Howard Vanderwell

Howard Vanderwell was ordained in the Christian Reformed Church in 1962. He received his M.Div. and Th.M. degree from Calvin Theological Seminary and his D.Min. at Westminster Theological Seminary in California. He has served as pastor to four congregations over 40 years in Iowa, Illinois and Michigan. After leaving the pastorate in 2002 he began a new ministry at Calvin College and Calvin Theological Seminary. He is currently a staff member at the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI and Adjunct Professor of Worship at Calvin Theological Seminary. He consults with local congregations, provides worship materials, leads conferences and workshops, and teaches courses on worship at Calvin Seminary. Howard’‘s interests include planning, leading and evaluating worship, preaching, and worship renewal throughout the evangelical church. “My life-long prayer, from my days as a child, was that I might be honored to serve as a Christian Reformed pastor preaching the Word of God to encourage and challenge his people. I consider the forty years of my pastoral ministry to have been the most valuable way in which I could have invested those years! When I consult with pastors, teach and mentor students, hold conferences for worship leaders, or write worship planning materials, my aim is to equip and inspire others to serve their Lord and Savior by making a whole-hearted investment in his church and his people. Such ministry is certainly not without its stresses and discouragements, and those of us who have found such joy in a life-time of ministry are uniquely fitted to encourage others.” Howard lives in Hudsonville, MI with his wife Eleanor. They have three married sons and ten grandchildren ages 5 through 19. His hobbies are yard-gardening, walking, photography and model railroading.

  • Why Isn't God Answering?

    March 7, 2010

    You know… this question that we’re talking about today is an unusually painful one. It’s a very hard thing to think that God might not be answering ...

    read more »

  • Why Do Good People Suffer?

    February 28, 2010

    You know it’s so important to remember that Job really was a good man. And, yes, like so many of us, Job knew about suffering first hand. Dr. ...

    read more »

  • Can I Really Be Sure Of My Salvation?

    February 14, 2010

    When I hear those words, especially the words of v.11 in which Peter calls us to "be all the more eager to make our calling and election sure", I ...

    read more »

  • Can I Know The Will Of God?

    February 14, 2010

    Look at what Paul says in Ephesians 5 v.15—21…it’s a paragraph in which virtually every statement and clause warrants close consideration. Here are ...

    read more »

  • Why Isn't My Christian Life More Dynamic?

    February 7, 2010

    Opening Let me begin by telling you about the time a fellow came to my office. We had set up an appointment to talk. When he entered I could see that ...

    read more »

  • I'm Amazed!

    August 23, 2009

    A sense of amazement is good and healthy for all of us. Life every day is full of surprising things that capture our attention and ought to stir a ...

    read more »

  • I Must Remember

    August 16, 2009

    Many Christians call Psalm 103 their favorite. Along with Psalm 23, David’s shepherd Psalm, this one is probably one of the best—known of the Psalms. ...

    read more »

  • I'm Confused!

    August 9, 2009

    Sometimes there seems to be a big gap between “theory” and “fact”, between “what is” and “what we think ought to be.” Let me explain what I mean. ...

    read more »

  • I Feel Safe

    August 2, 2009

    Have you ever thought much about how common tears are among us? Oh, I know, when we’re the ones shedding the tears, we’re obviously very aware of ...

    read more »

  • I've Been Rescued

    July 26, 2009

    The Psalms compose a fascinating book of the Bible. There are 150 Psalms in the Old Testament. You’ll find them just about in the middle of your ...

    read more »

1 2 »