Howard D. Vanderwell
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Biography
Howard D. Vanderwell (1937–2018) was a pastor in the Christian Reformed Church for 40 years, serving four congregations in Iowa, Illinois, and Michigan between 1962 and 2002. After retiring from congregational ministry, he joined the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, where he worked as a pastoral resource specialist until shortly before his death in March 2018. His roles with CICW included teaching worship- and ministry-related courses at Calvin Theological Seminary (in a complementary role as adjunct professor of worship), mentoring seminary students and staff, presenting at national and regional workshops and conferences, and writing and editing books, articles, and website resources.
During his time at CICW, Vanderwell wrote or edited four books: Letters to Growing Pastors (2018), Caring Worship (2017), Living and Loving Life: Devotional Reflections (2011), and The Church of All Ages: Generations Worshiping Together (2007). He was also a member of the development team for The Worship Sourcebook, Second Edition (2013). He had previously authored Proven Promises (1990), Now That You Are an Elder (1990), and Preaching That Connects (1989, 2018). His writings also include articles for the quarterly journal Reformed Worship.
Vanderwell served on several ministry-related boards and committees, including the Faith Formation Committee of the Christian Reformed Church in North America. He served as president of the annual synod of the Christian Reformed Church three times. In 2017, he received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Calvin Theological Seminary. Throughout his ministry, he was an advocate for intergenerational faith formation, effective church council leadership, and preaching and worship leadership as expressions of pastoral care.
Vanderwell earned a bachelor’s degree from Calvin College, MDiv and ThM degrees from Calvin Theological Seminary, and a DMin degree from Westminster Seminary California.
Publication Date
4-19-2024
Keywords
congregational ministry
Disciplines
Christianity | Liturgy and Worship
Recommended Citation
Vanderwell, Howard, "Howard D. Vanderwell" (2024). CICW Emeriti Staff. 2.
https://digitalcommons.calvin.edu/cicw-staff-work/2
Significant Works on Calvin Digital Commons (click author name above for full search results)
Vanderwell Sermon Recordings