Well
done, graduates! Welcome, new alumni!
37 graduates (23
DWS and 14 MWS)
were conferred degrees on June 15 in
our eighth annual Commencement Service
(Commencement
Bulletin /
Graduates Insert).
They are the latest credentialed offspring of Bob Webber's vision, the
newest complement of servant leaders in
worship
renewal.
The membership of our
Alumni Association now totals 198 (146
DWS, 9
AGCWS, 43 MWS).
Our Graduates Pictorial Directory may be accessed
here.
Alums, you are invited to send a new
picture for the
directory and to update your personal profile.
Click on
your picture to access your profile.
Contact me if you
have questions.
Click on the thumbnail pictures at the right to see the
full size versions. The one at the bottom shows members of
the Nu
class celebrating their graduation in June at Clark's Fish
Camp. They
reserved a room and enjoyed the company
of 38 family and friends.
The following links lead to more pictures:
Commencement 2008
June Session 2008
Dr. Don Saliers
delivered
a moving Commencement sermon entitled, "Where Do We Go?"
Download the sermon (14:14).
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Award of Distinction in Christian
Worship
Kyle Brenneman, a
recent worship leadership graduate from
Huntington University in
Huntington, Indiana was given the first IWS Award of Distinction in
Christian Worship, which includes a $1,000 scholarship to continue his
studies at IWS. Kyle earned the award for the quality of his scholarship,
leadership and diligence. The scholarship is renewable each semester. To
be eligible for the award, recipients must have a minimum grade point
average of 3.5.
Kyle (pictured on
the right) is from
Spencerville, Ohio. He served as a senator-at-large on Huntington
University’s Student Senate his sophomore year, and he was the student
body vice president during his junior year. As a senior, he completed a
seven-month internship at Appleton Alliance Church in Appleton, Wisconsin.
“Kyle Brenneman has
been an exceptional leader, scholar and servant,” said
Bob Myers, Assistant Professor of Worship Leadership
at Huntington (D.W.S., 2007, pictured above with Kyle). “Kyle has been a big
help to me as we have launched the worship leadership major. I have often
looked to him for trustworthy input and feedback concerning the program. I
am confident that he will be greatly used for God’s Kingdom.”
For more information
about IWS's Award of Distinction in Christian Worship and how students at
your institution may qualify, contact
Jim Hart.
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Alumni Event 2008 Reflections
Dr. Don Saliers
led a memorable 2-day seminar during the June Session in which he
challenged our thinking and fed our souls with fresh perspective on
worship theology and practice today. He also served up generous
helpings of spiritual inspiration for ministry, along with numerous
musical and liturgical resources for the 20 alumni and guests who
attended.
The Alumni Event began
with a catered lunch where alumni and faculty were able to interact and
catch up. President Jim Hart gave an update on IWS and Chaplain
Darrell Harris encouraged us with a short devotional on Jesus' words,
"Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you
the kingdom" (Luke 12:32). We then viewed and discussed the video of
Jim Hart's Presidential Address, "Ancient Future Worship" (audio
file;
outline handout).
Don't miss the
Alumni Event 2008 picture gallery.
Audio files from the alumni seminar are
available for downloading on our
website
along with supplemental resources and handouts.
? ? ?
Here are a couple
reflections from participants at the event:
Bill Eichorn,
D.W.S.
(Alpha, 2002)
Minister of Music and the Arts,
St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, San Diego, CA
"Waiting
six years to be able to attend an alumni seminar is too long! But I
finally got it scheduled this year. I highly recommend it
to everyone. It was very stimulating for the brain and a wonderful way to
get to know other alums from other classes. There were very good
conversations both in class and out. The whole package is worth the effort
and time - meals, worship, classes, renewal, graduation, practicum and
remembrances. Missed our Bob in person but felt his presence at the
table."
Bob Myers,
D.W.S. (Theta, 2007)
Assistant Professor of Worship Leadership
Huntington University, Huntington, IN
"IWS is in my blood. The alumni seminar has
become my annual transfusion. I’ve attended for the last three years and
have
always been blessed by the fellowship of deep friendships, the
Institute’s
unique brand of corporate worship (singing the Lord’s
Prayer again is
worth the price of airline tickets alone!) and, of course, the rich
feast of dialogue and teaching that we share with our seminar instructor
and participants."
"This year’s seminar was no exception. Our sessions together were
enriched by Don Saliers’ deep spirituality and extensive experience
across the denominational spectrum. I gained new understanding of
worship through the senses and I especially appreciated his helpful
framework for worship health and renewal in the local congregation. I
will use his insights both in the classes that I teach and in the local
church where I serve."
Make plans now to attend the 10th
Anniversary Alumni Seminars:
June 13-16, 2009 featuring
Phyllis Tickle
January 6-8, 2010 featuring
Dr. John Witvliet
Read below for more details!
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Three BIG 10th Anniversary Events
I am excited to announce TWO alumni and
friends seminars as part of our 10th anniversary celebration--one during
the June Session of 2009 and one during the January Session of 2010.
And get this: you may bring your pastor or worship pastor/director to
these seminars for half price on the registration!
In
June we will welcome an inspirational and devoted woman--Phyllis
Tickle. Seasoned in the practice of prayer, Phyllis compiled the
Divine Hours series to guide believers in praying the daily
offices. She is the founding Religion Editor of Publishers Weekly,
a recognized authority on religion in America and a skillful discerner of
our times. Her latest book,
The Great Emergence: How Christianity Is Changing and Why
(forthcoming in October 2008), addresses the current transitional time in
the church in light of observable patterns in church history.
Phyllis is an energetic and engaging speaker. I recently heard her
at Mars Hill in Grand Rapids (mp3).
So, mark the dates: June 13-16, 2009 and let's celebrate God's
goodness together in Orange Park!
If June doesn't work for you, perhaps
Florida in January will be just right!
Dr. John Witvliet will be the speaker for our first January
Session
Seminar. John is the Director of the
Calvin Institute
of Christian Worship,
and Professor of
Music and Worship at Calvin College and Calvin Seminary in Grand Rapids,
MI. The CICW is doing an incredible work. For a taste, see
their
resources webpage. John writes with wisdom and depth on worship, music
and related issues, and is on the cutting edge of worship renewal in the
church around the world. His latest book is
The Biblical Psalms in Christian Worship: A Brief Introduction and Guide
to Resources. The dates for this memorable event are January
6-8, 2010.
Our third BIG 10th Anniversary event has
been on the planning table for over a year--a 10-day Holy Land
Tour/Seminar with Jerry Borchert. Jerry has been leading tours and
teaching on the biblical, historical and archeological significance of the
tour stops for many
years. He really
desires to share this experience with the IWS
community. At this point we are earmarking the trip for February
2010. Once sufficient interest has been determined we will
solidify the dates and details.
Click here to
see a sample brochure of a comparable trip. Please contact
Kent Walters as soon as possible to
express your interest in being a part of this IWS trip. Space is
limited to the first responders.
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Jim Dodge,
D.W.S.
(Nu, 2008)
Jim presented a
workshop in July at the annual gathering of the
North America Association for the Catechumenate at the Dumas Center
south of Seattle: “Stirring the Waters: Catechizing Catechumen for
Christmas Baptism during the Season of Advent.” He recently accepted an
appointment to the board of directors of
The
Liturgical Conference, and contributed
lectionary reflections on Epiphany 4 & 6, Year B that will appear in the
winter edition of Homily Service, one of the conference’s two
journals.
Don Fugate, D.W.S. (Delta, 2004)

Foxworthy Baptist Church in San Jose, California
honored Don and his wife, Diann for 25 years of faithful ministry to the
church on Sunday, April 27 with a
ceremony and reception. Don served for
24 years as
Associate Pastor and accepted the call to be Senior Pastor in September
2007.
Bob George, D.W.S. (Theta, 2007)
Bob is the pastor at the United Methodist
Church in Smethport, PA. He recently designed and taught a
continuing education course for eight area United Methodist pastors
entitled, The Dynamics of Worship.
The group met four
consecutive Wednesdays in April and May for four hours (2 hours in the morning and 2 hours
in the afternoon) at
Olmstead Manor,
a retreat center in Ludlow, PA. They discussed the challenges that impact worship
(attending worship, worshiping, participation in worship and worship as a
way of life), examined 4-fold worship flow and its application in the
churches of the attendees, and studied what happens in worship (the
Creator is enthroned, connections occur, lives are changed and world views
are built).
Susan Huckaby, D.W.S. (Iota, 2006)
Susan is Director of Worship and Discipleship Ministries for
Brentwood UMC’s new
campus in Spring Hill, TN. She also teaches at
Williamson
Christian College in Franklin, TN. I asked Susan about
the church plant and the college courses she teaches.
We are currently having weekly Bible Studies on Tuesday
nights and Thursday mornings and meeting in a school cafeteria and
member’s home. Building community is a main focus for now. The richest
blessings so far have been the relationships God has brought about. We hope to
begin weekly worship services this fall. The classes at the college are part of a Leadership in
Ministry degree program with a worship and music leadership emphasis.
The onsite courses I
teach in this two-year program are The Essentials of Music, Worship in
the Old Testament, Worship from the Early Christian Church to the Present,
The Theology of Worship, Worship Leadership and Music Ministry in the
Church, The Heart of the Artist. I also oversee the student’s
internships in area churches, and teach several of these as online courses
through the Consortium of Online Christian Colleges. I
will probably use Bob’s new book on ancient-future worship in future
classes. Bob was God‘s mouthpiece in so many ways and to so many people.
Personally, he gave me courage to attempt things for God that I had not
even dreamed of doing. I am reminded of the ruinous blessing—the holy
discontent—that IWS wrought in me and in so many of my Iota classmates. I
can almost hear Bob saying, “Well, what are you going to do about it?” I
miss him.
David Pannabecker,
D.W.S. (Theta, 2007) and

Jim Smith, D.W.S. (Epsilon, 2007)
David and Jim recently co-taught a seven-week
course, Music and Worship, at
Bethel College, Indiana,
which was an overview of the historical, cultural, and theological
foundations of Christian worship with an application to a contemporary
worship setting. The class was a non-traditional adult class that met in
the evening. The students had to evaluate three worship
services in
traditions outside their own, as well as write a paper outlining their philosophy of worship.
The course concluded with a practicum in which the class presented a chapel
service for the entire school.
David also taught a January Term course,
The Theology
of
Baptism, at Huntington University. His class combined with
a J-Term class (Emergent Worship) taught by Bob Myers (D.W.S.,
Theta 2007) to present a service for the student
body. The combined classes are pictured in the bottom thumbnail at the right.
Daniel Jackson, D.W.S. (Eta, 2005)
We extend hearty congratulations
to Dan Jackson who was granted full professorship with tenure at
Point Loma
Nazarene University, San Diego, CA, in March 2008. This is a
significant accomplishment! I asked Dan to write a brief summary of
his journey to this landmark.
After a career of 22 years in
public education, I was approached by several state and private
universities about possible employment at their institutions. God had blessed
my work as a choir conductor at Mt. Whitney High School, in Visalia CA.
by allowing my students the opportunities to be featured at numerous ACDA
and MENC National Conventions where thousands of choral conductors heard
my choirs. Consequently, universities asked me if I was interested in
teaching students in higher education. One thing led to another and Point
Loma Nazarene University, which is an institution in San Diego that is
rated in the top academic tier of Christian Universities, extended a
full-time position to me in 2002 where I would conduct a couple of choirs
and head-up the music ministry department. The university required that I
work on a terminal degree. The chair of the music department and
Provost were impressed with Robert Webber and suggested that I pursue a
doctorate at IWS. I immediately enrolled in IWS which was quite a change
in education endeavors since my BA was in Music Education and MA in Choral
Conducting. I was a part-time music minister for 25 years and had
extensive experience in the musical aspect of church ministry, but very
little theological training. For me, IWS was a perfect doctoral program to
help me with my teaching responsibilities at PLNU. Visiting accreditation teams with
NASM (National Association of Schools of Music) that have come to PLNU
have been impressed that I received a doctorate at IWS and the university
recently granted me full-professor status with tenure. My time at IWS was
positive with caring and competent professors who were interested in my
career path and how IWS could assist.
Merril Smoak,
D.W.S. (Alpha, 2002)
On
Sunday, May 25 Merril was recognized for 30 years of ministry at
Trinity Baptist
Church in Livermore, CA. where he serves as Associate Pastor, Music &
Worship. Merril is a recognized collector of early American hymnbooks and
hymnological reference materials. His article “The Language of Jesus
Lover of My Soul: Charles Wesley’s Phrase at the End of the 20th
Century” will be published in the summer issue of THE HYMN, the academic
journal of The
Hymn Society of America and Canada. Three of his articles on worship
have recently been published in LifeWay’s LET’S WORSHIP magazine. LifeWay
has also recently contracted him to write a series of worship articles on
the church year. Since 2005 he has been serving as the Dean of the
Jubilee College of Music
at Olivet University in San Francisco.
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New Website Resources
We increasingly hear
from visitors to the IWS website who have discovered the resources and are grateful for the easy and free access to the valuable
tools for personal growth and ministry that are available.
Several new resources
that were generated during the June Session have been recently published on the
website. Take advantage of these "sword-sharpening" tools.
Here is a list of several of the newest links on our site:
Ancient Future Worship (Jim Hart, Presidential Address,
June '08, 25:03)
Here's Looking at You, Kid (Vern Sanders, Guest Lecture,
June '08, 38:18)
When
I'm Left Alone (Dan
Lee, Convocation Sermon, June '08, 29:54)
Where Do We Go? (Don Saliers, Commencement Sermon, June
'08, 14:14)
Chapel Series: Ancient Future Worship (audio, Darrell
Harris, June '08)
Alumni
Seminar Sessions (audio and resources, Don Saliers, June '08)
"The Seven Deadly Sins" (audio series by Carla Waterman, March '08)
Worship bulletins from the June 2008 session
The Published Works of Robert E. Webber: A Partial Listing by Category
Psalm 46
Chant (Chapel Worship,
Jan. 2008)
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Early Reviews of Bob Webber's Last Book
Robert Webber.
Who Gets to Narrate the World?: Contending
for the Christian Story in an Age of Rivals. IVP Books, (May 30,
2008).
Scot McKnight (Jesus Creed):
Who Will Tell the
Story?
World Magazine (June
14, 2008 edition):
Robert
Webber's Who Gets to Narrate the World? Contending for the Christian
Story in an Age of Rivals faces squarely the competition
the Gospels face. He traces how in a pagan, Roman world of swirling
stories the biblical narrative of God entering the world's suffering to
defeat death took hold of the imaginations of millions. The idea that God
was in touch with the earthly sphere of life, and that the Incarnation
rendered all of creation holy and broke down the distinction between
sacred and secular, eventually changed all of Western civilization.
Who Gets to Narrate the World?
is Webber's last book—he wrote dozens before dying of pancreatic cancer
last year—and is a superlative note on which to leave this life. He pushes
Christians to repent of cultural accommodation in the face of secularism
and Islam: Christians, he argues, should proclaim the claims of Christ not
by emphasizing moralism but by absorbing the biblical narrative of
redemption, and then teaching it to others through both word and deed. —
Marvin Olasky
Bob's books are available at a
discounted rate through
ancientfutureworship.com.
For fast service you may call
Sheryl Watkins at 630-510-8905.
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Annual Fund Giving Report
by Karen Carpenter, D.W.S.
(Delta, 2006)
Chair, Annual Fund
Campaign
We
are so happy to announce that we have exceeded our goal for the 2007-2008
Annual Fund for IWS. The goal was $75,000 and the final number reached is
$76,886. A key part of this success was the matching gift of $20,000
donated by a private foundation, and of course the faithful contributions
of IWS alumni, board, faculty, staff, students and friends. Your
generosity is greatly appreciated.
The Annual Fund
contributes significantly towards the operating expenses of the Institute
and is extremely important to the future of IWS. The continued success of
the Institute depends largely on our ability to sustain and grow this
Annual Fund as the foundation of our development efforts.
Please keep the
Institute in your prayers and giving plans. If you have any questions or
would like additional information, do not hesitate to contact me
or Dr. Jim Hart. We are grateful to God for his continued
blessings.
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© 2008 The Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies