Words and Deeds Together: Gratitude for the Ministry of John Stott

Last updated on: August 8, 2011 at 6:49 pm by Amy Julia Becker

Words and Deeds Together: Gratitude for the Ministry of John Stott 2011-08-08T18:49:31-04:00 Amy Julia Becker

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Because I was away, I missed the opportunity to express my gratitude for John Stott’s ministry after his death on July 27th. But I wanted to take a moment to draw attention to two of the many wonderful tributes written about his long and full career as a worldwide evangelical leader.

First, Christianity Today’s obituary, which offers an overview of Stott’s life and ministry.

But I’d also like to point out Nicholas Kristof’s tribute to John Stott: Evangelicals Without Blowhards, in which he commends Stott as a leader of many evangelicals who put their faith in action by offering compassion and care for many around the world. Kristof acknowledges the “blowhards” within the evangelical tradition, but he defends evangelicals who follow Stott’s (and, I hope, Jesus’) example:

Those self-appointed evangelical leaders come across as hypocrites, monetizing Jesus rather than emulating him. Some seem homophobic, and many who claim to be “pro-life” seem little concerned with human life post-uterus. Those are the preachers who won headlines and disdain.

But in reporting on poverty, disease and oppression, I’ve seen so many others. Evangelicals are disproportionately likely to donate 10 percent of their incomes to charities, mostly church-related. More important, go to the front lines, at home or abroad, in the battles against hunger, malaria, prison rape, obstetric fistula, human trafficking or genocide, and some of the bravest people you meet are evangelical Christians (or conservative Catholics, similar in many ways) who truly live their faith.

I’m not particularly religious myself, but I stand in awe of those I’ve seen risking their lives in this way — and it sickens me to see that faith mocked at New York cocktail parties.

People credit St. Francis of Assissi with the saying, “Preach the gospel always. If necessary, use words.”

John Stott preached the gospel with words–in sermons, in books, in lectures, in conversations, in letters. He also preached the gospel with his actions of humility, simplicity, and mercy. I’m grateful for his example, and grateful that Nicolas Kristof chose to draw attention to the faith of many like him.

Previous Post

August 8, 2011

Family Vacation: What Was Lost and What Was Gained

Next Post

August 9, 2011 You Can't Always Get What You Want

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Articles Books Disability Down Syndrome Faith family Perfectly Human Uncategorized

Select a Month February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 September 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz