In recent years many churches have nearly replaced hymns with praise and worship choruses. The idea isn’t all bad. Choruses help meet the need for greater spontaneity, depth of emotion, and congregational involvement. I for one, however, do not want to see the traditional hymn entirely displaced. Here are 10 reasons to keep hymns in our worship services:
1. Great hymns keep us in touch with our Christian heritage.
"A Mighty Fortress" takes us back to the Reformation and allows us to hear the words of Martin Luther. "Joyful, joyful" exposes us to the music of’ Beethoven and allows us to revel in the melodic mastery of one of the great composers in church history. The hymns of Charles Wesley immerse us in the spirit of the Wesleyan revival. Hymns remind us of our founders, our history, and our doctrinal distinctives.
2. Hymns expose us to some o the greatest music ever written.
"Joyful, Joyful" is Beethoven’s "Ode to Joy." "Be Still, My Soul" is Jean Sibelius’ melody, "Finlandia." Our hymns set before us music from past centuries, from the turn of the century, and from the present decade. Choruses lack that rich, broad musical variety. Keep reading
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