A New Hymnal . . . Are We Together?

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Speaking of the General Conference vote for a new United Methodist hymnal this past week, a Methodist Musicians List subscriber wrote, "I'm worried about the tightness of the vote.... This is not an overwhelmingly positive response and does not bode well for the future of the hymnal. . ."

What can we make of the vote? The vote in favor of a new hymnal was 57% to 43%. This is not an unusually large or small margin for General Conference. Many votes were substantially closer, but nonetheless passed and determined future direction. That is how we United Methodists agree to do our work -- by a vote of the majority. And as the subscriber alluded in his message, such a margin in a Clinton versus Obama primary would be considered not close at all, but a "double-digit blow-out!" It should be noted that the petition was passed in the legislative committee by a vote of 67 in favor and 1 opposed.

There is no way of knowing why some delegates voted against it. I've heard a number of reasons, including the following:

• It's too soon. There are plenty of songs in the hymnal yet to learn.
  
• It's too expensive. Small churches can't afford to buy new hymnals.
  
• We shouldn't be doing another print hymnal when it will be out of date as soon as it's published.
  
• Technology calls for digital and satellite, not print.
  
• The current hymnal is a great hymnal. Don't tinker with it yet.
  
• Smaller supplemental songbooks will allow for a greater diversity and number of hymns and songs available.

There were a number of reasons why the board members of Discipleship Ministries and The United Methodist Publishing House brought this proposal to General Conference. The two main ones were:

• Musical style of congregational song has changed dramatically in recent years. The current hymnal does not meet the current and future need.
  
• Updating the contents of the hymnal is one way to reach out to younger generations and many newer congregations, most of which have adopted contemporary music and worship formats. If the new hymnal comes back to General Conference as planned in 2012 and is approved for publication and release in 2013, our present hymnal will be 24 years old.

General Conference was clear that this U.S.A. hymnal is to:

1. "Recognize the changes in music and liturgy"
   
2. "Remember and celebrate our rich Wesleyan . . . traditions"
   
3. "Incorporate new expressions of worship in new and revitalized congregations to engage all persons, including new, younger, and diverse people leading on to other resourcing."
   
4. "Appeal across cultural, geographical, age, and congregation settings."
   
5. "Incorporate the newest technologies."

General Conference was also clear that "additional future work for other regions of the worldwide UMC" is to follow. So this hymnal is not a stopping point, but more of a way station. Additional work must be done. There is wisdom and balance in the action of General Conference in approving this proposal. As the committee is constituted and as the work progresses, anticipation and interest in the new hymnal will grow.