Dear Alumni, Students, Faculty, Staff, Trustees and Friends of IWS,
Aristotle claimed that the supremely important activities are those which exist precisely for their own sake and not for a greater external end. The worship of God the Father through the Son in the Holy Spirit is, then, the most supremely important thing Christians do. Accordingly, the privilege of learning about worship to bring renewal to the Church around the globe is a most critical educational and missional endeavor.
Our record-breaking fiscal year marked the beginning of a year-long celebration of the 15th anniversary of the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies. We continue to fulfill the Lord’s mission and the vision of our founder Robert Webber as we form Christlike servant leaders in Christian worship renewal around the globe. We saw record attendance at this year’s two sessions—enrollment has increased over 23% in the past three years, and giving has increased more than 67% during the same period. Our reach continues to expand globally, as this past fiscal year we welcomed students from England and Nigeria (bringing the number of countries represented in the community to 24). At June’s graduation, 42 students received degrees and embraced the commission to serve the Kingdom of God through renewed worship. Thanks be to God for his abundant blessing made evident throughout the entire IWS community! The reputation and impact of IWS steadily grows worldwide while remaining rooted in the theological perspectives, relational sensibilities and pedagogical philosophy of its founder, Bob Webber.
Please take a moment to read in this report how our alumni are making an impact across the globe. The ongoing fulfillment of our mission is truly a team effort, a team that includes each of you. Many in the IWS community have taken their places in their support of our mission by investments of time, talent, treasure and prayer, and we are deeply grateful. We rely on your generosity toward God and your prayers to continue building the foundation we need for a secure future. Your gifts are wisely invested in our students and the mission of our beloved institute.
My wife, Carol, and I invite you to participate with us sacrificially and joyfully in this mission of spiritual transformation through renewed and enlivened worship. As Galatians 6:6 states: “One who is taught the Word must share all good things with the one who teaches.” IWS is good ground into which you may sow the seed of your spiritual and financial generosity toward God. Together let us all thankfully, joyfully and generously support the Lord’s work in the supremely important and Kingdom-building activity of worship renewal through IWS.
Grace and peace to you,
James R. Hart, President
Dear Friends,
As I reflect on the past year and the success we have enjoyed, I continue to see God’s blessing on the IWS ministry and mission. We enjoy strong enrollment and trusted friends who support our ministry with their time, talent, and treasure—gifts from God for sure!
At each Board of Trustees meeting, Dr. Hart has several students share with us how their studies at IWS are impacting their lives and ministries around the world. It is an excellent reminder of what IWS is all about—changing students’ lives and focus so they can serve God and his church more effectively through biblical worship.
I would be remiss if I did not comment on the loss of a good friend and strong supporter of IWS, David Witt. David’s untimely death left us stunned. David served on the President’s Advisory Council and the Board of Trustees. He brought wise counsel and a godly demeanor to IWS. He was also a very talented organist and played at our convocations and commencement. He will be missed.
I thank each of you who have supported our ministry here at IWS. Your gifts are having a worldwide impact as worship leaders are sent back to their home churches, applying what they have learned. IWS is truly having an impact on the lives of thousands of God’s children around the globe and you make that possible. Again, thanks be to God!
In His service,
John Lindsell, Chair, Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees of the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies is
D.W.S. Alumnus
D.W.S. Alumna
D.W.S. Student
D.W.S. Alumna + M.W.S. Faculty
M.W.S. Alumnus
M.W.S. Student
Thanks be to God for those who give of their prayers, time, talent, and treasure! We would be unable to continue in our mission without your generous giving.
Trustee David Witt died August 27, 2014. David was a strong supporter of IWS, serving as the vice chair of the Board of Trustees, chair of the Audit Committee, a member of the President’s Advisory Council for Excellence and as organist for the IWS convocations and commencements.
Having spent his career in upper management of IBM, David also served as an organist in churches throughout the country, most recently at Hayes Barton United Methodist Church. He consulted with numerous churches for organ renovation projects, including the IWS host campus Grace Episcopal Church.
He recently wrote,
“All liturgically valid forms of worship are held [at IWS], the singing is glorious, the preaching is by world-renowned ministers, and the students get to experience Ancient-Future worship in a magnificent space.…I can also say in my over 50 years as an almost full-time musician, the singing/music is God-centered and fabulous!”
Quite often David spoke of his sincere love and passion for the Lord’s mission at IWS, and he demonstrated that commitment through his leadership, his musical contributions, his generosity and his servant attitude. The entire IWS community will miss him dearly.
Tamara Albrecht (D.W.S. '13) died July 15, 2014. Tamara was a longtime instructor in the Department of Music at Emory University in Atlanta and served as organist and choirmaster for several Atlanta area churches, most recently at Emmanuel Lutheran Church. In her doctoral thesis, she developed a course of study to equip church musicians with conflict resolution skills, using biblical, historical, contemplative and social-scientific models for training church musicians to effectively respond to conflict situations. In her own words:
“This thesis would not have evolved without light and strength from God…[who] graciously led me to the Institute for Worship Studies, where faculty of the highest caliber led exceptional classes in worship and theological studies.…Treasured friends and family constantly encouraged my study and bolstered hope. May the peace, love, and grace of God abide in all of you. Deo Gratias.”
Chris Antill (D.W.S. '14) died November 12, 2013. Chris was the Director of Music and Worship at Fort Walton Beach First United Methodist Church in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, and had effectively served in church music and worship ministries for over 20 years. He was working on his thesis at the time of his death, and the faculty unanimously voted to award him the Doctor of Worship Studies degree posthumously. His wife, Pam, received it on his behalf at the June 2014 Commencement service. Just a few months prior to his unexpected death, Chris wrote:
“IWS has changed everything about who I am, how I worship, how I plan worship, and how I teach worship.…We are launching a brand new service at my church this Sunday that is going to be Ancient-Future/convergent. I have applied everything I have learned from you in ‘purposefully crafting the liturgy.…I just wanted to let you know that someone was paying attention and now implementing what was gleaned.”
Eric Ohlmann is appointed Academic Dean.
Christi Matteson joins the Administration as Controller.
For the 3rd consecutive year, IWS is chosen one of the top educational programs influencing Christian worship by Worship Leader Magazine. Regional alumni gatherings are held in Los Angeles and New York City. Self-Study for Reaffirmation of Accreditation is completed.
IWS holds its fourth annual Festival of Advent Lessons and Carols, an ecumenical service of scripture and music, in Orange Park, FL.
Reggie Kidd is ordained for ministry. IWS sets a January attendance record with 110 students on campus. Visting faculty member Dr. Dinelle Frankland (D.W.S., ’04) preaches at Opening Convocation. IWS also welcomes Dr. Donna Hawk-Reinhard as visiting faculty. More than 50 attend the worship seminar with Dr. John Witvliet. The Board appoints Yilee Lo (D.W.S., ’12) as Trustee, and formally approves the launch of the Global Renewal Of Worship Center.
Mark Murray and Jessica Coleman complete the Rollins College Philanthropy & Nonprofit Leadership Center course on Fundamentals of Successful Fundraising and Development through a grant from the Paul E. and Klare N. Reinhold Foundation. Interim Librarian Carol Sittema retires and IWS begins the search for a permanent Librarian. Mark Murray is ordained for ministry. IWS hosts the Dallas Christian College Choir on its 2014 Kingdom Week Spring Break Tour.
IWS sets an all-time attendance record with 111 students on campus. CDR Dennis Andrews, CHC, USN, preaches at Opening Convocation. ABHE visits to assess IWS for reaccreditation. More than 30 attend our worship seminar with Dr. Michael Hawn.
Forty-two M.W.S. and D.W.S. students graduate at the 13th Annual Commencement, bringing the total number of graduates to 413. Rev. Ted Schroder preaches at the festival Eucharistic service.
Restricted giving includes donations to the Scholarship, Endowment, and Library funds.
We cannot say it enough: the ongoing work of forming servant leaders in Christian worship renewal worldwide depends upon generous gifts from our community. Please consider how you may participate with us in the renewal of the Church through a financial contribution and click an option below.
Set up a recurring donation on your Visa or MasterCard. Customize frequency, commitment term length, and more.
Donate to the IWS Fund or Scholarship Fund today by Visa or MasterCard, or make a one-time gift by other means.
How much thought have you given to what is potentially the single-most generous give you'll make?
Donate by check (mailed to IWS, 151 Kingsley Ave, Orange Park, FL), cash (in the office only, please), or credit card (MasterCard or Visa by telephone at 800-282-2977 or online)
Automated monthly giving (by MasterCard or Visa, or through your own bank's online bill-pay feature)
Matching corporate gifts
Gifts of securities/stocks
Electronic transfer of funds
Planned (legacy) giving
Leader $10,000 & up
Benefactor $5,000–$9,999
Partner $2,500–$4,999
Investor $1,000–$2,499
Supporter $500–$999
Contributor $100–$499
Donor up to $100
We encourage the members of our community to employ long-term estate planning to maximize your legacy to your loved ones and to your charitable interests. We also strongly urge you to seriously consider IWS as one of your priority charitable interests. While the annual support of the IWS community is absolutely crucial to the fulfillment of our sustainable mission, deferred support like Estate Planning can leave a Kingdom legacy with an impact that spans multiple generations. This kind of gift is often the single most significant act of generosity toward God that most of us will ever perform.
For more information on this or any way of supporting IWS, call the office at 800-282-2977.
Set up a recurring donation on your Visa or MasterCard. Customize frequency, commitment term length, and more.
Donate to the IWS Fund or Scholarship Fund today by Visa or MasterCard, or make a one-time gift by other means.
How much thought have you given to what is potentially the single-most generous give you'll make?
