For a time, I thought that I was meant to be a teacher. Then I realized that God called me to be a pastor, a calling that brought Marja and me to five different Ontario towns and cities in the course of forty years of ministry: Sarnia, Orillia, London, St. Catharines and Courtice. It was during my seven years as University chaplain at the University of Western Ontario (1981-1988) that I realized my dream of recording studio albums (Malice Gives Way, Nothing Short of Grace) and performing my original material with a band (musicians connected with Paul Steenhuis’ SRS Studios).
Our return to parish ministry, while positive in so many ways, put an end to my recording and touring dreams. But songs were always brewing, as they still are, and I found ways to share them in solo performances, in worship services, and in house concerts, my favourite venue. Today, I’m thankful for the number of “keepers” that have survived fifty years of writing songs on the side.
“So, do you write ‘Christian’ songs?” someone asked me recently. Some of my songs are explicitly Christian. Some are even suitable for a worship service. But most of my songs reflect my world view as a Jesus-follower in less explicit ways. The three things that remain (“faith, hope and love”) are subtly present in all my songs. At least I hope that they are as I sing about love, nature, suffering, doubt, heartbreak, joy and various life experiences common to us all.
My musical influences? The Beatles, the Band, the Doobie Brothers, John Denver, Paul Simon, Bonnie Raitt, James Taylor, Carole King, Crosby Stills Nash and Young, Gordon Lightfoot. But the singer-songwriter-guitarists that I go to repeatedly for encouragement and inspiration, the two whose every album I own and who I have seen live more than any others, are Steve Bell and, especially, Bruce Cockburn.
So here it is. My lifetime of songs. Presented unplugged with the help of Glenn Stronks (sound) and Doug Porter (videographer and editor, web designer and master). A musical legacy dedicated to the humans I love more than any others: Marja, Christy and her daughter Jasmine, Rachel and Ian and their daughters, Gabrielle and Ava.
Peter Slofstra
Feel free to contact me ([email protected] or 226-972-6715)
Doug Porter (left), Peter (middle), Glenn Stronks (right) wrapping up another unplugged Cameron Street Session.