John Stott

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Lore & Background

John Stott was born on 27 April 1921 in London to Sir Arnold Stott, an agnostic physician, and Emily Stott, who had been raised Lutheran. He was sent to boarding schools at eight years old, first to Oakley Hall prep school, then to Rugby School in 1935. While at Rugby in 1938, Stott heard Eric Nash deliver a sermon titled 'What Then Shall I Do with Jesus, Who Is Called the Christ?' Nash pointed Stott to Revelation 3:20, and Stott later described opening the door to Christ as a step that 'changed the entire direction, course and quality of my life.' He studied modern languages at Trinity College, Cambridge, earning a double first in French and theology, then trained for ordination at Ridley Hall Theological College. He received a Lambeth Doctorate of Divinity in 1983. Stott was ordained a deacon in 1945 and became curate at All Souls Church, Langham Place (1945–1950), then rector (1950–1975). In 1956, he appointed Frances Whitehead as his secretary, and they worked together until his death. He founded the Church of England Evangelical Council in 1960. In 1969, he founded Langham Trust, and in 1982 the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity, of which he remained honorary president until his death. He was a key player in the 1966–1967 dispute about evangelicals remaining in the Church of England. In 1974 he was one of the principal authors of the Lausanne Covenant. He retired from public ministry in April 2007 and died on 27 July 2011 at the College of St Barnabas in Lingfield at 3:15 pm local time, surrounded by family and close friends reading the Bible and listening to Handel's Messiah.

Reader's Guide

John Stott's significance lies in his role as an architect of 20th-century evangelicalism, shaping the faith of a generation. As a principal author of the Lausanne Covenant in 1974, he helped define the global evangelical movement. His book Basic Christianity seeks to explain the message of Christianity and convince readers of its truth and importance. He wrote over 50 books, including The Cross of Christ, of which J. I. Packer stated, 'No other treatment of this supreme subject says so much so truly and so well.' Stott also navigated internal church disputes, notably the 1966–1967 debate about evangelicals remaining in the Church of England, and helped foster dialogue with Roman Catholics through the 1977 Nottingham statement, which said, 'Seeing ourselves and Roman Catholics as fellow-Christians, we repent of attitudes that have seemed to deny it.' His influence was such that New York Times columnist David Brooks, citing Michael Cromartie, said that 'if evangelicals could elect a pope, Stott is the person they would likely choose.' Billy Graham called him 'one of his greatest spokesmen' and 'one of my close personal friends and advisors.' His legacy includes the Langham Trust and the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity, institutions that continue his work.

Did You Know?

• Stott was a pacifist and member of the Anglican Pacifist Fellowship in his youth, but later adopted a 'just war' stance.
• He appointed Frances Whitehead as his secretary in 1956, and they remained a working partnership until his death, with 'Auntie Frances' as the right hand to 'Uncle John'.
• At Cambridge, the executive committee of the Cambridge Inter-Collegiate Christian Union considered Stott too invaluable to ask him to join the committee.
• Stott's funeral was held on 8 August 2011 at All Souls Church, and memorial services were held across multiple continents including Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
• His ashes were interred at Dale Cemetery in Pembrokeshire, Wales.