John Stott: The Making of a Leader: A Biography of the Early Years

by Timothy Dudley-Smith

Winner of the 2001 John Pollock Award for Christian Biography! John Stott stands as one of the towering figures of Christianity in the twentieth century. He was a key framer of the historic Lausanne Covenant (1974). And he wrote Basic Christianity which has sold over three million copies in more than fifty languages. From his home base of All Souls Church in London's West End, he has shaped the face of evangelicalism around the world. But what has shaped John Stott? How did he become what Christianity Today calls "evangelicalism's premier teacher and preacher?" Timothy Dudley-Smith, a longtime friend and co-worker, offers in this book the beginning of a monumental study of Stott's life--tracking the early influences, challenges and achievements that set the course for a lifetime of Christian ministry. Dudley-Smith traces the growth of young Stott, who even as a child attended church and Sunday school at All Souls. He shows us Stott's conversion as a teenager and the subsequent influence upon his growth of Scripture Union's E. J. H. Nash. Here and in the British Inter-Varsity Fellowship of Cambridge, Stott's leadership abilities and concern for evangelism were already apparent. But strain between Stott and his father was pronounced as Stott began to follow his call to ministry while World War II embroiled his country. After his ordination at the close of the war, he renewed his association with All Souls, and he launched creative and energetic evangelism campaigns while providing leadership for the emerging evangelical movement within the Anglican Church and around the world. Covering Stott's first forty years, this volume reveals his lighthearted humanity and his resolute focus on God's Word and God's work in the world. Here you'll discover the fascinating detail and rewarding overview of a life that is at once instructive and inspiring.

Genres: Biography, History, Christian, Leadership

513 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Born 26 December 1926 in Manchester, England.

Ordained deacon 1950, priest 1951
Archdeacon of Norwich, 1973-81
Bishop of Thetford, 1981-91

Since 1992 in retirement at 9 Ashlands, Ford, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 6DY, England.

As a hymn writer, has published c. 400 hymn texts (no music, but many to well-known tunes) originally in four single-author collections, now out of print, but subsumed into a larger collected edition, A House of Praise, 2003 and the three supplementary collections from the Oxford University Press. Many such hymns appear in published hymnals throughout the English-speaking world and in translation. He is an honorary vice-president of the Hymn Society of Great Britain and Ireland, a Fellow of the Hymn Society in the United States and Canada, and a Fellow of the Royal School of Church Music. In 2003 he was awarded an OBE 'for services to hymnody', and in 2009 an honorary Doctor of Divinity (DD) from the University of Durham.

Reviews

[Adam Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is not for the faint-hearted. It was obviously a labour of love for Timothy Dudley-Smith, a personal friend of John Stott, and he was determined to be thorough, taking 460 pages to cover just the first part of Stott's life, up to the 1950s.

But if you're happy to skim some of the extended letter extracts and birdwatching diary entries, this is both an interesting biography and a window into the history of twentieth-century British evangelicalism. There are some particularly fascinating sections, such as Stott's attempts to avoid military conscription and Billy Graham's nervousness about speaking to British university students. And it was instructive to see how Stott was blessed by older mentors who invested time in encouraging him, and how he in turn invested time in others. And it was challenging to see his dedication and commitment to gospel work.

I picked this up at a second hand rotary club book sale for £2 (hardback!). Money well spent, I think.

[Imogen · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone interested in the history of UK evangelicalism, this was well worth a read and persevering with.

However, once I started reading, I realised that this book is just the first half of John Stott’s biography (it only covers his birth up to the 1950’s).

It is so incredibly detailed and well researched (I had an image of Dudley-Smith sitting at a typewriter literally drowning in all the letters Stott had ever received in the first forty years of his life), that it takes a lot of effort to read. I’ve only read two books by John Stott, and it made me wonder whether I should have read more of them before reading this biography!

Particular highlights of the book:

- Stott’s first encounter with deodorant (Billy Graham first presented Stott with deodorant as a Christmas present(!));

- Discovering Stott was an avid bird watcher and enthusiast, and would spend hours watching and observing birds wherever he travelled to on missions and on holiday;

- Helpful discussion of the debate surrounding fundamentalism and evangelicalism in the UK and US in the 1950’s;

- and a whole chapter detailing Stott’s insistence that he would not fight in WW2, much to the dismay of his parents.

[Lynnette Goebel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an exercise in learning for me. I'm not familiar with many of the terms used in the Anglican church, nor the English way of speaking or living. I learned. I enjoyed learning. While I have always admired John Stott, it was encouraging to read about his life. I found many familiar names that were his contemporaries. I was encouraged by the many testimonies of salvation, to see how God worked in England (Australia, South Africa, USA) through the ministries begun or supported by Stott.

Many may find it tedious, but I enjoyed it very much. Did you know that Stott attended Urbana Conferences in Illinois? That he was a friend and encourager of Billy Graham? A contemporary of J I Packer? Have you read his book Basic Christianity? (It is now on my list to read again.) Did you know he was a bird-watcher extraordinaire and that he wrote a book on birds using his own photos? I have this book, and will now go back and read it again!

[Frank Peters · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is outstanding, and very well written. I was quite absorbed into the of John Stott, and am even more thankful for God, for this godly man. The book was a bit of a cultural shock to me, given the privilege and money surrounding Stott as an upper-class Englishman. I could not relate. However, I am encouraged that God can transform someone who started life with servants into such a humble servant of His Kingdom. My only real criticism of the book was that it was double the length it needed to be. For example, I really don’t care about what birds he saw on his various trips. Had the author merely stated that once again John Stott went bird watching, that would have been more than sufficient. With the exception of the book’s length, I can certainly recommend it.

[Tim Littleford · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's heavy on quotes and references which slows the narrative of Stotts life. Probably why it took me 150 pages to get into, once I did however I was struck by the integrity and faithfulness of the man. The tension between him and his father over his pacifism in the midst of world war 2 is fascinating, as is his experience in university missions and his growth in leadership of All Souls. On to part 2!

[Levi Friesen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Long book. Great additional anecdotes that can often only be found in an authorised biography.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very nice biography. Dudley-Smith is a bit wordy at times, but altogether very informative of bio of the great evangelical Brits.

[Filip Sylwestrowicz · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first volume of Dudle-Smith's massive biography of John Stott covers the period from 1920s to 1950s. The book describes Stott's childhood, studies in Cambridge, curacy in All Souls, appointment as a rector and first university missions in the United Kingdom, United States and Canada, Australia and South Africa. The biography is very informative, well-researched and filled with amusing anecdotes. Dudley-Smith has a lucid and entertaining writing style that helps to read this bulky volume at a relatively fast pace.

Since this biography was written by a personal friend of John Stott, other books should be consulted for critical evaluation of Stott's legacy. Dudley-Smith does not hide his admiration for John Stott. But this does not detract from the value of this book as a source of information and sympathetic portrayal of Stott. For me it was also a helpful introduction to the history of English evangelicalism in the 20th century. Dudley-Smith puts much effort to place Stott's life against the background of his times and provide historical background for events described in the book.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading Biographies of those who have served the Lord. Timothy Dudley-Smith has evident affection for his subject but still gives us an honest accessment the factors that made John Stott the leader that he became. Well worth your time.

[J Payne · Rating 3 out of 5]

The portrait of Stott is fascinating for its detail, but often there is simply too much! Dudley-Smith needed a stronger editor to cut out much unnecessary material - too many letter quoted in full, too many diary entries about bird etc. But the story overall is hugely encouraging and informative.

[John Dearing · Rating 2 out of 5]

A biiography of John Stott, one of the most influential evangelical theologians in England. Kind of dry, but most biographies are.

[Mathias Seiwert · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I am fascinated by the ways the LORD prepared, matured, and equipped John Stott for a world-wide, fruitful, and life-long ministry.”