SAWYER, Mich. (ABP) — Robert Webber, one of the most influential figures in Christian worship during the last half century, died April 27 of pancreatic cancer in his Sawyer, Mich., home. He was 73.
The author of more than 40 books on worship, Webber was best known in recent years for his emphasis on “ancient-future worship” — an effort to infuse contemporary and emergent worship with the liturgical practices of the pre-modern church.
Webber was professor of ministry at Northern Seminary in Lombard, Ill., and president of the Institute for Worship Studies in Jacksonville, Fla., which he founded. Before going to Northern, he was a professor of theology at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Ill., for 32 years.
Although best known in evangelical circles, Webber's experience and influence spanned the spectrum of Christian traditions. More than 30,000 people attended his worship workshops.
Born in the Congo to Baptist missionary parents, Webber received his bachelor's degree from ultraconservative Bob Jones University in 1956. He earned a divinity degree from Reformed Episcopal Seminary in 1959 and a masters degree in theology from Covenant Theological Seminary in 1960. He held a doctoral degree in theology from Concordia Theological Seminary.
Among his books are Worship Old and New, The Complete Library of Christian Worship, Ancient-Future Faith and The Younger Evangelicals. In the 1985 book Evangelicals on the Canterbury Trail, Webber described his own gradual shift from his fundamentalist roots to the Anglican tradition.
He was a regular columnist for Worship Leader magazine and was on the advisory board of FaithWorks magazine, published by Associated Baptist Press.
“Bob Webber significantly influenced many in our generation with the understanding that worship is the key to the renewal of the church,” said James Hart, provost and president-elect of the Institute for Worship Studies, which now bears Webber's name. “We mourn the loss of our friend and mentor, but rejoice with him in worshiping the risen Christ.”
“He was one of my heroes and he will be missed,” said Southern Baptist composer and denominational leader Bob Burroughs of Greer, S.C. “Bob Webber was a living, breathing icon for worship changes in churches of all denominations. He was in the forefront leading us to consider coming carefully into the 21st century with our worship styles to meet the needs of today's generation, as well as holding on to important worship trends of the past and present. His degree program has changed literally hundreds of lives and as a result, churches that allowed their minister of music to get an advanced degree from Webber's school are enjoying the fruits of transition without the baggage of controversy.”
“Robert Webber helped evangelicals rediscover the missing jewel of worship,” said David Dockery, president of Baptist-affiliated Union University. “His many publications enabled an entire generation to understand how the church has carried out the worship of God throughout history. Whether liturgical, free church or charismatic, Robert Webber influenced all aspects of Christianity. We give thanks for his life and ministry.”
“Without any doubt Robert Webber has impacted the theology and practice of Christian worship especially among evangelicals,” said Roger Olsen, theology professsor at Baylor's Truett Theological Seminary. “I continue to meet many evangelicals who joined him and others on the 'Canterbury Trail' toward liturgical worship. Robert's contribution to evangelicalism will have a lasting impact for many years to come.”
Webber leaves behind a wife, Joanne, and four children and seven grandchildren.
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