Singing the Faith

Last month The Royal School of Church Music published the results of its questionnaire ‘Church Music: Sound Ministry?’.  Over two hundred churches sent in their responses; some were unsurprising such as the growing lack of new organists alongside the increased use of music groups.  Perhaps one of the most enlightening sections dealt with the choice of music at funerals.  Requests included the theme tunes from Star Wars, Doctor Who and The Benny Hill Show!  However, clergy said they turned down the song ‘Combined Harvester’ by The Wurzels – seems to me that might have been appropriate for a Somerset farmer!

The music we share together in church is important.  It has the power to unite a congregation in a sublime moment of corporate worship.  It can also lead to division and heart ache with faithful members feeling disenfranchised as newer material sweeps away deeply cherished and formative hymns.  That search for balance between traditional and contemporary is a central task for anyone who leads worship now a days.

Only last week I had two comments about songs and hymns after the service.  One person told me she knew all the actions to the Sunday School song I quoted in the sermon and another shared her love of the hymn we had sung, ‘What a friend we have in Jesus’, because it had meant so much to her during her nursing days. 

So often the faith that has developed in our lives has found itself rooted and expressed in the hymns we sing.  For many of us they become our creedal statements.

The other week a small group of us at AFC devised a LunchBreak programme under the title ‘Sing a New Hymn or Song’.  For twenty minutes we sang five newish pieces – including a Peruvian Gloria and Townend’s lyrical version of Psalm 23.  There was a buzz afterwards as people talked about the ones they liked and didn’t – most seemed to go away with smiles on their faces glad to have shared together in song.

Three reactions from that LunchBreak programme have stayed with me – perhaps this is my equivalent to the RSCM survey! 

One – we sang a contemporary song with a great tune, in fact one of my favourites.  Yet it was pointed out to me that although written within the last decade and sang at events such as Spring Harvest the words had a real Victorian feel about them.  I wonder, do we like hymns and songs more for the tunes than the words?

Two – we used a super hymn expressing our longing for ‘inclusivity’ in the church – each verse ending with the statement ‘All are welcome’.  Afterwards in discussion it became clear that some of us felt this was too idealistic a statement and they felt uncomfortable singing something they sensed wasn’t entirely true.  I value such integrity.

Three – many commented on how much they appreciated an Iona hymn we sang.  The combination of a sing-able folk tune to new, provocative, beautiful and yet honest words seemed to encourage many of us.

I love hymns and songs and can’t imagine worship without them and am deeply grateful for hymn writers old and new for giving us such a wonderful tool with which we can express our faith. Long may we continue to sing both old and new songs together.

With best wishes,

 

Ian