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Kenyon, who serves as a deacon in an Anglican church, says he often uses Webber's works, such as Worship as a Verb and Worship Old and New, in book studies. "These books have just been excellent," he said. "They're scholarly, but you don't have to have a master's degree from Notre Dame in liturgical history to get through them."

Webber also received praise for his work as editor of The Complete Library of Christian Worship, published in 1995, an eight-volume series created to serve as a comprehensive reference for professors, students, pastors, and worship leaders. The series draws on several thousand texts and publications and covers topics like Old and New Testament worship and contemporary applications for music and the arts.

Webber founded the Institute for Worship Studies in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1993, which offers doctor of worship studies and master's of worship studies degree programs. It is the only institute in the country to focus exclusively on worship education.

Charles Hambrick-Stowe, professor of Christian history, vice-president for academic affairs, and dean of Northern Seminary, says when they met three years ago, "Bob Webber struck me immediately as a person of deep faith, intellectual curiosity and depth, and spiritual vigor."

He says that Webber was a key faculty member during his seven years at Northern Seminary. "In faculty meetings, he would sit there silently, letting the discussion unfold, waiting until the right moment, and then he would say a word," Hambrick-Stowe said. "It was often humorous, but it was always right on point, and often just pointed us in the right direction, or clarified what the issue really was, so that we could move to a resolution."

Webber also had a keen sense of humor. Okholm recalls, "One day I came in on a real slushy Chicago winter day, and I said, 'Well, Bob, this is the day the Lord has made,' and Bob said, 'Yeah, but he's done better.'"

Many remember Webber for his gracious spirit. "He was very generous and very gracious in acknowledging people and letting others know how they'd helped him," Kenyon said.

Webber is survived by his wife, Joanne, four children, and seven grandchildren.

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Services will be held for Robert Webber in Oak Brook, Illinois, on Wednesday, May 16th 7:00 pm at Christ Church of Oak Brook, 31st & York Rd.; and also in Orange Park Florida, on Friday, June 15, 7:00 pm at Grace Episcopal Church, 151 Kingsley Ave.

The Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies, Northern Seminary, and AncientFutureWorship.com have more on Webber. Northern also hosts Webber's "Call to an Ancient Evangelical Future."

Christianity Today editor David Neff interviewed Webber in 2006 about the AEF Call.

CT briefly reviewed Ancient-Future Evangelism in 2004, briefly excerpted Ancient-Future Faith in 2000, and briefly profiled Webber's work on "blended worship" in 1997.

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April (Web-only) 2007, Vol. 51