Categories: 20-questions
Tags: John Stott, confessions, 20 Questions
Date: 15 January 2009 22:44:18
So, it's about time for another randomly-selected true life revelation from my original list of 20 odd and random life incidents. Numbers 10. and 11.: Stott-related. First, how I got invited into JS's bedroom.It was 1985. My boss at the Christian magazine I worked for was in hospital being treated for leukaemia. As the only other member of staff, I was editing the magazine in his stead. One weekend I went to a Christian arts and media weekend at a retreat centre outside London. As I arrived, I walked past John Stott in the corridor, and greeted him, but got no response. Then I went up to my room.
A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door, and a well-modulated voice said 'Are you decent?'. I opened the door, and there was His Royal Stottness standing there. He immediately apologized for not recognizing me in the corridor, said he realized I was having a hard time at present (he was a patron of the magazine), and informed me that he was in the room opposite me and at any time in the weekend, if I wanted to talk, I should go and knock on his door. Wasn't that kind? I was amazed he even remembered who I was.
As for JS calling me wise, it was a forum on sex and relationships, where he and I were on the panel together, with various other luminaries including Elaine Storkey. After the question time was over, he came over to myself and Elaine and, addressing us both equally, said 'You're very wise'. I was touched (well, not literally, but you know what I mean..).
That's enough confessions for now. Next time, I might tell you how I snogged a future bishop. Or how I snogged Jonathan Ross's future stepfather. Not both at once.