unprincipled principal

Alright, alright, already

2006-10-27T07:23:00.000-07:00

If I'd known that I had to post a new blog so often I might have hesitated before I started one. Its like the first one's free, after that you pay and pay. I remember joining Columbia House and getting all those nice free CD's, but then after that they hound you to buy more. And if you're of a certain age, you know what Reader's Digest is like. They're like a tropical disease you caught years ago and every now and then you get another case. They would try for ten years to get you to subscribe again. Never let go, those guys. So, is blogging like that? Keep up your subscription, or pay for your lapses of judgment.

Anyway, what's happened in the last month? The biggest thing is my wife Susan's surgery, a hysterectomy. For the medical-terminologically challenged, that's the removal of the uterus, or womb. As she put it, the original address of our sons Michael and Matthew is now torn down. Its no longer even a heritage building. Its just gone. The surgery is a major one, similar to a caesarean section. Susan's recovery has been a great one, although, as Reed Fleming will tell you, you don't just bounce back. Healing takes time, because that's the way God has designed us. Occasionally God does instant miracles, but there are plenty more that are spread over a longer period. The miracle in this case is that Susan is recovering so well from a surgery that for many women has gone badly. She stil experiences soreness and tiredness, three weeks after the operation, but through daily exercise and rest, she is getting stronger every day.

For me, this has been a time of being attentive to Susan. Prior to the surgery, I was hopeful, and fearful, and tried to trust the Lord. When she came out of surgery, and I could she was going to be OK, I was relieved, and thankful to the Lord. Since she came home after four days in hospital,
I've looked after her. We've also experienced a lot of caring and prayers from friends here. So every day is a good day, and we have both had to slow down a lot lately and appreciate one another. God is good.

15 days later

2006-09-20T09:28:00.000-07:00

15 days into the school year, and already I can see some of our routines establishing themselves: Last week we started the Life Groups, an attempt to create a safe place for students and staff to share concerns, pray, look at Scripture, and begin to grow in mutual accountability as a means to personal holiness. Its too early to say if these will serve their intended purpose, but there was nothing like these before. Both Ken "Counsellor" Neilson and Reed "Jaws" Fleming are big on the Wesleyan approach of being able to ask one another the tough questions on our behavior and attitudes. Chapel is the daily reality of worship and hearing and reflecting on the Word. It already feels rich. Today, some of the 3rd years are meeting with the Church Army Directors, Bruce Smith, Paul Simons (here from Ontario), and Rob Marsh. They're looking with students at the future, thinking about the shape of postings mafter graduation and commissioning. And there are some other faces around here: Tim Davidson from Vineyard helping teach a course, Roger Graham from Forest hills Baptist teaching a course (with two of his church members, Katie and Sarah Jane in it), Keith osborne teaching a course, and several part time students taking courses. With Edie here as Administrator, this feels like the right team. Now, please God, send more students.

unprincipled principal

2006-09-14T12:48:00.000-07:00

unprincipled principal
I was told today by Taylor College Students that I am way behind on posting on this blog. Clearly, unprincipled principal is an appropriate name for my blog, since I seem to have no principled approach to it. Nevertheless, here it is: We are almost through our 2nd week of the fall term, after a really good week with George Porter here for a Youth Intensive. That week ended with 157 people in the Stone Church, Saint John, parking lot to watch a skateboarding competition. I cooked hot dogs and handed out choc chip cookies, and young guys with shiny helmets tried to do allsorts of things. One guy went up a ramp, up in the air, over an upturned garbage can, and landed beautifully after beitg about fiuve feet in the air. Amazing! The day turned out to be sunny and warm, pepople had fun, and it may sow the seeds of contact with another group- skaters- who don't get on the wavelength of churches or evangelists. One former Taylor College student, Chris Burke, has a ministry that includes skateboarders in Madoc, Ontario. I'd like to see what he thinks of an event like this. Now, we're into classes, teaching, meetings, but all in a pretty good atmosphere. Onward and upward!

The Ides of August

2006-08-15T11:48:00.000-07:00

August 15 is the 365th day since we arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick, from Manitoba. We got here 3 days before we could move into the new principal's residence. And my new job started on August 17, with roughly 3 weeks to go before the fall term of Taylor College was going to start.
One year later, I'm a lot more relaxed about the fall term starting in 3 weeks. It will be great to see returning students, and to see who God sends us as new students. Right now, people are still doing their summer ministries, and like the folks at the Uptown "camp" on Deer Island, are probably having a better time than me here in the office. (Sob)
George Eve's daughter Rhiannon's wedding went off without a hitch (!) last Saturday. Tomorrow he and I go off to Atlantic Baptist U. to talk to them about accreditation for Taylor College. And in the meantime we're busy getting ready for the official kickoff of the fall term on Sept. 5th. And a good time will be had by all. Or else.

Where is the summer going?

2006-07-11T12:07:00.000-07:00

Today I met Molly Walton, who graduated just before I arrived at Taylor College last year. She is serving Church Army in Jamaica as an evangelist, helping plant a newer church in a growing area outside the capital city, Kingston. What a huge challenge! And what an encouragement to me here at the College to see the sort of passion to share the gospel that Molly shows. We must be doing something right.
Now as we come close to having the C.A. National Conference, closely followed by the International Conference here at Taylor College in Saint John, we are going to see an amazing collection of people in one place. I expect to be challenged and inspired. I like schmoozing with people, as long as I can disappear for a while afterwards, the price of being an introvert.
I'm thinking as well of the students doing VBC's around the maritimes this summer, and wonder if their Fortunate Events Tour is living up to its name.

2006-07-05T07:30:00.000-07:00

My 2nd post to this blog. unvisited, unheralded, unprincipled.
The times they are a changin' at Taylor College of Mission and Evangelism, what with new staff, new ways of doing things, and new students on the way. Kim Salo, principle principal, is looking forward to a really good year here.

Principled Principal

2006-06-06T05:22:00.000-07:00

Blogging. Hmmm...Now for something to say.
One year gone in being a principal of a college that trains evangelists, Taylor College of Mission and Evangelism in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada.
One year of joy, laughter, and passion.
One year of problems, agony, and ministry.
One year of teaching, directing traffic, and decision making.
One year of being part of the Body of Christ, the part that tries to reach out wothout dumbing down, tries to grow outwards, tries to think with the mind of Christ.

As for the Fortunate Events Tour, I wish I was on it! This sounds like a lot of fun.