INDUSTRY INSIDER
INDUSTRY INSIDER.
Worship Leader is so pleased to interview Dr. James R. Hart, President of The Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies. Webber was an I W S
integral part of the early years of
Worship Leader magazine, and his wisdom continues to bless and inspire us in our mission.
WORSHIP LEADER (WL): On the website for Robert E. Webber Insti-
WL: Tell us a little about Webber’s legacy and how he is present
tute for Worship Studies (IWS), a brief descriptive statement of mission follows the institute’s name: “Forming Christian Leaders in Christian Worship Renewal.” How do you define or envision the words “Christian Worship” and “Christian Leaders”?
in the way worship is approached at IWS and ways IWS has grown and changed in the years since Webber graduated from earth to heaven.
IWS: St. Augustine famously wrote: “Thou hast made us for
thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in Thee.” Human beings are hard-wired for worship. Everyone worships someone or something, even the most Godless atheist! Christian worship brings about the reconciliation of us worshippers back to the One who made us and loves us. Then, once reconciled to God, we, the Mystical Body of Christ, the worshippers, are sent on mission to participate actively in God’s great reconciliation of the entire created order. That work is led by those who are formed in worship. As Bob Webber wrote, “Worship is the key to the renewal of the Church.” I would add, “And the Church is the key to the renewal of the world.”
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IWS: Bob Webber was a well-beloved historical theologian who
called the contemporary Church to rediscover its roots in the ancient Church, and to expand the Church’s often myopic tendencies to a much broader 2,000 (even 3,000) year view. His legacy can be summed up in the moniker he coined, “Ancient Future.” His moniker does not imply simply a narrow focus only on patristics, nor an equally narrow focus only on contemporary Christianity, but rather seeing the development of doctrine and practice through the lens of Christian worship as the repository of the Christian faith over 2,000 years. IWS has continued to grow in this ancient future vision, expanding its understanding of the metaphysical foundations of Christian worship through theological, biblical, historical, cultural, ecclesiological, philosophical and missiological reflection and practice.
