Caroline Chambers

Grad Portfolio
Jan 21, 2015
Essay
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My time at Briercrest has been a mix of very good and very difficult, with the very

difficult times only serving to highlight the very good times, in which I saw Gods
goodness to me. Entering education after almost 35 years has been a challenge to say
the least. However, I entered with both the confidence of Gods leading and the
reassurance of his presence and provision for every step. The assignments were
challenging and difficult; combined with a complex family situation I found the whole
situation overwhelming at times, especially during the hectic pace of the second year
TESOL program. I felt I only had one option, and that was to focus on Jesus and
continuously put my hand in his. Looking to him for peace as I often fought the rising
panic in completing an assignment I found too difficult, he taught me how to find shelter
in giving thanks. In that place I could learn the knowledge the courses are designed to
convey.
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I attended Millar School of the Bible directly after high school, and the bulk of the

required Biblical studies and theology courses needed to complete the TESOL program
were completed there. While I understood and agreed with the things I was taught at
that time, I found that learning about God and learning to know God are not the same
thing. When I began studies at Briercrest, I had come to believe that formal theological
training more often than not separates its students from an intimate knowledge of
Jesus, as study becomes the focus rather than Jesus. My opinion was that theology

training perhaps resembles art teachers who try to help students critique a famous
painting, examining every detail of the painting, the brush strokes, the use of color and
light, the repetition of lines, what tools were used in painting, with each teacher and
student eager to discover a new aspect of the painting that may reveal meaning that
they can share with other teachers and students, perhaps showing their excellent art
critiquing abilities. However, in examining all the details of the painting, the teachers
overlook the crucial feature of the painting: it is made to step into. Once inside, the
painting is experienced, not examined. While each person steps into the same picture,
each experience is unique but complimentary to others experiences. This view had
made me unsure about what I would learn in theology classes here. I was unwilling to
return to a place of examining the painting, fearing I would loose the reality of the
experience. I have learned though, that true theology will incorporate the experience of
stepping into the picture. True theology is needed to draw one into true experience.
Thus far, I have only completed one of the Biblical Studies courses I need, Scripture
and Canon. The remainder: Missions, Hebrews, and Exodus, will be completed at the
end of this semester. In my Scripture and Canon class I learned the role of Scripture in
the early church, and how the experience of the Holy Spirit among them worked
together with the writings of the patriarchs and the apostles to build the church. The
early churchs practices and views regarding scripture help me to be sure of its
authority, as well as the witness of the Spirit that existed in them and now also in me. I
have relied heavily on Gods word to believe that Gods intense love for me means that
His desire is to communicate with me in some way on a constant basis. My role is to
listen to what he says and believe. Through my research for the paper I wrote in that

class on the Speech Act Theory 1, I learned that Gods word is not just given as
information for us, his spoken word has power that is meant to accomplish his
purposes. The first chapter in the book of Hebrews establishes the authority of the
message God gives us, and the messenger, who is Jesus. On the basis of that authority
I have confidence in my personal journey with God that he sees every detail of my life, I
have confidence that he guides my steps both to fulfill the desires of my heart, and to
bring glory to his name.
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I have lived in four countries in Asia and have attended international churches in

each of those countries. At first it was difficult to worship in unfamiliar settings, and
sometimes languages, but I also appreciated seeing the variety of ways that people
worship. I can see the value of a statement of faith2 that can cross cultural boundaries
and at the same time give a foundation that allows one the confidence of keeping their
faith in unfamiliar church settings.
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The fact that I have enjoyed learning so much has surprised me - in surprising

ways! God used the English classes I took to speak to me about creativity. I somehow
grew up with the unfortunate opinion that art was frivolous, and that God valued hard
work and common sense much more than art and being creative. Thankfully, God has
been teaching me that creativity is one expression of his joy, and that he takes joy in
seeing the creativity that is in each one of us because we are made in his image. Poetry
by authors such as Emily Dickinson and Wendell Barry showed me that the written word
can help people see the beauty of Gods creation even in dismal circumstances, and

Interpreting Christian Scripture: Speech Act Theory

Articulating Theology: Doctrinal Statement

can direct people to truths that are sometimes difficult to see in strait-forward theology 3.
On the practical side, my English classes taught me how to formulate a thesis and
defend it, and also how to develop a paragraph. This was vital information that I needed
to know in putting together research papers4 with a persuasive argument, in a clear
and concise manner. Presentations are definitely something that is difficult for me, but
learning how to write essays also helped me put together presentations5. When I knew
that my information was put together in a logical and concise way, I was able to present
that information more confidently. My Philosophy class and Interdisciplinary Studies
class helped me to take a step back to be able to look at how culture and society have
shaped my beliefs and even my theology. I have an understanding of modernity and
postmodernity that now helps me to examine my perspective and cultural influences
and compare them again to Scripture6. I can see how the influence of modernity and
enlightenment has often led me to replace spiritual perception with cognitive
understanding, and even to see spiritual perception as emotion that is unreliable
compared with logic and reason. As I now read through the books of Exodus and
Hebrews, I am much more open to separating myself from my culture and live according
to that which is unseen. Moses had to step forward in faith against his own substantial
fears that made much more sense to him than what God was telling him to do (Exodus
3). Hebrews 11 supplies a long list of people who value the unseen promise of God
even though it may disagree with their senses.
3

Other learning: Creativity in English

NTSD Research paper

Visual Presentation plan

Other learning: IDST essay

These things also confirm my step of faith in working towards a degree at this

point in my life. I would not have attempted this without knowing that the Lord was
leading me, and that he would be providing me with complete access to his strength,
wisdom and resources. What I learned in the program exceeded my expectations, and
Gods provision for me in the seemingly impossible tasks and schedules helped me
experience his love for me in increasingly deeper levels. Living in Asia as my husband
worked in International schools, I was drawn into teaching English, and I saw the unique
ministry opportunities that teaching English provides. As I became more involved in
teaching and particularly tutoring, I became more aware of the position and influence an
English teacher has in the lives of her students. My purpose in returning to school
therefore was to become properly qualified to teach English. Utmost in my desire and
intention in teaching was to use this opportunity to share the Lord with my students.
Living in other countries also showed me the importance of cultural sensitivity in
ministry. During my time in Asia, I became very interested cultures, but at the time, I did
not connect these two growing interests. The fact that the Briercrest TESOL program
incorporated a significant cultural element strongly appealed to me; I was very happy
that I would learn about these two interests along side each other. I learned early on in
the course that cultural sensitivity was as important as grammar and teaching
methodology. Among the cultural aspects to be considered were ethnocentrism,
colonialism and its implications, the ethical aspect of using English as a means to share
the gospel, even my own attitudes about who should have access to an English
teachers role. Would I be in opposition to TESOL values if I imbedded my spiritual
values into my teaching practices, as some TESOL professionals assert? Was I

propagating colonialism by spreading English, thereby strengthening the effects of

Western culture, and by default then, weakening the host culture? Did I, as a result of
being raised in a Western culture, have an unconscious sense of privilege or superiority
that would find its way into my teaching practices, unintentionally preparing my students
for subservient social roles? My course reflection paper7 in the TESOL Ethics class
helped me to confront these issues and try to find answers in keeping with my goal of
excellence in teaching because of my faith. While the nature of ethical questions is that
there is no easy answer, I learned that my belief in God could help me act as a bridge
between cultures, and lessen the possibly damaging impact Western culture can have. I
have the constant guidance of the Holy Spirit, to whom no culture is a mystery. My
classes in the TESOL program have both prepared me to be culturally aware and
responsible, and helped me to see that the effectiveness of my teaching depends on
how well I pattern my life after Jesus.
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My desire as I leave Briercrest is to reflect Gods goodness. I know that my

degree will now open doors in many areas, both in Canada or almost any country in the
world. I have seen in my own experience with him that he does not have limitations. I
am looking forward to take the many lessons I learned at Briercrest and apply them in
the areas of ministry now open to me because of my education here.