John Stott is a talented author as well. He has written over 40 books. His best known, Basic Christianity, has been translated into more than 50 languages. Other titles include The Cross of Christ, The Contemporary Christian, Evangelical Truth and New Issues Facing Christians Today, and eight New Testament expositions (Acts, Romans etc.) in the 'Bible Speaks Today' series.
Being recognised as a leading evangelical in the world, a recent article in TIME magazine in April named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world.
Birdsall described John Stott as "an exemplary churchman, scholar and preacher committed to the full counsel of God" and has "a heart and a vision for the world". Thus, he models the catchwords of Lausanne – "the whole church taking the whole gospel to the whole world".
Stott has been involved with Lausanne in various leadership roles since the beginning of the movement. At the historical 1974 International Congress on World Evangelisation, Stott served as chair of the drafting committee for the Lausanne Covenant and was one of the Covenant's principal writers. From 1974-81, Stott chaired the Lausanne Theology and Education Group.
During the Second Lausanne International Congress on World Evangelisation in 1989, Stott was drafting committee chair for the Manila Manifesto, a document that affirmed the Lausanne Covenant and stated, among other things, "...the urgent need for churches, mission agencies and other Christian organisations to cooperate in evangelism and social action . . ."
Today, the Lausanne Covenant and the Manila Manifesto continue to provide a theological and historical underpinning for denominations, ministries and individuals committed to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Birdsall said Stott's life-long service to Christ and to the work of the church is a life that is "consistent with the gospel we proclaim". He is therefore a valuable model for emerging leaders and established leaders around the world.
Birdsall also believes that Stott's involvement with Lausanne this time will also "provide inspiration for Christian leaders worldwide as they come together to address the task of global evangelisation through a revitalised Lausanne movement."
