About Us
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions
Who is the Brehm Center named for?
Why is Fuller interested in the arts?
What do the arts contribute to worship and the church?
What are the specific programs of the center?
Does the Brehm Center grant degrees?
How is the Brehm Center funded?
Where is the Brehm Center located?
Where can I go to get information about upcoming events?
Is there a Brehm Center gallery?
Answers
What is the Brehm Center?
The Brehm Center for Worship, Theology, and the Arts - a division of Fuller Theological Seminary - was founded in 2001 with the mission to revitalize the church through the arts. We strive to be an innovative space for the creative integration of worship, theology, and the arts in culture. This mission is part of Fuller's larger commitment to equip men and women for the manifold ministry of Christ and his Church.
We pursue our mission by promoting degree programs and courses that investigate the theory and practice of artistic ministry; by fostering creativity and creative events on campus and in the community; by offering educational opportunities to church leaders; and by engaging expert faculty, visiting scholars, and world-class artists.
Who is the Brehm Center named for?
The center is named after William K. and Delores S. Brehm, the founding sponsors. Bill Brehm has served on Fuller's Board of Trustees since 1983, including a term as board chair from 1994 - 1997. Among his many gifts, Bill is a talented pianist and composer. In seeking to enrich the worship experience at Fuller, the Brehms continue to be enthusiastic supporters of the seminary's focus on worship, theology, and the arts.
Why is Fuller interested in the arts?
The Brehm Center and Fuller Theological Seminary seek to reclaim the church's profound artistic heritage. God is the original artist, the first Creator. He created ‘ex nihilo', out of nothing. God endows each of us with creative gifts and resources to express our humanity and praise for Him.
What do the arts contribute to worship and the church?
The visual, performing, and literary arts offer ways to celebrate and encounter the Divine, moving us beyond the familiar. From the extensive attention to detail in the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem to the joy and pain expressed in the Psalms, people have always used imagery, song, and various art forms in their worship of God. The Brehm Center encourages theological reflection, creativity, diversity, and beauty in the revitalization of worship.
What are the specific programs of the center?
The Brehm Center helps develop and fund academic degrees and concentrations that relate to worship and the arts in coordination with the schools at Fuller Theological Seminary:
School of Theology
- MA in Theology: Theology and Arts Format
- MA in Worship, Theology, and the Arts
- MA in Worship and Music Ministry
- MDiv with a concentration in Worship, Theology, and the Arts
- MDiv with a concentration in Worship and Music Ministry
- ThM in Theology with a concentration in Theology and Culture, or Worship and Culture
- PhD in Theology with a concentration in Theology and Culture, or Worship and Culture
School of Intercultural Studies
- MA in Intercultural Studies, concentration in Global Christian Worship
- MA in Crosscultural Studies, concentration in Global Christian Worship
The Brehm Center also has five distinctive institutes:
- Fred Bock Institute for Music
- Reel Spirituality: An Institute for Moving Images
- Visual Faith: An Institute of Art and Architecture
- Lloyd John Ogilvie Institute for Preaching
- The Church and Contemporary Culture
The center and its institutes sponsor research, community outreach, education and a wide array of initiatives such as the Global Christian Worship Initiative, arts education for community youth, the Fuller Worship Center Project, and the Psychological Study of Spiritual Transformation in Worship Initiative. Scholars, artists and students gather in this cross-disciplinary environment to investigate the connections between worship, theology, and the arts.
Does the Brehm Center confer degrees?
No, all degrees are granted by Fuller Seminary. The Brehm Center collaborates with Fuller's graduate schools of Intercultural Studies, Psychology, and Theology to develop curricula that relate to worship, theology, and the arts. The Brehm Center offers special advising to prospective and current students enrolled in worship, theology, and the arts-related degrees.
How is the Brehm Center funded?
The generous gifts of William F. and Delores S. Brehm established the center's endowment and its continuing growth. The Brehm Center uses its financial resources to develop courses, degree programs, and events, but draws no income from tuition or student fees. As part of Fuller Theological Seminary, we are a non-profit educational center.
Where is the Brehm Center located?
We are currently housed in Grosse Hall next door to the Catalyst.
Where can I go to get information about upcoming events?
Event notifications and news items are posted weekly for members of the public at www.brehmcenter.com. Fuller students can additionally check our kiosk in the Garth and Portico. Give us your contact info and we will keep in touch via e-mail and US Post.
How can I get involved?
Visit or contact the Brehm Center if you are interested in volunteering or attending any event.
Who can get involved?
We want to involve the entire community in our events. Unless otherwise stated, Brehm Center events and activities are open to students, employees, faculty, alumni/ae, family members, and the general public. If you have a talent or skill, please let us know who you are!
Is there a Brehm Center gallery?
We do not yet offer permanent gallery space. We do, however, co-host Fuller's annual Arts Festival each Spring at which a temporary gallery is set up. Additionally, we occasionally partner with our neighbor the Pasadena Museum of California Art where we host periodic exhibitions.
