Brehm Center | Fuller Seminary

The Brehm Center

Integrating worship, theology, and the arts for the renewal of church and culture

Moving the worship and arts conversation from research to resources to real life, our center exists to equip artist and ministry leaders for a changing culture, whether in the classroom, the studio, or the pulpit. We offer events, resources, and cohorts in our three locations as well as online.

Brehm Integrations

Go Behind the Scenes of our Work Integrating Worship, Theology, and the Arts

Our blog features content from Brehm faculty and staff as well as from students, artists, and ministry leaders who are actively integrating worship, theology, and the arts.

Call for Applications: The Resilient Artist Project

January 25, 2022

Embrace Your Creative Work with Courage The goal of The Resilient Artist Project is to create a space where psychological health is nurtured... Read More
When Churches and Artists Come Together During a Pandemic

August 11, 2021

One intention of the Brehm Residency is for artists and churches to learn and reflect on the nature of the arts and faith in a deep and embo... Read More
Worship, Preaching, and Justice

April 20, 2021

The above art by John August Swanson has served as a visual representation of the vision of Brehm Preaching—A Lloyd John Ogilvie Initiativ... Read More

Brehm for Ministry Leaders

The Brehm Center was founded to help ministry leaders consider and experience how the arts might shape their ministry practices in creative and theologically informed ways. Explore our programs and resources specially designed to equip pastors and ministry leaders in this unprecedented season of ministry.

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Brehm for Artists

We believe that artists can be voices in the wilderness of our culture. Our team is passionate about supporting artists’ creative, vocational, and spiritual formation, as well as equipping artists to serve well in both church and culture. Learn more about our cohorts and resources supporting artist community and development.

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Brehm for Students

Do you want to go deeper in your understanding of worship, theology, and the arts? With a renowned faculty specializing in liturgical theology, arts, and culture, we offer both degreed and non-degreed opportunities to explore this generative intersection. Learn more about joining our learning community.

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Founders and History

Founded in 2001 and named after Fuller Seminary Board of Trustee members William and Delores Brehm, the Brehm Center’s mission is to integrate worship, theology, and the arts for the renewal of church and culture. The original Brehm Charter states, “We believe that God is the original artist, the first Creator. By engaging expert faculty, world-class artists, and visiting scholars to investigate the theory and practice of making art in ministry, we hope to inspire a new generation of thoughtful, creative, and culturally engaged leaders that can wisely speak into the church as well as beyond its walls.” Read more below for a timeline of Brehm history.

Key Events in Brehm Center History

September 11–15, 2000 “Reel Spirituality: Cinematic Wisdom and the Book of Ecclesiastes,” Peterhouse Theater, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, England (part of “Sounding the Depths: An International Festival of the Arts”).

Fall 2001 Fuller’s Theology News & Notes issue had as its theme “Art for Faith’s Sake.” The integrator of the issue was Clayton Schmit (Brehm’s Academic Program Director) and the magazine’s articles were authored largely by the Brehm Center Steering Committee.

2001, Founding of the Brehm Center with a generous gift from William and Delores Brehm

2001, Founding of the Visual Faith Initiative and incorporation of Reel Spirituality into the Brehm Center

April 14, 2002 Service of Worship and Dedication, Brehm Center for Worship, Theology, and the Arts, Pasadena Presbyterian Church. Music by the Fuller Vocal Ensemble, mime by Todd Farley, moving images curated by Craig Detweiler and Garrett Lambert, solo by Christopher Holloway, and sermon by Clayton Schmit

2005, Brehm Chair and Director of Bock Institute hired

Spring 2005 Fuller’s Theology News & Notes devoted its entire issue to “Re-Visioning Theology and Film.” The contributors were chosen from those who participated in a two-year consultation funded by a grant from the Luce Foundation. Professor Robert K. Johnston was the lead investigator.

Spring 2006, Symposium on Seminary Chapel Results in book Common Worship in Theological Education, Johnson and Garrigan, eds.

2007, Brehm Chair Installed

Fall 2007, Ogilvie Chair Installed

Spring 2009, staged Man of La Mancha at La Cañada Presbyterian Church, Long Beach Playhouse

November 2009, The Brehm Lectures featured the premier performance of Jubilate!, an Ancient-Future Concert Mass composed for the occasion by Ed Willmington, Director of the Fred Bock Institute of Music. The mass featured pre-recorded sounds in addition to the Fuller Vocal Ensemble and instrumental ensemble. https://jubalhouse.bandcamp.com/album/jubilate-an-ancient-future-concert-mass

Fall 2010, Brehm Lectures: John August Swanson and Robin Jensen

October, 2010, Reel Spirituality Screening: Secret Sunshine (U.S. debut)

2010, Opening and Closing Worship Design and Leadership at the 3rd Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization in Cape Town, South Africa,

April 2011 Reel Spirituality Conference, “Death of the Critic.” Speakers included critics Mark Pinsky, Elvis Mitchell, Claudia Puig, Justin Chang, Jeffrey Overstreet, and Gareth Higgins.

Fall 2011, Brehm Lectures: Mako Fujimura and Ellen Davis

Spring 2012, Brehm 10th Anniversary Celebration

Fall 2012, Brehm Lectures Eugene Lowry and Bobette Buster

2012–2015, 2017, Festival of Worship at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, featuring significant composers and conductors, such as composer John Rutter, Mack Wilberg (Mormon Tabernacle Choir), Tim Sharp (Executive Director of American Choral Directors Association), composer and conductor pair Rosephanye and William Powell, composer Mark Hayes, and composer Craig Courtney

November, 2014, Reel Spirituality Screening: The Tree of Life with Justin Chang

January 2017, Reel Spirituality Film Screening: Silence with Martin Scorcese

February 2018, “Consolation for the Suffering”: The Fred Bock Institute of Music/Brehm Center hosted two concert performances of Consolation for the Suffering, a full-length work for choir and orchestra. The work was composed and conducted by Bock Institute Director Ed Willmington for the purpose of raising awareness of Christian persecution in the world. An expanded requiem in format, the concert told actual stories of persecution, and the music provided moments for reflection and response. Between the two concerts, more than 2,000 people attended and $6,000 was raised and donated to three organizations with direct ministry to those who are persecuted for their faith.
https://jubalhouse.bandcamp.com/album/consolation-for-the-suffering

April 2019, Reel Spirituality Film Screening: First Reformed with Paul Schrader

October 2019, Reel Spirituality Film Screening: Sinister with Scott Derrickson