Constance Cherry

Rev. Dr. Constance Cherry is an experienced professor, worship leader, musician, and pastor, having served in local church ministry and academic teaching positions for more than thirty years. While a young woman she received a life-time vocational call to serve Christ through serving his Church. For many years she served as a full-time minister of music in large churches where she directed multiple types of choral groups and instrumental ensembles, prepared worship services, and provided leadership for the many dimensions of the multi-faceted church music program. Her undergraduate degree in music (Huntington University) and her Master of Music degree (Bowling Green State University) prepared her well for the musical expertise required of such positions.

A growing interest in formal worship studies drew her eventually to pursue doctoral studies at Northern Baptist Theological Seminary (Chicago area). There she studied with Robert E. Webber who was not only Constance’s professor but also the supervisor for her doctoral thesis, “Discovering Your Vision for Worship: Teaching Worship in an Interdenominational Seminary Setting.” (see www.tren.com). As a result, her vocational call to ministry expanded into teaching seminary full-time at Winebrenner Theological Seminary, Findlay, Ohio, and serving congregations as pastor. Constance is ordained in the United Methodist Church.

Today Constance is Professor of Worship and Pastoral Ministry at Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion, Indiana where she directs the major in Christian Worship. Since 2000 she has served on the faculty of The Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies located in Jacksonville, Florida, traveling twice yearly to teach in the doctoral program of IWS. In addition, she teaches worship at institutions of higher education in several countries, most recently in the Master’s program at the Evangelische Theologische Faculteit (Evangelical Theological Faculty) in Leuven, Belgium (2008 & 2010).

Constance is frequently called upon to serve as conference speaker on matters related to worship and church music. She is a published composer (Lorenz, Hope Publishing Company, and Celebrations Unlimited) as well as the author of many hymn texts. She currently has hymns in seven major hymnals. In addition to her three published books, Constance’s other publications include articles in numerous magazines such as Worship Leader, The Hymn, Reformed Worship, Worship Arts, and Creator. A native of Michigan, Constance enjoys traveling, playing the piano, walking, and hanging out with family and friends.

--theworshiparchitect.com/