Hymnals?

[twc_admin]

Mandy,
Fabulous, balanced response. Thanks SO MUCH for taking the time to contribute ... I think there is a wealth of wisdom in your response. Your comment about how all those college students keep coming .... that those blue hymnals are not scaring them off .. that's it.

I think the most RELEVANT thing we can have is AUTHENTICITY. If we pull a hymnal and sing a song ... and it's authentic, genuine, and full of passion, I think it will attract people!

[Mike Darley]

Mandy,

I agree that a hymnal and projector can work. In your context, many of your members want a hymnal, and you already have them. In my situation, I know most of the members haven't used hymnals for something like ten years, and I've never heard anyone mention missing them. I think the history issues has to do with the songs sung and creeds spoken, not necessarily the mediums used. We have to remember that for much of Christian history the most laymen were illiterate. They would have to learn the songs by memorizing them. There's a thought...let's take away hymnals and projectors and make the congregation memorize the songs. Anyway, I appreciate the perspective.

[russhutto]

Great post Mandy.

I guess it all boils down to the "culture" of worship you are trying to establish, which is directly reflective of the "culture" of worshipers that attend.

It's always been a delicate balancing act, this thing called leadership. Trying to lead in new directions while continuing to embrace the ways of old. Not that either is right or wrong by themselves, but the challenge is in finding ways to communicate timeless truths with changing technology and media.

Although I am all for blending worship styles, there will eventually be a point in history when hymnals are so outmoded that they won't be utilized at all. Think clay tablets, scrolls, rolls of continuous printer paper, room sized computers, steam powered trains, etc.

Not that any of those shouldn't be revisited in the approprote historical context, but eventually projector screens, yamaha motifs, macbooks, ipods, etc. will all be outmoded as well.

That's where the balancing act comes in. Because the church SHOULD BE made up of a wide generational spectrum, how do we engage more than one generation at any given point?

The simple answer is to blend. Application: pretty tough.

[El Ben]

I'm of the same mind as Fred on this one. I think Plurality of leadership is key here. Obviouslly every idea I have for the youth ministry I lead isn't good, that's why I have a leadership team to help me develop vision. Whatever the case is, though, if he ends up wanting hymnals, it'll be up to you to support him.

Just remember: true submission to authority is revealed by how you respond to leadership moves you don't agree with.

[Mike Darley]

I agree that we need to have a plurality of elder. We're moving in that direction. Actually, it will be elder-led, congregational-rule. In other words, anything like a larger financial decision has to be brought before the congregation for a vote. There's actually talk of making me an elder. We'll have to see.

But you're right. If the decision is made, I'll have to submit. My reason for posing the question was to see if there's some angle I hadn't considered........and to get another thread going.

[El Ben]

Just want to make sure. You never know. I'm glad to know you feel that way. I've met way too many people who think they're submitted to authority until authority has an idea that they don't agree with.

[chipshot0701]

The funny thing about the hymnal topic is that our church just bought new ones this year. My mouth dropped when I first heard about each member having to contribute to the cause. IT DROPPED BECAUSE WE HARDLY EVER USED THE OLD ONES!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But because a few people wanted them we did it. Which is why the church is so marvelous of a place to visit. Everyone shares in the interest of all the others!

We don't use them in our contemporary service but I like the ideas that mandy has spoken. Why shouldn't I lead "Amazing Grace" and have everyone turn to their red hymnals and sing along as we sing verses,,,,,,
As Fred said....."I think the most RELEVANT thing we can have is AUTHENTICITY. If we pull a hymnal and sing a song ... and it's authentic, genuine, and full of passion, I think it will attract people!"

[Soli Deo Gloria]

Our church _didn't_ buy the new Hymnal our denomination put out back in 1987. The reason given at the time was that the congregation liked the old one better and the new one was too heavy. So now we've made the jump from an old, 1950's vintage, hymnal to a projection system and completely bypassed the hymnal issue. We have TWO different hymnals in each pewrack (one 50's era and the other 70's) and hardly any of them get cracked open anymore.
The only regret I have is that I learned to sing parts in church, holding that old tattered hymnal. I think many people are missing out on a richer musical experience because only the praise team is allowed to sing harmony.
My idea has long been to put together music folders that we could give to anyone who wanted to have the music. Who knows, maybe there is a budding worship leader sitting there that just doesn't know it yet. But that takes a lot of time and energy and I haven't yet found anyone to take on the challenge.

[chrismoncus]

It's a crazy topic. So many pro's and so many con's. And the pro's and con's switch places depending on your preference, style, abilities, and history.

To me, having the music there doesn't matter at all. I'm not a singer so regardless of how well I read the music, those notes I read aren't what comes out. My wife on the other hand can sight read a sheet of music and sing it. I have never relied on the parts. She embraces them.

It's all relative I guess. Do what the Lord leads you. I bet He has an awesome plan for how to best minister to your congregation. You (we) just have to listen.

[Mike Darley]

The thing is that I'm not aware of any of the people in the congregation can really sing parts. When we do a hymn a lot of our folks who grew up on them sing louder. I've told the worship team to back off the mics to let the congregation carry it. It's beautiful and truly moving, but, trust me, they're not singing parts. They're barely singing melody. The music issue wasn't the reason given for introducing hymnals after about ten years of not having them. My pastor said that hymnals were the only theology books that the congregation may ever hold. Well, I have a couple throughts on this. 1) If they just use them Sunday morning then what's the point? How is it anymore beneficial than seeing the songs on the screen? 2) If we feel that it's important for the congregation to learn systematic theology, shouldn't we offer a class on it? Or some other venue for them to learn it? 3) The Bible is the best theology book they'll ever use. At least I hope they use it.

Anyway, I do appreciate your responses.