Going Against His Wishes: Remembering R. C. Chapman
Out of the plethora of godly preachers who have already entered into glory, who graces your list of heroes? There are plenty to choose from: Chrysostom, Whitefield, Edwards and Lloyd-Jones, Moody and Morgan, Torrey, Tozer, Spurgeon, and Simeon along with the rest of the great cloud of witnesses. Let me suggest one more worth adding to your list: Robert Cleaver Chapman. If he’s an unfamiliar name to you, he was the nineteenth-century English pastor who said, “What is most precious in the sight of God is often least noticed by men.” And while perhaps not especially noticed by men today, many of his friends, such as George Muller, Hudson Taylor, and John Nelson Darby, are. Spurgeon himself referred to Chapman as “the saintliest man I ever knew.”
Today marks 116 years since Robert Chapman, at the age of 99, departed to be present with His Lord. We can learn much from the manner of this godly pastor’s life. This post includes just a few comments on three of his many notable traits. May these brief reflections inspire some to explore his life and ministry further.
Hospitality
When Chapman moved to Barnstaple, where he spent most of his ministry, he needed a place to live. Like most house hunters, he had a wish list. However, his interest wasn’t marble countertops, hardwood floors, and stainless steel appliances. He was seeking a house with extra guestrooms and one located in the poor part of town. He intended from the beginning for his home to be a haven of rest and rejuvenation for those in Christian service. Missionaries and pastors could stay as long as needed to enjoy prayer, fellowship, and rest. Chapman vividly demonstrated hospitality by humbly cleaning each of his guests’ boots by hand. To him, it was the contemporary application of New Testament foot washing.
Selflessness
During his pastorate at Ebenezer Chapel, there was a church split. The seceding minority forcefully demanded that Chapman and his followers vacate and hand over the church building. There was no obligation to do so, but Chapman and the church did just that. They took the words of Christ in Luke 6:29b to heart. In an unexpected turn of events, the body soon encountered a second opportunity to exercise peaceableness and forbearance. After locating a property that seemed to suit their needs, they began the process of purchasing it when another church intimated they had hoped to purchase the property for themselves. Again, Chapman and his congregation relinquished their rights for the sake of selfless love towards others.
Humility
Chapman came from a wealthy family and already had a successful legal career when he chose to surrender material success for the Lord’s work. He gave away his earthly goods, retaining only enough for the purchase of a house. For the remaining seventy years of his life, he lived simply and gave away most of what he received to the poor. His life was a life characterized by gentle humility. He never sought fame and recognition, but he was well known and respected in his day. Throughout his life he tried to fend off attempts to publish his works (sometimes unsuccessfully) and near the end, not wishing to draw attention to himself, destroyed his personal letters because he wanted people to think of the Lord Jesus instead of Robert Chapman.
Conclusion
No one would claim Chapman was perfect but he was a godly servant committed to the Lord’s work. And he still has some valuable lessons to teach us. It may not have been his wish that we remember him today. However, I would like to think he would agree with Paul’s attitude expressed in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.”
If you’re motivated to study more about this pastor’s life, pick up Robert Chapman: A Biography for an excellent full-length biographical treatment. If you prefer to tackle a shorter abridged “snapshot”, grab Agape Leadership: Lessons in Spiritual Leadership from the Life of R. C. Chapman.
Brent Niedergall is youth pastor at Catawba Springs Christian Church in Apex, North Carolina. He holds an MDiv from Shepherds Theological Seminary and is pursuing a DMin from Maranatha Baptist Seminary.
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