An apology, A retraction and a blog.

1. Firstly I'd like to apologise. I did promise to blog this at the end of last week. I had final assignments and dissertation in uni so I didn't have any time to post...Better late than ever.


2. Secondly in a recent blog entitled Worship - Being accurate in what we sing where I said I didn't like the phrase of Gods heart breaking. However it has been pointed out to me that God does reference to his heart breaking in the old testament. For this I am sorry. I suppose it just shows that we have to constantly look at our opinions and reform them as our biblical knowledge increases.


3. So down to the blog. Basically here are some common comments or questions that I've come across regarding singing old songs. I hope you find them useful. Obviously they are just my opinion and you are free to disagree.


As a preface, let me make clear that I am not against new and modern songs. Some of the people I look up to most in worship are still alive today. I go to a church where we sing modern and older songs and I love that we have both.




Won't people just get confused by some of the big words in the songs, especially if their new christians?
Firstly, it is definitely true that for new christians, some biblical terms are new and confusing. But I don't believe that the way around this is just not to sing the songs. Instead, perhaps explain some of the difficult terms before you sing the song. It doesn't have to be long and it only needs to take a minute. That way you are tackling people's confusion and not just avoiding it.  Also it is worth pointing out that there are versions that use different words which are designed to be more contemporary and easier to understand. These have their place and can be really useful. Personally I feel that sometimes, these versions lose some of their meaning. 




The older hymns have a really old style of music that doesn't fit in with the style that my congregation sings.
Again it is true that some of the tunes and styles of writing of hymns are old and sometimes even complicated. There are three great ways around this. One is to contemporise the original tune. For ideas on this why not listen to some of the Enfield Hymn Sessions by resolved music. They have modernised the tunes of songs such as And Can It Be and O The Deep Deep Love Of Jesus.  Alternatively you could find a new tune already written.  There are plenty of these around, some good some not so great. My favourite is  Phatfish and their new tune to To God Be The Glory.  The third option is to try your hand at writing your own tune. I think its really important for people who lead worship or are involved in worship to be writing their own songs. Firstly you will always write for your congregation and secondly I think it can be massively beneficial for you personally, I know that is my experience. 




Older hymns aren't relevant in todays society. We've moved on!
In response to this, I'd say that any song that is based around the truth of God's word and glorifies him is relevant today.  The need for people to find and trust in Jesus is no less today than it was a hundred years ago.  People who feel trapped by sin still need to be re-assured that 
"The vilest offender who truly believes, 
that moment from Jesus a pardon receives" 
     And all christians in anticipation for heaven can belt out 
"When He comes our glorious King, 
All his ransomed home to bring, 
Then anew this song we'll sing
HALLELUJAH what a Saviour!"




Older Hymns are always too long and people tend to get bogged down by them.
Again there are definitely those hymns that seem to go on forever. Some even have 12 verses each eight lines long. True these can make even the most enthusiastic worshipper weary but why not try singing those verses which are more relevant to the topic or series you are covering.  There are also those verses which can always be left out. For example in our church,  when we sing the song  How Great Thou Art, we leave out the verse which talks about the birds in the trees. It just seems to make more sense going from God in creation to Jesus sacrifice on the cross to His return as ruler of all.  The other verse just doesn't seem to fit there.




I don't like hymns so I wont sing them when I lead worship.
This is the type of comment that saddens me most. To people who say this firstly I would encourage you to remember that worship isn't about the date the song was written but about its content. If a song glorifies God and magnifies Christ as our only saviour then it is worth singing. If the song speaks the truths of the bible describing how sinners sick with sin can be healed and redeemed by the blood of the Lamb then it is worth shouting from the rooftops.


Above all we should remember that God is to be glorified in our worship. He is to be the centre because...well, He is. He is the one who gives me the ability to type on this computer. He is the one who has given me breath, clothes, food, family and friends.


How good is the God we adore,
Our faithful unchangeable Friend!
His love is as great as His power,
And knows neither measure nor end!