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Fuller and the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies Collaborate to Advance Worship Education

Initial Publication November 4, 2025/

Fuller Seminary and the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies (IWS) are collaborating to strengthen the formation of leaders in Christian worship renewal and education. As IWS has announced its transition to conclude operations as an independent higher education institution, Fuller and IWS are creating a path toward continuing and advancing worship renewal for the church—through graduate Christian education that is biblical, theological, missiological, historical, and formational.

Dr. Jeffrey F. Keuss, dean of Fuller’s School of Mission and Theology, said, “How we worship as a global, evangelical, multi-denominational church has always been the mission of Fuller Seminary. We rejoice to continue this work, as the legacy of the IWS contributes to the preparation of ministers and theologians for the manifold work of the gospel.”

Founded in 1999, IWS has equipped servant leaders in Christian worship through its Master of Worship Studies and Doctor of Worship Studies degrees, offered in a hybrid learning format; the school’s community of trustees, faculty, staff, and students have hailed from various contexts and Christian traditions. Fuller looks forward to stewarding the vision and impact of IWS’s programs in alignment with Fuller’s own identity as an evangelical, multidenominational, multiethnic, and international seminary with a mission for equipping leaders to bring Christ’s hope and healing to the church and world. In the midst of rapid changes and challenges in the present landscape of Christian higher education, Fuller and IWS are grateful and excited to demonstrate such faithful companionship in service to the church.

“Worship is central in the life of disciples of Jesus and Christian churches,” said Fuller President David Emmanuel Goatley. “Encountering the living God in spirit and truth is integral to discipleship formation, fellowship and community, evangelism and service, and more. Because of mutual commitments of the essential nature of worship and the need for continual formation for those whose vocation is worship leadership, I am thrilled with this opportunity to support the shared commitment of Fuller Seminary and IWS for the equipping of robust worship leaders for the church.”