This topic can be addressed from various angles such as hymns in general, specific hymns and the use of hymns in worship. The relevant resources do, however, overlap. Finding out about hymns generally Online resources The leading digital resource is The Canterbury Dictionary of Hymnology, edited by J.R. Watson and Emma Hornby (https://hymnology.hymnsam.co.uk/). A paid subscription grants access to a wide … Read More
Here are half a dozen ideas about hymnody which may – or may not – contain a grain of truth … as seen by a self-confessed hymn lover. Myth: Hymns are old, songs are new Or maybe not … Beginning in what came to be called the “hymn explosion” in the 1960’s, huge numbers of new hymns in English have … Read More
The New Testament encourages believers to sing ‘Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs’, suggesting the Body of Christ needs a range of sung material. As well as hymns, the imaginative use of short songs of various kinds can enrich worship; this paper explores the repertoire of shorter songs and suggests ways of incorporating them into services. Chorus is the name which … Read More
The hymnal, or hymn book, is a significant Christian book for many believers; but while it is handled frequently, we perhaps understand little of what we really hold. It is actually far more than a songbook. A good hymnal immerses us in Biblical language and the Biblical message. Scripture is the raw material of the best hymns. An effective and … Read More
To write one or more hymns and have them used by a congregation to which you belong is one thing; to have these hymns published commercially is another matter. This paper looks primarily at hymn texts but similar principles apply for music. Before Publishing Write, check and re-write. The first draft is rarely the finished article. Let someone else see … Read More
‘Nothing changes here’ or ‘All the changing scenes’? Why would we ever ‘revise’ the words of familiar hymns? We do not change a Shakespeare sonnet or a Beatles song; but we do adopt new Bible versions and modify ancient prayers. In which category do our still-beloved hymns belong? Unlike poems, hymns are for singing together by churches which may be … Read More
Developments in technology have expanded the range of ways in which hymns can be presented during a service. No longer is it automatically assumed that hymn and service books will be handed out at the door. Even where they are, the time will come to replace these books—and then other options can usefully be explored. Among other possibilities, two of … Read More
It is a truism that words and music fit together like a horse and carriage and that each relies on the other for its effect. But in common English parlance hymns are known by their words (‘Onward, Christian Soldiers’) rather than by their tune names (SAINT GERTRUDE). However, it is usually the tune which remains in the memory and which … Read More
Even with a single hymn book, a typical congregation probably has more hymns at their disposal than they can realistically use; add a supplementary book and access to online resources, and the choice rapidly becomes unmanageable. It is, however, possible to tap into these diverse sources and construct a workable repertoire for a congregation’s use. Here are some hints and … Read More
Some services are designated as ‘all-age’. What does this imply? Ideally, all worship should be suitable for everyone in a worshipping community. ‘Our Father’ should mean what it says, without alienating people because of their age or cultural background. So, the term ‘all-age’ usually means a service for both adults and children, with a special emphasis on families. The potential … Read More
The pastoral use of hymns covers both the occasional offices of the church – baptism, weddings and funerals – but also those relating to healing and healing services. It is also necessary to examine the pastoral impact of hymns in ordinary and seasonal acts of worship. Here are some principles which may be applied in various contexts. General pastoral criteria … Read More
The Psalter is Scripture’s own hymn book; its contents speak to a vast range of human emotions and experiences. Therefore they should not be ignored. Traditionally the psalms have held an honoured place in Christian worship, but there is no universal agreement within the church as to how best or how often they should be used. Different denominations, different approaches … Read More
Answering this question inevitably contains a subjective element: a hymn which one person finds comforting can seem mawkish to someone else, while one believer’s treasured old favourite can sound dated to another Christian. Here, as food for thought, are five balances and five contrasts which may help to identify hymns of quality… Five Balances A good hymn balances… Theology and … Read More
Some ideas to be shared with worship leaders Have a suitable range of hymns available to illustrate the session. A group of well prepared musicians is a great asset! You must involve the audience throughout and be sensitive to people’s interests and concerns. Encourage participation and aim to stimulate discussion which leads to positive outcomes. These notes represent one way … Read More
Some hymns are obviously ill-suited to certain services, or to certain parts of a service. It would make little sense to sing ‘Go forth and tell! O church of God, awake!’ as an opening hymn, or ‘Come, ye faithful, raise the anthem’ at the end; ‘We plough the fields and scatter’ is unlikely to be appropriate during Advent. Here are … Read More
Hymn-singing as an activity is admittedly nowhere near as common as it once was, and that is probably true inside churches as well as beyond their walls. So what is the point of singing hymns? Here are ten benefits worth bearing in mind. Hymn-singing is Physical This may seem a strange thing to say, yet it is true. When we … Read More
Please Login to view this content. (Not a member? Join Today!)