Awards
Each year the Institute names recipients of awards that recognize both established and emerging leaders—theologians, scholars, artists, musicians, and more—whose contributions inspire, nurture, and sustain the ongoing work of liturgical renewal.
The Institute of Liturgical Studies at Valparaiso University is pleased to announce Rev. Dr. Max Johnson as this year’s recipient of the Christus Rex Award.
We are delighted to name Nate Crary as the Brugh Emerging Leader for 2025.
Past Recipients
Click the (+) buttons to read more about the purpose, history, and past recipients of the Christus Rex and Brugh Emerging Leader awards.
Established by the Institute’s advisory council in 2009, the Christus Rex Award annually recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to Lutheran liturgical scholarship and renewal. Past recipients of the Christus Rex Award include:
- 2009 Mark P. Bangert
- 2010 Philip Gehring
- 2011 George W. Hoyer
- 2012 Gordon W. Lathrop
- 2013 E. Louise Williams
- 2014 Carl Schalk
- 2015 Gail Ramshaw
- 2016 Paul Westermeyer
- 2017 Delores Dufner and Frank Senn
- 2018 Robert Buckley Farlee
- 2019 John August Swanson and Gertrud Mueller Nelson
- 2020 Frederick Niedner
- 2022 Lorraine S. Brugh
- 2023 Martin A. Seltz
- 2024 Susan Briehl
- 2025 Max Johnson
About the Award
Since its founding in 1949, the Institute of Liturgical Studies at Valparaiso University has been a locus for liturgical renewal and innovation. Accordingly, the Institute strives to recognize and support new generations of leaders whose contributions enrich the study and practice of liturgy, assembly song, preaching, music, scholarship, and other endeavors that support the wider church.
Established in recognition of Lorraine (Institute director, 2004–17) and Gary Brugh, the award’s purpose is twofold: (1) to honor and encourage individuals early in their vocation and (2) to acknowledge significant gifts already made by these individuals for the good of the whole church through such activities as creation of content—writings, music, art, presentations, and more—that, among other considerations: nurture relationships within communities; demonstrate an ongoing commitment to education; and balance received wisdom with new and creative expressions.
Intended for individuals in the first 10–15 years of their professional careers (regardless of age or previous occupations), the award is presented annually at the Institute of Liturgical Studies banquet. It is designed to celebrate gifts, sensibilities, and capabilities demonstrated through faithful leadership and outstanding contribution to the liturgical life of the church.
The award is accompanied by a stipend of $500.00 to be used by recipients for continuing education at their discretion. Past recipients of the Brugh Emerging Leader award include:
- 2016 Jennifer Baker-Trinity
- 2017 Ike Sturm
- 2018 Liv Larson Andrews
- 2019 Erik Christensen
- 2020 Paul Damico-Carper
- 2021 None (Online Webinar Seminars due to Pandemic Year)
- 2022 David Larson Martinez
- 2025 Nate Crary
The Nomination Process
Nominations for the Brugh Emerging Leader award may be submitted throughout the calendar year. Nominations received between January 1 and December 31 are considered for the following year. The award is presented to the recipient at the next Institute’s closing banquet, and the recipient is invited to return the following year to share their work in workshops, seminars, or liturgies.
Nomination Form