Representatives of The Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies (IWS) and the Jacksonville campus of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary have together formed the first theological library cooperative agreement in northeast Florida, the Jacksonville Theological Library Consortium.

The two institutions offer graduate theological education in the Jacksonville, Florida area. The Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies (IWS) is a specialized school that offers graduate level degrees (Master of Worship Studies and Doctor of Worship Studies) in a specific church-related vocation--the leadership of Christian Worship. Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (GCTS), Jacksonville campus, also offers two graduate degrees (Master of Arts in Christian Leadership and Master of Divinity). Each school is developing library collections with the goal of providing a strong research foundation for students studying in their programs.

The Gordon-Conwell Jacksonville collection has strengths in Christian Leadership and in general works related to the Master of Divinity degree. As courses are offered in Jacksonville, the library staff adds key holdings to a collection that is nearly 10,000 volumes total. The Institute for Worship Studies collection focuses on the biblical, theological, and historical study of worship with over 9,000 volumes in its Orange Park location. Because the two institutions offer different but complementary courses of study, students from both will benefit by having access to each other's collection.

GCTS Senior Librarian Dr. Robert Mayer, commented, "Our partnership with the Institute of Worship Studies will allow us to serve churches and Christian organizations in the Jacksonville area with strong library resources focused on key aspects of Christian theology and ministry."

IWS President Dr. James Hart stated, "The library consortium between IWS and Gordon-Conwell represents an important and strategic step towards enriching the excellent higher education offerings in Northeast Florida with first-rate graduate theological resources."

Based in Orange Park, Florida, The Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies is the only graduate school in North America to focus exclusively on worship education for pastors, worship leaders, music ministers and other church leaders. It offers the Doctor of Worship Studies and the Masters of Worship Studies degree programs, using a unique mix of in-class instruction on its Florida campus and distance learning. Since its founding in 1999, more than 200 students from over 40 denominations in the U.S., Canada and numerous other countries have graduated from the IWS.

Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary is a multidenominational, multi-campus, evangelical graduate school dedicated to serving the Lord and his Church by preparing men and women for service as pastors, teachers, missionaries, evangelists and Christian leaders. The seminary offers degrees at the masters and doctoral levels and has gained an international reputation for leading faculty in the areas of Biblical Studies, Ministry and Theology.

IWS Library link