As we remember Chappo, we must not forget what drove him – and what should drive every Christian.

At The Proclamation Trust, Adrian Reynolds links to this video of Dick Lucas, recorded on November 11 in Dundee. Six minutes of your time well spent.

C of E General Synod: Women Bishops measure narrowly lost

Posted on November 21, 2012 
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“Following 12 years of legislative progress and several hours of debate during the 20 Nov 2012 afternoon session of synod, the Consecration and Ordination of Women Measure failed to pass in all three houses of the Church of England’s legislative body.” – Anglican Ink.

See also: Reform statement. Church of England. BBC. The Telegraph (1). The Telegraph (2).  Comment from Reformation21. EVNews. CEEC statement.

Also on ABC Radio’s The World Today. (Note that the while the transcript of ACL President Gavin Poole’s remarks says,

“I don’t think we should be surprised when those who halt the biblical teachings in the church appear out of step with the community.”

should be

“I don’t think we should be surprised when those who hold to the biblical teachings in the church appear out of step with the community.” It does change the meaning a little. ;-)

Dick Lucas gives thanks for Chappo

Posted on November 20, 2012 
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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.

Getting to know the new Archbishop of Canterbury

Posted on November 20, 2012 
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How well do we know Bishop Justin Welby, soon to be the Archbishop of Canterbury?

Take the time to read or listen to some of his recent sermons:

Pentecost sermon, Durham Cathedral, 27th May 2012 (PDF).

Enthronement sermon, 26th November 2011. (text)

The Chrism Eucharist, 5th April 2012. (text)

Easter Vigil 2012, 8th April 2012. (text)

Last sermon at Liverpool Cathedral – link downloads a 23MB mp3 file.

and others here and here. (Photo: Diocese of Durham.)

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.”

 

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