I am pleased to announce that I have accepted a position at Columbia Bible College, in Abbotsford, BC, as the Director of their Worship Arts Program. I am delighted with this opportunity, and have been nothing but impressed by Columbia: by its administration, its faculty, its staff, its students, its programs. I’m excited to begin teaching. And I’m terrified. In almost equal measure.
Columbia Bible College
When I was in elementary school I was one of those kids that looked forward to school in the fall. Oh, I loved summer. No doubt about that. But my nostrils would flare at the smell of pencil crayons, and I would spend weeks salivating over back-to-school flyers – meticulously making my lists, marking off the cheapest prices, and then dragging my poor Mum to at least five different locations in order to purchase the items I had circled carefully in each and every flyer. But, every year – just before the start of school – the twinge of anxiety would begin. “There’s no way I can handle grade four. They have to do multiplication and division. They don’t just colour maps… they have to know things on them!” It’s a pattern that continued, at least somewhat, throughout my academic career. “I can’t do High School. They have to read Shakespeare!” “I can’t do University. They have to write papers and complete labs!” I can’t do Grad School. They’ll actually expect me to know things!”…..
We often miss the point of education. We get so caught up in the idea that we must know all things, that we must be “enough” for every aspect of our lives, that we are no longer able to learn. We either decide that we must pretend to know everything in order to appear smart, or that we are incapable of knowing anything more because we do not know it already. Both decisions are clearly ridiculous. Both decisions result in a closed mind and stilted personal growth. The only way to learn something is to begin by acknowledging that I don’t know it, and to proceed on the understanding that I am capable of learning it.
I don’t know the demographics of everyone who reads this blog, but I do know that every single one of you is a student. And a teacher. All of us – students, teachers, butchers, bakers, candlestick-makers – have something to learn and something to teach. We reach a hand forward and a hand backward at all times, hoping to pull someone else along behind us, even as some of our weight is taken by the person ahead of us.
There is a certain delight in being able to teach someone something you have learned well: whether it be a concept, a skill, or an attitude. There is also joy in the admission that you don’t know everything – because that means there is more out there to discover. And I definitely don’t know everything. I know some things. I have some experience. But the diversity and richness of this goodly-created world means that we can exist in a constant state of wonder and learning.
Tomorrow I step onto the steepest learning curve my life has thrown me to date. But I enter into this new chapter knowing that I have much to give and that there are people who will be willing to receive it; and knowing that I have lots to learn and that there are people – staff, faculty, students, writers, practitioners – from whom I can learn much.
I think I’ll go buy some pencil crayons.
thinking worship 
Stacey – just wanted to congratulate you on you new post. I do some sessional teaching on worship, recording and audio production at CBC and was god friends w/ the former Director, Rene and the current interim Director Shar. I also know you thru Lee Kosa who is a friend as well as the pastor of my church Cedar park Community, where I was worship pastor for 5 years.
Welcome and i’m looking forward to getting to know you. I read all your posts and have enjoyed your ruminations on this slippery subject of worship in this post modern age. Not an easy one because of the plethora of opinions around.
Feel free to contact me regarding anything to do w/ CBC – or just have coffee:-)
Roy Salmond
604-597-6780 (office) 778-837-6920 (mobile) roysalmond.com facebook.com/roysalmondproducer
Thank you for this welcome, Roy! I’ve heard much about you and look forward to working with you. Just had a chat last night with Lyndon at Northview about the new studio they’re building. Exciting stuff! Definitely let’s sit down over coffee. I’m sure we have lots to chat about.
What a bracing challenge! What an opportunity! You will do a good job… you have a passion for what you are teaching and a lovely manner about you. But just in case cookies (coffee/brownies/quinoa squares) half way through the session will get everyone on side…I know… I am a survivor of 33 first days of school as a teacher.
Point taken! :) Thanks for the good advice – would be nice to have you at my shoulder as I begin!
Congrats Stacey! I’m sure you’ll do well.
Peace and grace to you,
Vania ________________________________ > Date: Mon, 18 Aug 2014 01:34:19 +0000 > To: vania_levans@hotmail.com >
Bless you Stacey, I am very pleased for you. I really appreciate your blogs. All the best is in Him, Gail
Date: Mon, 18 Aug 2014 01:34:20 +0000 To: brook_bubble@hotmail.com
I would like to sign up for your class, in fact I want to be the one bringing the cookies.
Hey Stacey, Congratulations! I’m really happy for you and I know you will be just fine in the role as you look to the Lord who has brought you here. I knew of some Kenyan students at CBC when I was at Regent and visited them a couple times and it is a lovely place.
Hi Stephanie, I stumbled on your blog as I looked for some resources as I prepare an assignment – I study at Carey. Well done on your new position – I just wanted to encourage you and pray for you – that as you continue in excitement and fear you will hear God’s comforting, encouraging and reassuring voice and sense his strong presence daily. Blessings to you.
Thank you Carla. What are you studying at Carey, and what type of assignment led you to this blog? –Stacey
Congratulations and blessings to you as you begin your work at CBC! ~Stanley