From the Editor: Part of God's Story

The Impact of IWS: A Few Personal Stories

IWS has opened many doors and has given me the skills I need for effective worship planning. It has also helped to shape my faith in such a deep way that I cannot describe it. I am “ruined” to the worship of the recent past. [Jarrod Brown, D.W.S., Mu 2008].

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Here are some changes in worship at my church (United Methodist Church, Smethport, PA) because of IWS. 1) Understanding: Through bulletin inserts, newsletter articles, letters, one-on-one conversations and short term studies, the general knowledge about worship, its parts and flow has been improved. This is an ongoing effort because of new people and those that need a refresher. 2) Flow of the service: Although I am used to a four fold pattern, the parts of the worship service have been tweaked to achieve a different feel. We have moved the Passing of the Peace to after the message as a response and a preparation to the offering. Opening prayers now contain elements of confession and pardon as we prepare to hear the Word of God. 3) The sermon: The intent of my preaching has changed. I follow Bob Webber’s idea of telling God’s story, or at least a piece of the story, each Sunday. 4) Eucharist: Although the United Methodist Church, as a denomination, encourages Eucharist every Sunday, the church I service has it once a month and does not like to change. I could just do it every Sunday, but not every battle can be fought in every location. As a result of my work at IWS, I do insist on the Eucharist every Sunday during the Sundays of Easter. The mood of thankful joy has not yet been achieved. 5) Choir and special music: Worship music has always been a challenge. I do not always find an ideal place for these expressions. I have changed the label from anthems to titles that speak to the function they are exercising. This is a touchy point because the congregation likes the “performance” of the choir and special music. I want participation and not performance, but I have more to do in this area. James White said that the choir is to lead the congregation, but I am not sure this is happening.

Besides the ways worship has been changed in positive ways, I have been teaching one Continuing Education class each year for the local clergy. Last year I taught "The Dynamics of Worship." This past Spring I taught "Liturgical Theology: Why We Do What We Do When We Worship." It is my hope to continue to teach into retirement, which is coming in a year or so. In fact, teaching in retirement was the major reason to get a Doctorate in Worship Studies. [Bob George, D.W.S., Theta 2007].

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IWS totally changed my life! I had been in music ministry for 26 years. While I loved serving God through music and pastoral counseling, I frequently felt something was missing. The course The Sacred Actions and Ministries of Christian Worship taught by Carla Waterman and Reggie Kidd initiated a shift in my career focus. The ministries of healing and counseling became more and more important to my life and work. I resigned from my music ministry position at St. Peter’s United Methodist Church, in Wellington, Florida effective December 31, 2007 and went on extended leave of absence from pastoral appointment. In January 2008 I began working toward a Masters in Counseling Psychology through Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach. Being on leave of absence for the past year and a half also enabled me to be free in the daytime to care for my aging father until his eventual death this past May. I continue teaching private music lessons, and I’m also involved in many hours of counseling each week. I will graduate in 2010, and I plan to move to Houston, Texas to be closer to my children and grandchildren and to open a private practice and work toward licensure as a biblically-based marriage and family and mental health counselor/therapist. My involvement in IWS definitely helped give me the insight to discern a new divine calling on my life and the courage to follow God’s leading. [Meg Bellows, D.W.S., Delta 2004].

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When I heard about IWS, I thought the school had been designed specifically for me. I had a very solid biblical background through my undergraduate work and had a masters in music.  I hadn’t been in school in nearly twenty years but wanted to pursue further graduate study.  Seeking an MDiv degree was not viable given my family obligations, and I had no practical use for a doctorate in music. I will be eternally grateful for Bob’s radical vision for IWS. When I was nearing completion of the D.W.S. program I began to search for a new opening in worship ministry since my senior pastor’s retirement was on the horizon and new leadership would not be receptive to the insights that I had been gaining at IWS. A unique opportunity presented itself at Huntington University to design and teach a new major in worship leadership that would be a ministry degree program rather than part of the music department. I am now starting my fifth year and remind myself daily that I am privileged to do what I do. It is due to the reputation of Bob Webber and the strength of the Institute that Huntington University recognized my doctorate and invited me into their academic community. I am deeply grateful. [Bob Myers, D.W.S, Theta 2007].

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I often share with others the spiritual transformation that has been ignited in me since being part of the IWS community. For years I was looking for a post graduate experience but did not want a doctorate in music or education. I wanted to study something in ministry but did not want to be a pastor. I discovered IWS on the Internet and read about Robert Webber. I was impressed, so I emailed the school and Dr. Hart responded. I was concerned that this school had other minority students and whether or not the program would be relevant to the Black religious experience. I was not disappointed. My very first class with Eric Bolger hooked me. I love the Lord with all my heart, and the opportunity to learn more about the role of worship in spiritual formation was the answer to my search. I have been a minister of music for 30 years and did not realize how much I really did not know. The old adage that knowledge is power has truly manifested itself in this nurturing environment. This has been a life-altering experience for me, and church members have noticed and commented in positive ways. I serve as Special Assistant to the Senior Minister for Worship and Music at the Shiloh Baptist Church in Washington DC. I am more confident that my calling is divinely appointed. I teach my choirs from a more sound biblical and theological foundation. I assist in shaping the broader vision and mission of the church from a more spiritually informed perspective. If being a vessel of honor for God is your prayer, then you will not find a more anointed, enriching, spiritually deepening experience than IWS. I am a grateful and blessed disciple. Thank you IWS for being the conduit through which God is changing my life. [Thomas Tyler, M.W.S., Daleth 2008, D.W.S. candidate; pictured above during Practicum, June 2009]

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Thank you for the opportunity to share how IWS has affected my life and ministry. I teach at Nyack College, New York City, and I can truly say that the degree I completed at IWS has been helpful to me in every class I teach as well as in my own devotional life. What is more, the well-done worship sessions we so enjoyed together on campus provided me an ecumenical perspective which has enriched our entire Sacred Music program at Nyack. Continuing contact with our Kappa cohort and frequent contact with alumni continues to bless me. [Sue Talley, D.W.S., Kappa 2007]

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When I began studies at IWS in 2001 I was at a crossroads in ministry. I had been a worship leader for 30 years and was troubled by the thought of doing the same things the same way for another 20 years. IWS was a life changer. From my first class I felt a special bond of love and mutual encouragement with my fellow classmates that was deeper than I had experienced in the local church. It was living, biblical koinonia. My previous educational experiences had been limited to the Southern Baptist denomination, so the cross-denominational environment at IWS deeply enriched my walk with the Savior. Through IWS I have been stretched, challenged, inspired and motivated to worship God in Spirit and in truth, and to tell the grand story of God's salvation through Jesus Christ. IWS was the greatest educational and spiritual experience of my life. I fell in love with the Word of God during those years. So, after 24 years as Associate Pastor of Worship, my church called me as their Senior Pastor in 2007. I believe the growth and maturity in my spiritual life is a direct result of my years at IWS. I will be forever indebted to Bob Webber for his vision and passion for worship. I will be forever grateful for my professors who poured their lives into mine. May the favor of the Lord rest upon IWS. [Don Fugate, D.W.S., Delta 2004]

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When told of my intention to work toward a Doctor of Worship Studies degree, some of my music teacher colleagues asked why I wanted to pursue a doctorate. They correctly reasoned that I would not earn any more money, the degree would be expensive and very time-consuming, and I did not need another degree to do the work that I was doing. However, I felt that I was in a "rut" and needed fresh ideas and enthusiasm. The IWS classes were informative, enriching, and encouraging. The people I met and the friends I made are "priceless." Upon completion of the degree, I had an unexpected blessing: a call from Dr. Clay Linhdstam, Vice-President of Academic Affairs, at Trinity Baptist College in Jacksonville, FL. He gave me the opportunity that I had always hoped for—a chance to teach in a college setting. At first, I taught the college piano students; then class piano. Finally, another surprise: the music department head resigned and I now have the privilege of teaching not only piano, but also music history and literature, aural skills (part of music theory), and seminar in music education. I am beginning my 7th year as a college professor and absolutely love it! Without the IWS experience and degree I would not have been invited to be a part of Trinity College! I teach students who are studying for music ministry in churches, Christian schools, and on the mission field.  Praise the Lord! [Sandra Roberts, D.W.S., Beta 2003]

Alumni Event 2009 Reflections

IWS Holy Land Trip Scheduled

Sharon Kivell with the Lord