HIGHER EDUCATION
TO BE , OR NOT TO BE … A STUDENT ? – PART 3 | Alex MacDougall
With so many educational opportunities out there in pursuit of worship excellence , I thought I might write a short bit about two of them advertising this month in Worship Musician . The Robert E . Webber Institute for Christian Studies ( IWS ) and Visible Music College ( VMC ) are highly distinctive from each other , and both have great callings and visions , are accredited , and qualify highly astute and brilliant graduates . Dr . James Hart serves as President of IWS , and Dr . Ken Steorts serves as President of VMC . I ’ ve asked them both 4 identical questions . Please enjoy their comments and their advertisements accompanying this article . I hope you find them helpful in your decision making .
I ’ ll start with Jim .
[ WM ] Please tell us about yourself and The Robert E . Webber Institute for Worship Studies ?
[ Jim ] My degrees are in sacred music ( undergraduate ) trumpet performance ( masters ) and worship studies ( doctorate ). I have served in worship leadership full-time and part-time for 40 years , as a music minister , orchestra director / arranger , worship leader and choir director . I have worked with IWS from the very beginning , first as a student and Dean of Students , then after graduation as the Dean of Administration , and in 2007 as President upon the death of our founder , Robert E . Webber . Upon Dr . Webber ’ s death , we added his name to the institute ’ s public name in honor of his great legacy . ( I also play trumpet professionally on the side .)
Dr . James Hart photo by Laureen Burke
[ WM ] How would you describe the environment and opportunities at IWS ?
[ Jim ] The Robert E . Webber Institute for Worship Studies ( IWS ) offers the highest quality graduate education in the biblical , theological , historical , cultural and missional foundations of