Ultimately, it was a failure. 14 years ago, it was almost impossible to adequtely present many biblical themes with real substance, using only contemporary materials. We could sing "our God is an awesome God," but could not go deeply and sing that he is "immortal, invisible, God only wise." I heard one songwriter in the praise and worship genre say that after his songs became more theologically thoughtful, publishers became less interested in them. (Happily, this man ended up in a church pastored by a friend of mine, who continued to encourage him to write deeply!) It was discouraging. So coming to College Church with its passionate commitment to hymn singing was refreshing and invigorating.
I still have no interest in what is called "contemporary worship" (whatever is meant by that), and there is still a lot of dreck being put forth for use in that medium. But I am happy to say that the past decade has brought a lot more depth, substance, and historical material into the contemporary arena. In particular, "old hymns" have been "re-discovered" and cast into new forms for singing by congregations of all ages. In most cases, these settings even preserve the old language!
Granted, even in that trend there are at least as many misses as hits. There are still worship-leading-guitar-players who lack the melodic craft to produce a melody that people can and want to sing for years to come. I don't worry about that. Review old hymnals, compare them to newer hymnals, and you will see that over time the church does a pretty good job of sifting through dreadful material, and to leave the truly timeless in our hands. Thank God for that work of the Spirit among us! And ask him for the discernment of your music leadership to make good decisions week after week.
It's refreshing to know that it isn't only the "contemporary" church that is writing and learning new melodies for old texts. Open in front of me as I write is a collection called "The Hymn Makers," which the Chancel Choir will receive in this week's rehearsals. In it are settings of hymns by Charles Wesley, John Newton, Isaac Watts and William Cowper, with new melodies by Christopher Norton. Of the 9 texts in the book, only 1 is reasonably well known: Cowper's "God moves in a mysterious way." Another text is becoming well known by means of that guitar-driven movement mentioned above - a good idea to get young people singing this great Newton text, but not providing a worthy tune for it. You may trust me on this.
Beyond that, this collection gives life to hymns that are not appearing in modern hymnals, but that I would hope we do not lose in our worship repertoire. Here is the first of those hymns, which the Choir will be singing in worship sometime this Fall. Some of you will know these words (and our new tune) from Greg Wheatley's program "Sound of Majesty" Thanks, Greg!
Let us love and sing and wonder,
let us sing the Savior's name!
He has hushed the law's loud thunder,
he has quenched Mount Sinai's flame:
He has washed us with his blood,
he has brought us nigh to God.
Let us love, the Lord who bought us,
pitied us when enemies,
called us by his greace and taught us,
gave us ears and gave us eyes:
He has washed us with his blood,
he presents our souls to God.
Let us sing, though fierce temptations
threaten hard to bear us down!
For the Lord, our strong salvation,
holds in view the conqueror's crown:
He who washed us with his blood
soon will bring us home to God.
Let us wonder; grace and justice
join, and point to mercy's store;
when through grace in Christ our trust is,
justice smiles, and asks no more.
He who washed us with his blood
has secured our way to God.
Let us praise, and join the chorus
of the saints enthroned on high;
here they trusted him before us.
Now their praises fill the sky:
"Thou hast washed us with Thy blood;
Thou art worthy, Lamb of God."
John Newton
New songs or old, there's always something to learn and love.
Sing on!
Thank you, Chuck, for thoughtful words on this subject.
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