Fuller Theological Seminary

About Brehm Center

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.

  • What We Believe

    We believe that God is the original artist, the first Creator.

  • Who We Are

    We engage expert faculty, world-class artists, and visiting scholars to investigate the theory and practice of making art in worship and ministry.

  • What We Do

    We inspire a new generation of thoughtful, creative, and culturally engaged worship and arts leaders who can wisely speak into the church as well as beyond its walls.

Key Events in Our 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 titled “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

    The Brehm Center came into being due to 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

    Spring 2009

    Staged Man of La Mancha at La Cañada Presbyterian Church, Long Beach Playhouse

    Fall 2009

    First Ogilvie Chair of Preaching and Director of Ogilvie Institute Installed

    November 2009

    The Brehm Lectures featured the premiere 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

    Spring 2011

    Micah Groups from Brehm Preaching launched in Pasadena, San Francisco, Orange County, Seattle, Phoenix, Houston, and Colorado Springs

    Fall 2011

    Brehm Lectures: Mako Fujimura and Ellen Davis

    Spring 2012

    Brehm 10th Anniversary Celebration

    Fall 2012

    Brehm Lectures Eugene Lowry and Bobette Buster

    November 2012

    Ogilvie Institute Conference—“Preaching in a Visual Age,” featuring Pete Doctor, Bobette Buster, Ralph Winter, Shane Hipps, John Chan, Ralph Watkins, and more

    2012–2015, 2017

    Festival of Worship at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels featuring significant composers and conductors including 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

    2015

    The Brehm Residency launches with its first cohort convening

  • January 2017

    Reel Spirituality Film Screening: Silence with Martin Scorcese

    February 2018

    “Consolation for the Suffering”: The Fred Bock Institute of Music at The Brehm Center hosted two concert performances of Consolation for the Suffering, a full-length work for choir and orchestra

    Fall 2018

    Micah Intensives from Brehm Preaching launch, in partnership with The Justice Conference

    April 2019

    Reel Spirituality Film Screening: First Reformed with Paul Schrader

    October 2019

    Reel Spirituality Film Screening: Sinister with Scott Derrickso