Mission accomplished!

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21 ESV)

Just a couple of Sundays ago I officially completed a journey that was in the making for several years — I walked across the stage to be hooded as Dr. Gambill. I’ll spare you the tears and snot descriptions from that day, but I would like to step back a few years for a quick revisit.

Jumping back to Wednesday, June 8, 2016 we can
find me and several other new faces reporting for campus orientation at The Robert Webber Institute for Worship Studies (IWS). I was doing pretty okay, until Dr. Jessica Jones began to speak. See, for those that aren’t aware, Dr. Jones (Jessica) is one of the professors for our final intensive, the portion where we write our final thesis (dissertation). As she continued to do her best to help us newbies get prepared for all things IWS, especially our thesis, I began to get more nervous as she spoke. Then, she shared a simple word, yet very powerful for me in that moment. Jessica said something to this degree, “Right now you’re looking at this huge wall that you know you’re going to have to build. What you need to remember is how that wall got there. You’re going to build it one brick at a time.” For the following three years I held tightly to that simply idea of one brick at a time. And, of course, she was correct!

Now, here’s the deal, unlike some many others, I had no idea why I had started a doctoral program. My family, church, and job scenario had no need for it. Yet, there was something deep within me that couldn’t get it out of my mind…for years! There was also a 13 year gap between my masters and starting this degree. Needless to say, I was rusty as a student. Every now and then I would go back to an email from Bob Webber himself telling me I should c’mon to the school and get my doctorate. As much as I would have enjoyed learning directly under him, it just wasn’t time yet. My time was Wednesday, June 8th, 2016. What began to transpire on this date was a personal formation I could not have seen coming. I can’t even sing or recite The Lord’s Prayer now without practically tearing up (my IWS colleagues will understand).

Fast forward to the present, it was clearly evident why God had laid this doctoral program on my heart. Little did I know I would be entering into full-time academia at William Carey University after 18+ years in the Christian music industry.  What’s the old lyric? “When you can’t trace His hand, trust His heart.”

99.9% of my family, friends, and colleagues will never take the time to read my final thesis (dissertation), and that’s okay. I’m not even sure I want to read it again. Haha! This being said, there were two special pages within it that I want to make sure the world has access to, my acknowledgments. Below is what came from my heart. I never, never, never could have done this without these amazing people in my life.

ACKNOWLEGEMENTS

First and foremost, I thank my wife, Tammy, for being very close by my side during my entire academic career. Throughout our marriage she has been my absolute greatest supporter as I achieved my bachelor’s, master’s, and now my doctorate. There are no words to properly express my gratitude for her sacrifice and patience through these many years. The sleepless nights and long days at the library finally paid off. Along with Tammy, my two daughters, Madison and Julia, remained vigilant at pushing their dad to the very end. We have all cried and laughed through the process. May this journey be a reminder that it is never too late to pursue your passions!

I would like to acknowledge my parents, Rev. John Robert Gambill (deceased) and Jane Gambill for their many years of faithfulness to God and the ministry. As a pastor, teacher, and father, the world could use a million more people like my dad. He was called home much sooner than expected, but left his mark on so many people. As a pastor’s wife, church pianist, and mother, many have been blessed by my mom’s tireless efforts over the years for the local church. Who I am was remarkably shaped by the love and support of my dad and mom.

I would like to thank my extended family and close friends Danny, Cindy, Ladona, Melinda, Dan, Chet, Patsy, Bj, and Fred. As the common phrase states, it takes a village!

I would like to acknowledge Richard Black and Bobby McClellan (deceased) for modeling what authenticity in worship can and should be. Money could never pay for the hours, weeks, and years of church music mentoring each poured out on me. As a mentor now, my prayer is to passionately pass along to the next generation the words spoken to me by Richard at the time of Bobby’s passing: You were worth it!

For the ministry context that is the setting for this doctoral project, I would like to thank Dr. Wes Dykes, Dean of the Winters School of Music and Ministry Studies at William Carey University, as well as my church music students at William Carey. Their desire to join me in this process was unselfish and life-giving. The subject of authenticity in worship is now a part of the culture, and future students will benefit from their contributions.

I would humbly like to thank the administration, faculty, and fellow students at the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies. Although it was almost fifteen years ago that I first considered coming to IWS, along with personal prodding by the late Bob Webber himself, God knew the best timing. God knew that it was this point in history that I was to be impacted by these many colleagues and friends. I would like to thank Dr. Vincent Zarletti, my Thesis Supervisor, and Dr. Jessica Jones, my Thesis Director, for their many words of helpful and needed encouragement. They will never know how much it truly meant!

Lastly, to Almighty God, I am grateful for the encouragement from his Word that declares, “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21).

So, here I am…post-graduation. It took some days to figure out what I would do with all the spare time I had on my hands, now that I was finished with 3 years of research and writing. Of course, all the spare time has filled up with amazingly wonderful duties of life. Do I miss the hard, hard work? Nah. However, I do greatly miss the friendships (classmates, professors, and administration) and our special times of worship. Though we were from so many different church backgrounds and stylistic persuasions, we experienced the church in action as we gathered. To God be the glory!

I may have left the IWS campus as a student, but the formation continues. That which has been burning in my heart is now being shared with worship leadership students at William Carey University. I’m certainly not as “has been,” but it’s a beautiful thing to have a part in shaping our next generation of leaders.

Thank you, Bob Webber. Though you weren’t there for me, you were still definitely there for me! To this end…mission accomplished!