From the Archives: "The denominational hymnal losing its binding?"

Each month, our blog features articles from the archives of Liturgy. Our goal is to share the wisdom from decades past so that we might celebrate the work and insights of these excellent ministers and scholars.

Tracing the effect of both “consolidation” in the worship books used by North American denominations and the changes wrought by the ecumenical liturgical movement, Martin Seltz responds to how the new liturgical climate influences the identity of worshipping communities. He traces the common responses of a number of Protestant denominations and language groups, including the Roman Catholic hymnal Lead Me, Guide Me (1987) put together by and for African American church communities. While at the time of this publication (2002), the projection of music on screens was just beginning to be developed, Seltz imagines a time when churches will opt for a variety of media for church music: hymnals and screens and self-published compilations of favorite hymns. He, then, also notes the differing qualities of each and suggests that the vehicle for music that supports congregational singing will alter the identity of denominations. –– Melinda Quivik

Selected Quotes from

“The Denominational Hymnal Losing its Binding?”

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Are denominational hymnals losing their influence not only in binding together a congregation but in signifying the identity and character of a particular communion? How are denominations responding to the changing landscape of print and non-print worship resources? In this brief article I will attempt to trace a trend toward consolidation and some recent countervailing trends, illustrate the response to the current situation through the example of one church body's plans to replace its primary worship resources and offer a few comments on the future of the bound hymnal.

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The "formidable ecumenical consensus" concerning such matters as the church year, a three-year cycle of lectionary readings, a common shape of the liturgy of word and meal and sacramental theology has been an additional impetus toward the preparation of a generation of primary worship resources. As a result, there are recognizably common features even among worship books of this generation that were not jointly prepared.

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Denominations that have historically focused their efforts on preparing a "one size fits all" resource approximately once every generation have begun to consider other alternatives. General supplements to the principal worship books have appeared in several denominations, responding primarily to a desire for new hymns and songs as well as some beloved selections that were not included in previous generations of "official" books. These have included With One Voice (1995, Evangelical Lutheran in America), Wonder, Love and Praise (1997, Episcopal Church), and The Faith We Sing (2000, The United Methodist Church).

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Among African American communities, both Songs of Zion (1981, The United Methodist Church) and Lead Me, Guide Me (1987, published by GIA Publications for Roman Catholic parishes) were embraced and used well beyond their originating communions.

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Recent major Spanish language worship books produced by North American denominations include Mil Voces para Celebrar (1996, The United Methodist Church) and Libro de Liturgia y Cántico (1998, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America).

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A heritage of American individualism and a dash of postmodern distrust of authoritative texts combine to create a situation in which locally produced materials and the development of a local, eclectic repertoire of liturgy and song are becoming more and more widespread. The "hymnal" for a given day no longer has a binding (at most a staple or two), or else it is projected on screen.

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What will become of the denominational hymnal? Will it lose its binding—in a physical sense, through a growing predominance of disposable print materials or non-print options? Will it lose its binding influence—in an ecclesial sense, as congregations move away from this single, visible sign of unity elevated by worshipers week by week?

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A book has personal, devotional usefulness and a tangibility—an aesthetic character composed of kinetic, visual and even olfactory dimensions—that will not be easily replaced. Yet it is clear that worship books will share the field with other forms of delivery.

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Martin A. Seltz was, at the time of this essay, senior editor for worship resources at Augsburg Fortress publishing house of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He played a major role in the development of Evangelical Lutheran Worship, published in 2006.

Martin A. Seltz, “The Denominational Hymnal Losing its Binding?” Liturgy 17, no. 2 (2002): 11–17.

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