Worship Leader - March/April, 2008

Fiery Crucible Ignites Renewed Passion, Presence and Purpose at International Worship Institute

After over 21 years, t he committed focus on the Con-International Worship ductor, an absolute trust in Institute (IWI) passed Him, and the selflessness to through a severe crisis look beyond one’s personal in2007 when Founder ‘artistic expression.’” and President LaMar “Dying to ourselves”–– Boschman resigned including our art, gifts, skills, becauseofa moral breakdown. careers and agendas––is essen-But, as often happens, the tial to discovering the larger fiery crucible of adversity also purposes and rhythms of real brought renewal. In fact, the new president worship. of IWI, Steve Fry, sees the season of hard- For example, musicians in an orches-ship as essential to having a future. tra don’t give solo expression to their own

Steve recently wrote, “We live in such skill and artistry. Their participation in a a therapeutic age, that we tend to view symphonyrevealsyearsofadversity, testing everything from an individual perspective. and collective commitment to the larger And that has affected our faith and our sound. They didn’t purchase or download worship.” symphony; they were forged into it.

He went on to present the idea of The theme for the 2008 IWI is symphony as the contrast to individualism. “Embracing His Presence.” “We want “Symphony only comes about through a to get beyond ourselves and just stand

in His Presence,” says Fry. “That kind of posture causes us to forget agendas, commercial ventures, career and ministry promotion, and even the concerns about ‘making the budget.’”

“We only want Him. When we can be still and focused on His Presence, He will bring us into symphony in our relationships, activities and worship. That is a vision for IWI that is transportable back into your world.”

Steve and the leadership team for the 2008 IWI also decided to limit the gathering to the first 1,000 registrants, those who are very serious about His Presence.