The Worshiping Church: A Hymnal - Worship Leaders' Edition

Every hymnal may be expected to have a reasonable lifetime, during which it meets the needs of congregations, and after which it must be replaced by another book that has been designed to serve the next generation. At certain points in history there has been reason to produce a hymnbook that is both new and revolutionary. The Worshiping Church: A Hymnal has been planned for such a time as this.

In many of the historic denominational fellowships, congregations are returning to the psalms and canticles of the Bible for expressions of praise and prayer. We have also experienced a flood of popular congregational styles, including contemporary gospel songs and the short hymns — often scriptural — that are called "Praise and Worship Music." By bringing together a generous amount of all these forms in one large volume, we offer congregations a broad spectrum of musical expression that is comparable to that of the first-century church, which sang "psalms and hymns and spiritual songs" (Col. 4:16, Eph. 5:10).

We are convinced that the essential spiritual communication of a hymn is found mostly in its words. Consequently, we have emphasized the use of hymn texts that are understandable and acceptable to our generation. We have also offered a number of hymns that appear as poems, and may be read in corporate, as well as in personal, worship. Most of these texts may also be sung to familiar tunes that have been suggested on the printed page.

Every church is made up of persons with differing tastes in music. For this reason, The Worshiping Church: A Hymnal contains wide variety in melody, rhythm and harmony. In all types of hymns, there is a strong emphasis on music that is "folklike," with the potential to become accepted by a congregation; this has been a particular aim in selecting new tunes.

On behalf of the entire Christian community, we express our appreciation to...[those] who have used their unique talents in the preparation of this volume. They join with us in the prayer that God will use this hymnal in the renewing of the Church, in both its spiritual life and the expression of that life in worship.

Binding: Hardcover