David Toledo | Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (original) (raw)
A native of Louisiana, David Toledo received his Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. After graduation he moved to Fort Worth, Texas where he pursued graduate work at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He received his Master of Music in Music Ministry in May 2007. In December 2012, he graduated with his Ph.D. in Church Music with a dissertation entitled, "Imaging God in Private and Corporate Worship: The Imago Dei as a Divine Call to All Believers."
David Toledo currently serves as the Associate Pastor of Worship and Creative Arts at First Baptist Church in Keller, Texas where he has served for the past twelve years. The Worship Ministry of First Baptist Church encompasses a wide variety of ensembles, musical styles, and opportunities for children, students, and adults. Under his leadership, the ministry has grown to include over 700 people participating weekly in vocal, orchestral, and handbell ensembles as well as several worship bands and our Fine Arts Academy. The worship services of FBC Keller engage its multi-generational congregation with a diversity of musical styles including modern worship expressions and traditional hymnody. David conducts the major choral and orchestral ensembles, leads the worship band, and guides the children and student music ministries. He is equally comfortable conducting the over 100 member Sanctuary Choir and Orchestra as he is in leading a contemporary worship set from the piano with the worship band. He is blessed to lead and serve alongside a talented and godly Worship Ministry team of ten paid staff members and twenty private music instructors in the FBC Keller Fine Arts Academy.
David married his beautiful bride, Lindsey Toledo, in August of 2004 and they have two children, William David (2010) and Ellery Claire (2013).
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Papers by David Toledo
This article examines Celebrating Grace Hymnal published in 2010 by Celebrating Grace, Inc., foun... more This article examines Celebrating Grace Hymnal published in 2010 by Celebrating Grace, Inc., founded out of Mercer University in Macon, Georgia. I explore the musical and textual contents of the hymnal, compare it with its immediate predecessor, Baptist Hymnal (1991), place it in its historical context within twenty-first century Southern Baptist life, and highlight several important contributions it makes to the study of hymnody. I also reflect on its reception and adoption as a resource for congregational worship within its first five years of publication.
This paper examines worship from the perspective of humanity’s creation in the image of God. It s... more This paper examines worship from the perspective of humanity’s creation in the image of God. It synthesizes several historical interpretations of the doctrine of the imago Dei and proposes a vocational understanding. This approach views humanity’s created purpose as a calling to display and embody the glory of God. As believers understand their vocation as a life of worship, this transforms individual spiritual disciplines and corporate worship. The Holy Spirit works to spiritually form believers into the image of Christ, who is the glory and supreme image of the Father. Therefore, all corporate and private worship is at its core, Christ-centered. The paper concludes with several suggestions to transform public worship, including prayer, congregational song, Scripture reading, and the proclamation of the Word of God.
In light of the prevailing trends of our postmodern society, many people struggle in their search... more In light of the prevailing trends of our postmodern society, many people struggle in their search for identity and long for a sense of community. Every person, created in the image of God, desires community because God has created them to do so. The imago Dei is not only an attribute or quality of humanity, but rather is a divine vocation to reflect God’s glory and nature. If one asserts that man is created in the image of God, it logically requires that the image corresponds to the nature of God. Because the Scriptures define God most specifically as triune, some aspect of image bearing must reflect the triune nature of God.
The Trinitarian nature of image bearing has many implications for corporate worship, but I chose to explore the various ways in which it impacts the celebration of the Lord’s Table. I examine the way in which the Lord’s Supper depicts and enacts the realities of the Sacrifice of Christ, the New Covenant, and the Body of Christ.
It is my hope that this work will spur believers to examine the ways in which they practice the Lord’s Supper and reexamine the depth of realities that it portrays. The church is called to reflect God’s glory and serve as his icons in the world as they are formed into Christ’s image and fulfill his mission through the world.
This presentation explored various avenues through which churches can positively impact their com... more This presentation explored various avenues through which churches can positively impact their communities with the Gospel through the fine arts. Theological, philosophical, and practical concerns are addressed.
In his article titled “Why Pastors Should Be Learned in Worship and Music” in volume one of Artis... more In his article titled “Why Pastors Should Be Learned in Worship and Music” in volume one of Artistic Theologian, Kevin T. Bauder offered nine propositions outlining the necessity of musical and doxological training for pastors. The present work serves as a companion piece to Bauder’s thoughtful rationale and seeks to offer a similar argument for the theological training of worship leaders and church musicians. My observations and insights emerge from more than fifteen years of worship leadership in the local church and nearly a decade of graduate theological training. Whereas Bauder proposes the immense benefit of musical and worship instruction for a pastor without deeming it a necessity, it is my belief that a worship leader cannot possibly hope to have a long-term ministry that guides a congregation in worship informed by biblical principles, provides a vehicle for spiritual formation, and serves as a consistent Gospel witness without some level of theological training. The essential nature of theological training for the worship leader finds support from the witness of Scripture, the nature of worship itself, the structure and content of worship, the pastoral role of the worship leader, and the example of hundreds of years of Christian history.
A study of the leadership dynamics within a large worship ministry team. Critical factors for su... more A study of the leadership dynamics within a large worship ministry team. Critical factors for success and growth are examined.
This project examined the impact that prevailing attitudes and philosophies of postmodernity had ... more This project examined the impact that prevailing attitudes and philosophies of postmodernity had on a sample body of high school students from First Baptist Church. The students were surveyed and their results compiled. Conclusions were then made as to the degree of impact by postmodern thought.
This article examines Celebrating Grace Hymnal published in 2010 by Celebrating Grace, Inc., foun... more This article examines Celebrating Grace Hymnal published in 2010 by Celebrating Grace, Inc., founded out of Mercer University in Macon, Georgia. I explore the musical and textual contents of the hymnal, compare it with its immediate predecessor, Baptist Hymnal (1991), place it in its historical context within twenty-first century Southern Baptist life, and highlight several important contributions it makes to the study of hymnody. I also reflect on its reception and adoption as a resource for congregational worship within its first five years of publication.
This paper examines worship from the perspective of humanity’s creation in the image of God. It s... more This paper examines worship from the perspective of humanity’s creation in the image of God. It synthesizes several historical interpretations of the doctrine of the imago Dei and proposes a vocational understanding. This approach views humanity’s created purpose as a calling to display and embody the glory of God. As believers understand their vocation as a life of worship, this transforms individual spiritual disciplines and corporate worship. The Holy Spirit works to spiritually form believers into the image of Christ, who is the glory and supreme image of the Father. Therefore, all corporate and private worship is at its core, Christ-centered. The paper concludes with several suggestions to transform public worship, including prayer, congregational song, Scripture reading, and the proclamation of the Word of God.
In light of the prevailing trends of our postmodern society, many people struggle in their search... more In light of the prevailing trends of our postmodern society, many people struggle in their search for identity and long for a sense of community. Every person, created in the image of God, desires community because God has created them to do so. The imago Dei is not only an attribute or quality of humanity, but rather is a divine vocation to reflect God’s glory and nature. If one asserts that man is created in the image of God, it logically requires that the image corresponds to the nature of God. Because the Scriptures define God most specifically as triune, some aspect of image bearing must reflect the triune nature of God.
The Trinitarian nature of image bearing has many implications for corporate worship, but I chose to explore the various ways in which it impacts the celebration of the Lord’s Table. I examine the way in which the Lord’s Supper depicts and enacts the realities of the Sacrifice of Christ, the New Covenant, and the Body of Christ.
It is my hope that this work will spur believers to examine the ways in which they practice the Lord’s Supper and reexamine the depth of realities that it portrays. The church is called to reflect God’s glory and serve as his icons in the world as they are formed into Christ’s image and fulfill his mission through the world.
This presentation explored various avenues through which churches can positively impact their com... more This presentation explored various avenues through which churches can positively impact their communities with the Gospel through the fine arts. Theological, philosophical, and practical concerns are addressed.
In his article titled “Why Pastors Should Be Learned in Worship and Music” in volume one of Artis... more In his article titled “Why Pastors Should Be Learned in Worship and Music” in volume one of Artistic Theologian, Kevin T. Bauder offered nine propositions outlining the necessity of musical and doxological training for pastors. The present work serves as a companion piece to Bauder’s thoughtful rationale and seeks to offer a similar argument for the theological training of worship leaders and church musicians. My observations and insights emerge from more than fifteen years of worship leadership in the local church and nearly a decade of graduate theological training. Whereas Bauder proposes the immense benefit of musical and worship instruction for a pastor without deeming it a necessity, it is my belief that a worship leader cannot possibly hope to have a long-term ministry that guides a congregation in worship informed by biblical principles, provides a vehicle for spiritual formation, and serves as a consistent Gospel witness without some level of theological training. The essential nature of theological training for the worship leader finds support from the witness of Scripture, the nature of worship itself, the structure and content of worship, the pastoral role of the worship leader, and the example of hundreds of years of Christian history.
A study of the leadership dynamics within a large worship ministry team. Critical factors for su... more A study of the leadership dynamics within a large worship ministry team. Critical factors for success and growth are examined.
This project examined the impact that prevailing attitudes and philosophies of postmodernity had ... more This project examined the impact that prevailing attitudes and philosophies of postmodernity had on a sample body of high school students from First Baptist Church. The students were surveyed and their results compiled. Conclusions were then made as to the degree of impact by postmodern thought.