Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies News

ORANGE PARK, Fla– Representatives of The Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies (IWS) and the Jacksonville campus of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary have together formed the first theological library cooperative agreement in northeast Florida, the Jacksonville Theological Library Consortium.

The two institutions offer graduate theological education in the Jacksonville, Florida area. The Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies (IWS) is a specialized school that offers graduate level degrees (Master of Worship Studies and Doctor of Worship Studies) in a specific church-related vocation—the leadership of Christian Worship. Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (GCTS), Jacksonville campus, also offers two graduate degrees (Master of Arts in Christian Leadership and Master of Divinity). Each school is developing library collections with the goal of providing a strong research foundation for students studying in their programs.

The Gordon-Conwell Jacksonville collection has strengths in Christian Leadership and in general works related to the Master of Divinity degree. As courses are offered in Jacksonville, the library staff adds key holdings to a collection that is nearly 10,000 volumes total. The Institute for Worship Studies collection focuses on the biblical, theological, and historical study of worship with over 9,000 volumes in its Orange Park location. Because the two institutions offer different but complementary courses of study, students from both will benefit by having access to each other’s collection.

GCTS Senior Librarian Dr. Robert Mayer, commented, “Our partnership with the Institute of Worship Studies will allow us to serve churches and Christian organizations in the Jacksonville area with strong library resources focused on key aspects of Christian theology and ministry.”

IWS President Dr. James Hart stated, “The library consortium between IWS and Gordon-Conwell represents an important and strategic step towards enriching the excellent higher education offerings in Northeast Florida with first-rate graduate theological resources.”

Based in Orange Park, Florida, The Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies is the only graduate school in North America to focus exclusively on worship education for pastors, worship leaders, music ministers and other church leaders. It offers the Doctor of Worship Studies and the Masters of Worship Studies degree programs, using a unique mix of in-class instruction on its Florida campus and distance learning. Since its founding in 1999, more than 200 students from over 40 denominations in the U.S., Canada and numerous other countries have graduated from the IWS.

Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary is a multidenominational, multi-campus, evangelical graduate school dedicated to serving the Lord and his Church by preparing men and women for service as pastors, teachers, missionaries, evangelists and Christian leaders. The seminary offers degrees at the masters and doctoral levels and has gained an international reputation for leading faculty in the areas of Biblical Studies, Ministry and Theology.

For more information about the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies, log on to www.iwsfla.org. For more information about Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Jacksonville, log on to www.gordonconwell.edu/jacksonville.

May 15, 2008

BRENNEMAN RECEIVES WORSHIP INSTITUTE'S FIRST AWARD

HUNTINGTON, IN—The Robert E. Webber Institute of Worship Studies has given its first Award of Distinction in Christian Worship to Kyle Brenneman, a senior worship leadership major from Huntington University in Huntington, Ind.

The award, earned by Brenneman for the quality of his scholarship, leadership and diligence, includes a $1,000 scholarship to continue his studies at the institute. The scholarship is renewable each semester. To be eligible for the award, recipients must have a minimum grade point average of 3.5.

Brenneman, of Spencerville, Ohio, 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, Wis.

“Kyle Brenneman has been an exceptional leader, scholar and servant,” said Dr. Bob Myers, assistant professor of worship leadership and an alumnus of the Webber Institute for Worship Studies. “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.”

Based in Orange Park, Fla., the Robert E. Webber Institute of Worship Studies offers graduatel degree programs in worship studies, giving students the opportunity to go into greater depth in the biblical, theological, historical, sociological and missiological reflection in Christian worship. It is the only institute in North America to focus exclusively on worship education. It offers the Doctor of Worship Studies and the Masters of Worship Studies degree programs, using a unique mix of in-class instruction on its Florida campus and distance learning. Since its founding in 1998, 200 students from over 35 denominations in the U.S., Canada and eight other countries have graduated from the Institute for Worship Studies.

For more information about the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies, log on to www.iwsfla.org/.

For more information about Huntington University’s program in worship leadership, log on to www.huntington.edu/worship.

Huntington University is a comprehensive Christian college of the liberal arts offering graduate and undergraduate programs in more than 70 academic concentrations. U.S.News & World Report ranks Huntington among the Best Baccalaureate Colleges and Best Values in Baccalaureate Colleges in the Midwest region. Founded in 1897 by the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, Huntington University is located on a contemporary, lakeside campus in northeast Indiana. The University is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU).

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February 25, 2008

ROBERT E. WEBBER INSTITUTE FOR WORSHIP STUDIES ACHIEVES PRE-ACCREDITATION STATUS

Candidate Status Granted by Association for Biblical Higher Education

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Robert E. Webber Institute forWorship Studies(IWS) has been granted Candidate Status by the the Commission on Accreditation of the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE).

In granting the Status at its February 19 meeting, the Commission commended the Institute for its “progress and innovation.”

“This is a significant and critical step for the Institute," says IWS President Dr. James R. Hart. "It represents an outside independent organization’s affirmation of the quality of an IWS education, and its integrity in carrying out its mission and goals."

Candidate Status grants the Institute membership in the association, and also provides pre-accredited status. Pre-accredited status is granted by the ABHE to institutions that meet its Conditions of Eligibility, and provide a basis for achieving accreditation status within four years.

The late Robert Webber, a well-known Evangelical theologian founded the Institute in 1998 in Jacksonville, Florida with the purpose of training leaders in the biblical, theological and historical foundations of Christian worship. The Institute began the accreditation process in 2005 and will be continuing its work toward initial accreditation.

"Achieving this step was a high priority for Robert Webber," says Hart of the Institute's late founder. "From the beginning days of IWS it was his dream for this kind of education in the area of worship to be accredited. ABHE has provided a supportive and focused accreditation process that helps IWS maximize its impact for the Kingdom of God.”

The Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies is the only institute in North America to focus exclusively on worship education. It offers the Doctor of Worship Studies and the Masters of Worship Studies degree programs, using a unique mix of in-class instruction on its Florida campus and distance learning. Since its founding in 1998, 161 students from over 30 denominations in the U.S., Canada and five other countries have graduated from the Institute for Worship Studies. In its recent January session, the Institute enjoyed the largest incoming class enrollment in its history.

The ABHE is an agency comprised of approximately 200 postsecondary institutions throughout North America specializing in biblical ministry formation and professional leadership education. It is an officially recognized national accrediting association by the U.S. Department of Education and is an officially recognized faith-based accrediting agency by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. ABHE is also part of a global network that relates to regional or continental higher educational agencies through the International Council for Evangelical Theological Education.

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