Chappo’s “students” and the lessons learned

Simon Manchester

The Class of Chappo

edited by David Mansfield (Grace Abounding Books)

It’s just over 10 years since Sydney evangelist, John Chapman, went ahead to glory, and his good friend David Mansfield has asked 28 of Chappo’s “students” to say how he helped them – and then show how he helped them by providing a mini-sermon.

I’ve read one testimony and sermon each day in this book and it was an absolute treat.

This is partly because the group of 28 (and there could have been hundreds included in the volume) come from a wide range of places. There are men and women, clergy and lay, home and overseas, high profile and low profile: builder, farmer, lecturer, principal, bishop and archbishop. So many people were touched by John’s life and ministry.

The other gift in the book is the way contributors have recalled vital lessons learned from John. There are theological lessons to do with having confidence in the word of God and a desire to see Christ known and honoured. There are pastoral lessons – such as his love for people, his passion in preaching, the determination to simplify, abbreviate, illustrate and, increasingly, be brief.

We are reminded through these friends (the Chappo “class”) that he could be very serious, very joyful, very urgent, very funny, very confronting and very liberating – sometimes all in the same sermon.

Quite a few mention the clarity John had – you couldn’t miss the point of the passage or its application. Others experienced the “blowtorch to the belly”, as John would provide feedback on a talk in a way that was tough but kind.

How helpful it was for me to be reminded in these pages that not all “gospel” opportunities are equal in their helpfulness! To speak into chaos, bad planning and poor inviting is difficult. And yet, as one contributor says, quoting Paul in 2 Timothy 4:2, even if it doesn’t feel like a good time, still do it.

The mini-sermons are full of riches – helpful insights, illustrations and thoughtful prayers. Nearly all the sermons deal with different passages, so it’s a good resource for everyone.

A great echo of a great man. SC assistant editor of a magazine for international students – writing, researching and proofreading – and also became an English tutor to some of the students.

A Diploma of Education followed in 1958, and although she was not allowed to work in the public system because of her hearing problem, Miss Hill’s former headmistress was keen for her to teach senior students at PLC. A year later she became head of the school’s English Department.

In 1961 she met her future husband at church, and they married the following year. Mrs Hicks put work aside to raise their family and, at her funeral, son Paul listed all the things she accomplished as a “stayat-home mum”, which included writing The Appalling Silence –an acclaimed book about the disappearance of anti-drugs campaigner Don Mackay.

She also wrote a biography of missionary and surgeon Dr Grace Warren, as well as a history of St Paul’s, Chatswood and several books for children and youth.

If that weren’t enough, Mrs Hicks wrote a column in the Anglican Church Record for 11 years, ran Chatswood’s kids’ club for more than 20 years, was a parish Synod representative and nominator, taught Scripture, was a member of the Anglican

Social Issues Committee and, for 33 years, an Anglican representative on the NSW Council of Churches.

Mrs Hicks also taught ESL at Chatswood, tutored students and continued to write and speak on issues such as the ongoing problem with the Calabrian mafia in parts of Australia, which had been behind the death of Don Mackay years earlier.

Daughter Bronwyn Nicholson said in her eulogy that her mother “had the strength of character to speak and act about things she thought were wrong, even when she knew others would consider a her a nuisance or strongly disagree.

“She stood up for what she thought was important – and it was other people who were important to her, because she knew that they were important to her God.”

Granddaughter Bridonie said that knowing Jesus had filled and transformed her grandmother’s life, “and through her God has impacted so many people with his love.

“The new life that she is enjoying right now began when she was 14, but now he has given her resurrection ears. The first voice she has ever heard perfectly in her life was her saviour Jesus calling her home and saying, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant’.”