I’m getting out of the way here as fast as I can.

What do you say? —-

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE DO AWAY WITH THE HYMNALS.

The shift away from hymnals in religious worship marks a significant change in how congregations approach communal singing. Beyond being songbooks, hymnals held a unique place in worship, offering carefully curated music, cultural richness, and a sense of tradition. However, this transition comes at the cost of losing key elements that once defined the worship experience.

Established Body of Vetted Songs:

◦ Hymnals traditionally consisted of a carefully curated collection of songs that had been selected and vetted over time for their theological accuracy, spiritual depth, and congregational suitability. These hymns often conveyed the doctrinal beliefs and values of a particular religious tradition.

◦ With the move away from hymnals, there may be a sense of losing this established body of songs that were once integral to the identity of the religious community.

Deep Knowledge and Ability to Sing from Memory:

◦ Hymnals served as a tangible resource for congregants to refer to during worship, but they also facilitated the memorization of songs over time. This resulted in a deep knowledge of the lyrics and tunes, enabling the congregation to sing from memory.

◦ The shift away from hymnals may contribute to a decline in the ability to recall and sing songs from memory, potentially affecting the depth of connection and engagement during worship.

Harmonization and Singing in Different Parts:

◦ Hymnals typically included musical notation for both the melody and harmonies, encouraging congregants to sing in different parts. This practice fostered a sense of musical richness and diversity within the worship experience.

◦ The absence of hymnals might lead to a decline in congregational ability to harmonize and sing in multiple parts, potentially limiting the musical diversity and depth of worship.

Richness and Diversity of Hymnody:

◦ Hymnals often encompassed a broad range of songs from various eras, traditions, and cultures. This diversity added a richness to worship, allowing congregations to draw from a wide musical heritage.

◦ The move away from hymnals could result in a narrower selection of songs, potentially limiting the exposure to diverse musical expressions and theological perspectives.

Liturgical Structure and Theological Education:

◦ Hymnals often followed a deliberate order that corresponded with the liturgical calendar or specific themes in religious worship. This structure helped convey theological concepts and educated congregants about the faith journey through the progression of songs.

◦ The abandonment of hymnals might result in a loss of this structured theological education and the intentional sequencing of songs, potentially impacting the depth of understanding and reflection during worship.

Accessibility for All Ages:

◦ Hymnals were typically designed to be accessible to a wide range of age groups within a congregation. The inclusion of hymns with varying levels of complexity allowed for the participation of both children and adults in worship.

◦ Without hymnals, there may be a challenge in finding a balance that caters to the diverse musical abilities and preferences of different age groups within the congregation.

Congregational Participation and Engagement:

◦ Hymnals facilitated congregational participation by providing a common resource that everyone could follow. The physical act of opening a hymnal and singing together created a sense of unity and shared experience.

◦ The shift away from hymnals might impact congregational engagement, as individuals may find it more challenging to follow along with lyrics or participate actively without a common visual reference.

Cultural and Historical Connection:

◦ Hymnals often contained songs that reflected the cultural and historical context of the religious community. These hymns served as a connection to the past, preserving traditions and providing a sense of continuity.

◦ The move away from hymnals might result in a disconnect from the cultural and historical roots embedded in the songs, potentially diminishing a sense of continuity and identity within the religious community.

Personal and Corporate Worship Integration:

◦ Hymnals were versatile tools that could be used both individually and collectively. Congregants could use hymnals for personal devotion or family worship, fostering a seamless integration of religious songs into various aspects of daily life.

◦ The absence of hymnals might require intentional efforts to bridge the gap between personal and corporate worship, ensuring that religious songs continue to be part of individuals’ spiritual lives beyond the formal church setting.

Scriptural Integration:

◦ Hymnals often included songs directly inspired by or quoting scriptures, providing a musical expression of biblical themes and narratives. This integration of scripture into worship through hymns helped reinforce the teachings and stories of the faith.

◦ The move away from hymnals may result in a reduced emphasis on scriptural connections in worship songs, potentially impacting the depth of biblical engagement during communal singing.

Adaptability and Spontaneity:

◦ Hymnals allowed for spontaneity and adaptability in worship by providing a comprehensive collection of songs for various occasions. Worship leaders and congregants could easily flip through hymnals to select songs that were relevant to a particular theme, event, or mood.

◦ The transition away from hymnals might require a more deliberate selection of songs in advance, potentially limiting the flexibility and spontaneity in responding to the dynamic needs of a worship service.

Musical Literacy:

◦ Hymnals, with their musical notations, contributed to the development of musical literacy within congregations. Congregants had the opportunity to learn and understand musical elements such as rhythm, melody, and harmony.

◦ The absence of hymnals might lead to a decline in musical literacy within the congregation, potentially impacting the appreciation and understanding of the musical aspects of worship.

Familiarity and Comfort:

◦ Hymnals provided a sense of familiarity and comfort as congregants often grew up singing certain hymns that became deeply ingrained in their religious experience. The shared history of singing these hymns created a sense of continuity and comfort.

◦ The shift away from hymnals might require intentional efforts to create a new sense of familiarity and comfort with the repertoire of songs, potentially impacting the emotional connection during worship.

Cultural and Linguistic Diversity:

◦ Hymnals often contained songs from various cultural and linguistic backgrounds, allowing for a diverse and inclusive worship experience. This diversity helped congregations appreciate the global nature of the Christian faith.

◦ Without hymnals, there may be a need for intentional efforts to ensure the inclusion of songs from different cultures and languages, fostering a sense of unity and diversity within the worshiping community.

Physical Symbolism:

◦ Hymnals had a physical presence in religious gatherings, representing a shared resource and symbolizing the communal act of worship. The act of holding and flipping through hymnals created a tangible connection between the congregation and the musical aspects of worship.

◦ The move away from physical hymnals might impact the symbolic nature of congregational singing, and congregations may need to find alternative ways to create a tangible and communal connection during worship.

In summary, the transition away from hymnals in religious worship can impact the integration of scripture, adaptability, musical literacy, familiarity, cultural diversity, and the physical symbolism associated with congregational singing. Addressing these aspects may require intentional planning and creative solutions to ensure a rich and meaningful worship experience for congregants.

— Joshua Gilbert. GREAT HYMNS AND SONGS OF THE FAITH

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