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GA06037
Theological Issues and Institutions
Committee approves starting new hymnal and e-hymnal
By Bill Lancaster
BIRMINGHAM, June 17 * After performing a double reverse, the Theological Issues and Institutions committee of the 217th General Assembly regrouped and approved action for a new hymnal.
The committee first considered a motion to approve beginning the process of creating a new hymnal, which it defeated after long discussion. The committee then considered a motion to disapprove moving to a new hymnal, which it also defeated.
Being in parliamentary limbo, the committee did what Presbyterians do best * broke for supper. After eating and considering one or two other matters, the committee reconsidered the issue and approved a motion to begin the hymnal-building process, with two amendments.
One amendment adds two members younger than age 25 to the hymnal committee. The other amendment makes the development of an e-hymnal a top priority.
Concerns about the new hymnal centered on a few issues. Because it takes eight years to develop and publish a hymnal, some wondered how it could meet the needs of worshipers now and still connect with young people eight years from now. Someone noted that a young person on the committee at the beginning of the process wouldn’t be so young at the end.
The other concern was for an electronic version of the hymnal that could be used on screens in worship, and that was added. A second action, an overture from the Presbytery of Miami, called for an Internet-based resource for congregational singing. This action also was approved.
The original recommendation came from the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation (PPC). The recommendation said the "hymnal committee would be encouraged to exhibit sensitivity to the need for inclusive language, the diversity of worship styles regnant in the church today, the richness of multicultural and global forms of worship, the enduring value of traditional hymnody, the importance of the Psalter, and the distinctiveness of the Reformed theological tradition."
Some on the committee were concerned that no subsequent General Assembly would be permitted to approve the specific content of the new hymnal.
The last hymnal was published in 1990. The new hymnal is expected to be published in 2014, although small, introductory sections of it likely will be published earlier.
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