Brehm Center

“There is intense debate surrounding corporate worship today…What vision do I bring to Fuller, and the field of liturgical theology, as I occupy this new chair?” These were the words of Todd Johnson in his address at a special service Tuesday, May 22, celebrating his installation as the new William K. and Delores S. Brehm Associate Professor of Worship, Theology, and the Arts at Fuller. The installation service was held at Pasadena Presbyterian Church.

Certain inherent challenges come with the academic study of free church worship, said Johnson in his talk, entitled “Liturgical Links: Towards a Liturgical Theology of Free Church Worship.” Yet at its foundation, essential to the study of worship is a recognition of “the dynamic, reciprocal relationship between faith and prayer,” he claimed, referring to the writings of liturgical theologian Edward Kilmartin. Three links are implied by this reciprocal relationship, Johnson said, which will help define the approach he brings to his work in the new Brehm Chair.

First is the link of congruence between belief and prayer, said Johnson: “The task of liturgical theology is to bring the two, liturgy and faith, into compatibility.” Second is the link between the story of God and the story of people: “The worship of God,” he stressed, “begins with telling the story of God’s work in the world”—calling for worship services with a narrative quality, where the reading of Scripture is a non-negotiable, and where congregants are invited to place their individuals stories within the context of God’s story. Third, Johnson said, is a reflection of the life of Christ and the life of his disciples: “We must present ourselves as living sacrifices” in worship as in the whole of our lives as believers, he maintained. “Liturgy must invite people to affirm their baptismal pledge of a life of sacrifice to God.”

The installation service also included welcoming comments from President Richard J. Mouw, and two choral anthems performed by the Fuller Vocal Ensemble: “Nothing on Earth,” composed by William K. Brehm, and “Wondrous Light of Heaven,” composed by Edwin M. Willmington.

The “Charge to Candidate” was given by Provost Sherwood Lingenfelter: “I charge you as the Lord charged Peter: Feed our lambs,” he said to Johnson. “I charge you to help our graduates integrate the theory of worship from the classroom with the practice of worship in our churches.”

Before joining Fuller, Johnson served on the faculties of North Park Theological Seminary and Loyola University. He holds an MDiv from North Park Theological Seminary and an MA and PhD in Liturgical Theology from the University of Notre Dame.