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06407 August 15, 2006
Sing to the Lord a new song?
Clergy and laity are divided on need for a new PC(USA) hymnal
by Jerry L. Van Marter
LOUISVILLE * Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) laypersons and ministers disagree about whether the church needs a new worship hymnal, according to a Presbyterian Panel survey released this week by the denominations Research Services office.
In the survey * conducted in August 2005 * a majority of lay panelists said they thought it "not too likely" or "not at all likely" that the PC(USA) will need a new hymnal by 2013. Among ministers the pattern is reversed, with majorities responding "very likely" or "generally likely" on the question.
Around a third of laity (30 percent of members and 33 percent of elders) and half of ministers (47 percent of pastors and 49 percent of specialized clergy) are personally "very interested" or "generally interested" in a new Presbyterian hymnal.
The recent 217th General Assembly in Birmingham authorized an eight-year process toward producing a new hymnal and a new Internet-based hymn resource.
The current PC(USA) hymnal was published in 1990. Of the 95 percent of Presbyterian congregations that use a hymnal in worship, more than two-thirds use the 1990 book. Most panelists in congregations where the 1990 hymnal is used said they were either "very satisfied" or "satisfied" with it (64 percent of members and elders and 55 percent of pastors.
Most congregations use a second hymnal or hymn supplement in worship. The most commonly used are Sing the Faith (2003, 18 percent), Lift Up Your Hearts (1999, 11 percent) and the 1955 Presbyterian Hymnbook (11 percent).
When it comes to hymnal supplements, laity are most interested in gospel music (49 percent of members and 52 percent of elders); new liturgical materials (40 percent, 52 percent); contemporary praise choruses (39 percent, 55 percent); hymns from other countries (22 percent, 29 percent); and Taize music (10 percent, 15 percent).
In contrast, pastors are looking for new liturgical materials (69 percent), contemporary praise choruses (65 percent), gospel music (60 percent), Taize music (57 percent) and hymns from other countries (44 percent).
Among those who think a new hymnal is needed, the reasons most often given are:
Younger worshipers will want more contemporary hymns;
Newer hymns will have been written and need to be included;
Congregational song preferences will have shifted such that many worshipers will want a different collection of hymns; and
Different hymns will be needed to reflect the changing cultural/racial/ethnic composition of the church.
Among panelists who don't think a new hymnal will be needed by 2013, the reasons cited are:
The Presbyterian Hymnal will continue to be contemporary;
Hymnal supplements will be available for those who want newer hymns;
Fewer congregations will want a denominational hymnal, opting instead to put together their own collection of hymns; and
More congregations will project hymns on a screen and will not need a printed hymnal.
Majorities agree that "a denominational hymnal is an important resource for the formation of Christian identity" (65 percent of members, 72 percent of elders, 77 percent of pastors and 88 percent of specialized clergy).
Fewer agree that "a denominational hymnal is an important resource for the formation of denominational identity (50 percent, 57 percent, 74 percent, 72 percent).
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