1855 Knollcrest Circle SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546-4402 USA
On the campus of Calvin University and Calvin Theological Seminary
© 2025 Calvin Institute of Christian Worship
Robert Nordling is a conductor, composer, arranger, and educator who says, “Music has been a central part of my life since age three.” He has held music ministry positions in churches in California, Washington, and England. Nordling also serves as resource development specialist for orchestral music for Calvin Institute of Christian Worship.
From 2002 through 2007, Nordling and his wife, Cherith Fee Nordling, worked as co-directors of Christian formation at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He also served as Calvin’s orchestra conductor from 2002 through 2012. Nordling left Calvin to join his wife in metro Chicago, where she teaches theology at Northern Seminary in Lombard, Illinois.
In December 2012, Robert Nordling gave an extended interview. In this edited excerpt, he talks about humility as a key to Christian leadership and formation during college.
Nordling says that Christians have for centuries debated whether music is inherently powerful or whether powerful response to music comes from learned experience in a particular context. In this edited excerpt, he explains why humility and authenticity have always been necessary to resolve church music and worship disagreements.
| Read about how Robert Nordling and Cherith Fee Nordling nurtured spiritual formation at Calvin College. |
Robert Nordling on Orchestras as Models of Christian Formation
Chris Snyder on Adoro Music Publishing
Showcase – Leadership in Times of Change
This worship service focuses on the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37. The Holland Christian High School Symphonic Orchestra, directed by Scott VandenBerg, leads the music with accompaniment from Alexis VanZalen. Calvin University’s Awakening group leads congregational singing featuring a selection of emerging bilingual Korean-English songs. Andrea Bult delivers the message, and students from Calvin University’s Ministry Leadership Cohort, alongside their mentor, Noel Snyder, guide the liturgy.
This worship service centers on the story of the friend at midnight in Luke 11:5-13. Sandra McCracken, in collaboration with the Calvin University Worship Apprentices and their mentor, Paul Ryan, lead congregational worship. Janette Ok delivers the sermon, and Becca Tellinghuisen leads the scripture reading.
This service of the word and table includes a message on Luke 10 from Kevin Adams, who reflects on the parables of the lost sheep, coin, and son. Communion is celebrated following the message. Proskuneo Ministries leads the music, and the Calvin University Ministry Leadership Cohort, alongside their mentor, Joanna Wigboldy, guides the liturgy.
This worship service focuses on the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37. The Holland Christian High School Symphonic Orchestra, directed by Scott VandenBerg, leads the music with accompaniment from Alexis VanZalen. Calvin University’s Awakening group leads congregational singing featuring a selection of emerging bilingual Korean-English songs. Andrea Bult delivers the message, and students from Calvin University’s Ministry Leadership Cohort, alongside their mentor, Noel Snyder, guide the liturgy.
This worship service centers on the story of the friend at midnight in Luke 11:5-13. Sandra McCracken, in collaboration with the Calvin University Worship Apprentices and their mentor, Paul Ryan, lead congregational worship. Janette Ok delivers the sermon, and Becca Tellinghuisen leads the scripture reading.
This service of the word and table includes a message on Luke 10 from Kevin Adams, who reflects on the parables of the lost sheep, coin, and son. Communion is celebrated following the message. Proskuneo Ministries leads the music, and the Calvin University Ministry Leadership Cohort, alongside their mentor, Joanna Wigboldy, guides the liturgy.
This worship service is musically led by Symposium contributor Raymond Wise and the Calvin University Gospel Choir, directed by Nate Glasper. Dennis Edwards delivers the message on Luke 16:19-31, “The Rich Man and Lazarus.”
