61 Revising the hymnbook--12 suggestions

If your group is considering a new hymnbook or revision of a hymnbook, you might take a look at the Open Letter to the New Worship Hymn Resources of the ELCA by Gracia Grindal, Professor of Rhetoric, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN. She makes twelve strong points concerning hymnbooks revision, and specifically addresses concerns for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Prof. Grindal points out that The New Worship Resources Committee of the ELCA has in its Renewing Worship Songbook taken a narrow view on inclusive language for God representing only one perspective. In an attempt to remove masculine terms, the committee has substituted “Creator” for “Father” and “God” for “Lord.” Grindal supports language that would include both women and men in the hymns, but thinks the battle over the sex of God had been settled nearly 20 years ago, and the committee is ignoring that this is an attempt to change the Christian faith.

She also points out that some proposed hymn revisions are so different, they need to be listed as new hymns, and that the quality of the poetry is troubling. The hymn selections are parochial in the sense contemporary hymns are scarce, but also the Scandinavian Lutheran traditions were left out, favoring the German and English hymns. Grindal complains that there are too many “directional and devotional” hymns and too few homiletical and Biblical hymns.

Finally, she says their timing is terrible. “The making of a hymnal is a huge task. It takes lots of work, heaps of money, and no small amount of courage. That the ELCA would embark on this project while it is embroiled in issues on ministry and sexuality is ill advised. Once again, the work was almost all done before the materials were released for comment.”

And doesn’t that seem to be a consistent theme, regardless of where you go to church?