The following is part of the president of the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies, Dr. Jim Hart’s letter to the students.
“Today, February 17, the Commission on Accreditation of the Association for Biblical Higher Education passed a motion granting the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies full accreditation!
Here is portion of my comments to the commission:
“As we have journeyed through the accreditation process, the leaders in the IWS community, and especially Bob Webber, have consistently stated that achieving accreditation is one of our highest prioritized goals. Although we had some fear that this process may attempt to change the ethos of IWS, we have discovered instead that ABHE has come alongside us to help us be a better school and to reach toward our greatest potential. Perhaps more importantly, it has supported and even advocated for our mission of forming leaders in worship renewal, so we can maximize our impact for the Kingdom. We have come to the realization that accreditation is really not a goal, but rather a threshold on a trek of ongoing institutional improvement, the relentless pursuit of excellence, and the partnering together with other schools of Biblical higher education with the common purpose of forming our students to impact the world with God’s story of redemption in Jesus Christ. I am deeply thankful for this association, which unites us together under that Kingdom mandate.
“Since the death of Bob Webber two years ago we have honored his legacy by continuing to make significant strides at IWS. . . . Bob’s genius in establishing an educational community that is intentionally simple, servant-oriented, sacrificial, and spiritual, yet committed to excellence, has secured a legacy for worship education and renewal that has exceeded expectations and has shown evidence of the Lord’s leading and blessing.
“Our association with ABHE has helped to make the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies a better school, and for that we are very grateful.”
Dr. Eric Ohlmann, Director of Strategic Planning and Accreditation, Dr. Eric Bolger, Academic Dean, and Dr. Luder Whitlock, Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees attended the meeting with me and helped to field question from the commission. After the questions we were excused while a motion was made, discussed and passed. We were invited back into the commission meeting and were informed that we had been approved for full accreditation.
I want to express my deepest appreciation to Dr. Ohlmann and Dr. Bolger who have both contributed invaluably to the accreditation process, to Dr. Whitlock, Dr. John Lindsell and the entire board of trustees for their support, leadership and hard work in this pursuit, to the superb faculty and staff for their tireless efforts and commitment, and for the prayers, support and input of our stellar alumni and students.
I want also to thank ABHE for their encouragement, support and advice in our pursuit of accreditation. In particular, I want to acknowledge Dr. Ralph Enlow, Dr. Randy Bell , Dr. Larry McKinney and Dr. Tony Buchanan, along with many others in ABHE for starting IWS down this road, for standing alongside us, for encouraging us and advising us, and for partnering with us to advance the Kingdom through worship renewal in the context of Biblical higher education.
Thanks be to God.
The Lord be with you,
James R. Hart, President”
Tags: ABHE, Institute for Worship Studies, Robbert Webber, Worship
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