Short Guide No 6: What Makes A Good Hymn?

Answering this question inevitably contains a subjective element: a hymn which one person finds comforting can seem mawkish to someone…

Hymn Society of Great Britain and Ireland

Short Guide No 8: How Can We Use the Psalms in Worship?

The Psalter is Scripture’s own hymn book; its contents speak to a vast range of human emotions and experiences. Therefore…

Hymn Society of Great Britain and Ireland

Short Guide No 12: How can we Introduce New Hymns and Songs?

New hymns and songs can be introduced in a variety of ways, depending on both the style of the item…

Hymn Society of Great Britain and Ireland

Short Guide No 13: Using Hymns in All-Age Worship

Some services are designated as ‘all-age’. What does this imply? Ideally, all worship should be suitable for everyone in a…

Hymn Society of Great Britain and Ireland

Short Guide No 15: How does the choice of tune affect a hymn?

It is a truism that words and music fit together like a horse and carriage and that each relies on…

Hymn Society of Great Britain and Ireland

Short Guide No 17: What are the Arguments For and Against Revising Hymn Texts?

‘Nothing changes here’ or ‘All the changing scenes’? Why would we ever ‘revise’ the words of familiar hymns? We do…

Hymn Society of Great Britain and Ireland

Short Guide No 20: Using Short Songs in Worship

The New Testament encourages believers to sing ‘Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs’, suggesting the Body of Christ needs a range…

Hymn Society of Great Britain and Ireland

Short Guide No 21: Wedding Hymns

Many couples still choose to marry in church, yet the combined impact of more choice and the increasing lack of…

Hymn Society of Great Britain and Ireland

Short Guide No 22: Funeral Hymns

Christian funerals take place either in a church or at a crematorium or cemetery chapel. While the circumstances are different…

Hymn Society of Great Britain and Ireland

Short Guide No 23: Baptism Hymns

Baptism can occur in different contexts and at different stages in life, yet the fundamental spiritual and ecclesiological purpose and…

Hymn Society of Great Britain and Ireland

Short Guide No 24: Confirmation Hymns

‘Confirmation’ covers various approaches to Christian initiation and commitment. When adults make a commitment and are received into membership of…

Hymn Society of Great Britain and Ireland

Short Guide No 25: Ordination and Commissioning Hymns

Ordinations and commissioning services happen in a variety of contexts, and are a cause of great celebration and spiritual power.…

Hymn Society of Great Britain and Ireland