Convocational ceremonies at The Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies have the primary purpose of beginning the intensive sessions in January and June. IWS founder, Bob Webber, wanted IWS gatherings to be set in the context of worship, specifically centered around the proclamation of the Word and the celebration of the historic Euchastirict liturgy. In the context of an academic convocation, this is a formal ceremony that involves academic rituals and regalia.
The convocational ceremonies at IWS embody a blend of historical and biblically rooted liturgical structure and multiple musical/artistic styles of worship expression and conforms to the four-fold order of worship: 1) God gathers us for reconciliation, transformation, and sustenance; 2)
God speaks to us through the Scriptures proclaimed and professed; 3) God invites us to participate
in the heavenly banquet of thanksgiving; and 4) God sends us on mission to love the world an
declare its true eternal story.
The convocational service is not meant to model an exact style of worship for IWS students to emulate within their own congregations and contexts, but rather enhance the overall academic and worship understanding that students experience during the intensive week on campus.