One of my little sadnesses is that I was not able to meet John Stott after I moved across to work in the ministry which he founded, Langham Partnership. In those early years, however, he was always present on the agenda of our meetings — with a quiet, mysterious little entry: the snowy owl project. John Stott was known and loved, far and wide, and this was Langham’s way to be fully prepared and clear with their communications when he eventually died — in July 2011.
John Stott’s passion for the snowy owl is well known. It graces the cover of his book on ornitheology, The Birds, Our Teachers. It is also the subject of a Stott-narrated video in which he speaks of his 23 year quest to find a snowy owl, and his eventual success (see here). It is well worth watching.
This morning I went back to the YouTube channel to find this link. It was there, but next to it was another one I had not seen previously: “How to Draw a Realistic Snowy Owl”.
About Me

the art of unpacking
After a childhood in India, a theological training in the USA and a pastoral ministry in Southland (New Zealand), I spent twenty years in theological education in New Zealand — first at Laidlaw College and then at Carey Baptist College, where I served as principal. In 2009 I began working with Langham Partnership and since 2013 I have been the Programme Director (Langham Preaching). Through it all I've cherished the experience of the 'gracious hand of God upon me' and I've relished the opportunity to 'unpack', or exegete, all that I encounter in my walk through life with Jesus.
Recent Posts
Just when I thought that it could not be possible to have another first-hand account of the impact of John Stott’s life (d. 2011), along comes this book by his close friend, John Wyatt. I am always ready to learn more about John Stott, but also about friendship. It fascinates me. It keeps coming up…
Reading stories to grandchildren over Christmas reminded me again of how powerful they can be. They are so compact and simple in presentation, and yet so clever in construction. There are just so many features at work in an effective story. It is some years since I taught narrative preaching, but when I did I’d…
Apart from the eight years in which we were based overseas, Barby has been working at the Refugee Resettlement Center in Auckland since 2002. This year she is a ‘release teacher’, spending one day each week in three different classrooms, with three different age groups. Impressive—and demanding. One day is spent with 11-13 year olds—from…
During our Auckland lock in, our daughter Ashley sent the Auckland dwellers of our family a painting set each to releive our monotony. Three of the four have painted their master pieces with the help of Bob Ross https://www.twoinchbrush.com/painting/mountain-retreat
I've yet to do mine! (though Raewyn's did make a good sermon illustration!)
So let me get this straight, Ken …
Are some of those paintings on Bob Ross' site the work of the 'Auckland dwellers' of your family?
That is definitely a step-up from snowy owls on ArtHub. Not sure I have the courage to do that, but it sounds like neither do you 🙂
Look forward to seeing your work.
Paul
This comment has been removed by the author.
Hey Paul – nice post! I was about to stage an intervention (or something) to work on your adversion toward drawing/painting. Delighted to see you "giving it a go" – well done! And a delightful aside. Year 7 is the youngest class I teach and in my intro to them a couple of weeks back something happened that every teacher lives for. While I was drawing on the whiteboard an annonymous voice burst out from the middle of the class… "WOW! This is the best class ever. I'm going to really enjoy art!" I'm looking forward to more masterpieces!
And here I was hoping that you wouldn't see this post… 🙂
Hope you are doing OK