The Unlikely Missionary

From CB:

I recently learned that a wonderful scholar and churchman died last week, Dr. Robert Webber. I got to know Dr. Webber briefly during my time at Wheaton College. He was known affectionately as “Book of the Month Club Bob” because he seemed to be writing one book a month. He wrote the very popular Evangelicals on the Canterbury Trail: Why Evangelicals Are Attracted to the Liturgical Church and our conversations centered upon the struggle between a call to ministry and to academia. His words were always warm, encouraging, and brought me great strength in a difficult time. I never knew him well, but I will always thank God for him.

“May light perpetual shine upon him.”

A more complete obituary is at
Wheaton College:

Memorial services planned for Dr. Robert E. Webber

After an eight month battle with pancreatic cancer, Professor Emeritus Dr. Robert E. Webber (73) went to be with the Lord Friday, April 27, 2007. Dr. Webber, known as Bob, died at his home in Sawyer, Michigan, in the arms of his wife and faithful companion, Joanne.

Dr. Webber spent 32 years as Professor of Theology at Wheaton College, before moving on to Northern Seminary. He authored more than 40 books on worship and the Church, as well as contributing to magazines, journals, newspapers and radio shows.

Bob is being cremated, and his family will inter his ashes in a private ceremony.

Before his death, Bob carefully planned his memorial services, one for each of his earthly homes. The first will be a private memorial for the Webber family, Bob’s caregivers, the Bethany Beach community, and invited friends in Michigan.

The second service will be 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 16 at Christ Church in Oak Brook, Illinois. The Wheaton College family, Northern Seminary family, and friends in the area are invited to attend.

The final service will be at Grace Episcopal Church in Orange Park, Florida, the site of the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies. The memorial begins at 7 p.m., Friday, June 15.

All three services will include the same scriptures, songs and communion if possible, and will follow the ancient-future format Bob made his life’s work.

In lieu of flowers, donations be made to:
The Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies
Endowment Fund
151 Kingsley Highway
Orange Park, Florida 32073

or

The Robert E. Webber Center for Ancient Evangelical Future
Northern Seminary
660 East Butterfield Road
Lombard, Illinois 60148

“Christ is risen, He is risen indeed. Hallelujah.”