Learning and Worshiping Together: An Interview with Adriana Perera

Best Practices for Adventist Worship (BP): You recently completed your doctoral coursework at the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies. What are two things you learned that you have found most inspiring and relevant in shaping the worship practices of your local congregation? 

Adriana Perera (AP): From the first day of classes, the faculty at the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship highlighted two Christian values: humility and integrity. We were taught that biblical worship, by definition, entails a humble attitude from the creature before the Creator’s presence. As a consequence, humility, as a spiritual gift and a Christian value, needs to be included in each syllabus and accentuated in the curriculum. All our professors were intentional in manifesting a humble, servant-leader spirit inside and outside the classroom. I found that inspiring and transformational. I hope I will communicate the same humble, Christ-like attitude to the people I serve at Loma Linda University Church (LLUC). 

Additionally, I loved learning that Jesus is not only the center of true worship in light of the Scriptures; He is also the ultimate worship leader. Jesus shows us, through his words and actions, what true worship is about. His teachings on worship and the way he led worship challenged the status quo in his time and exposed the empty traditionalism of the many religious practices.   

Every Friday, the Music Ministry staff at LLUC pray for those facilitating worship on Sabbath. We pray that Jesus be central in the music, the words, and everything presented during the worship service. We pray that we also challenge our worship practices' status quo and make an intentional effort to put Jesus at the center of everything participants hear and see.   

Another thing that I loved learning is the intimate connection between biblical worship and justice. Biblically-faithful worship awakes us to the realities of this world so we can step into reality just like Jesus did. The Music Ministry program at LLUC is collaborating with UReach, the community service program, in an initiative called “Allegro.” A group of volunteers go to the San Bernardino County Juvenile Detention and Assessment Center to teach piano and music lessons to teenagers there. It is a beautiful way to step into a reality different from ours and bring some light and joy through music.  

BP: You'll be leading a gathering of worship and music ministers at a certificate program this summer (August 9-12, 2023). Of all that you have been learning in your studies and applying, what are you most excited to share with the community who will be gathering to learn and worship together?  

AP: A concept that I loved learning about is that each congregation develops its own “worship voice” as a result of the rich diversity of backgrounds and generations represented in local churches. When we synchronize our emotions by singing together, we connect our hearts by praying together, we listen to God’s Word and to each other's spiritual journeys, and we get closer to God and to one other by responding to God’s invitation to engage with Him in worship. 

What I am most excited to share with the community who will be coming to the Worship Leadership Certificate in August is the extraordinary opportunity to engage with music resources, training, inspiring worship experiences, and a network of nationally and internationally prominent worship scholars and leaders.  

Worship leaders in local churches are, for the most part, volunteers. When they need resources, training, or a supportive community of musicians, they usually have a hard time finding them since there are few music and worship departments at any level of the Adventist Church organization. I hope many will join us as we collaborate to make the most of the opportunity we have to gather every week for worship with our local congregations.