The 2008 edition of the Baptist Hymnal has been out for several months now and has met with good reviews. LifeWay has also released a version of the same collection of hymns, gospel songs and praise choruses entitled “The Worship Hymnal.” Listen to the NPR radio report “Hymnal Update Stirs Debate Across Baptist Church,” which notes that “nearly half of the pages will be filled with songs never before published by Baptists.”
Perhaps what’s most interesting — and newsworthy — is the online effort to distinguish this hymnal and bring innovation to the practice of releasing hymn collections: LifeWayWorship.com. This new site already has over 900 hymn arrangements, utilizing branded features such as:
- WorshipCharts: printable music PDF files for the conductor’s score and individual instrumental parts. WorshipCharts include Lead Sheets, QuickCharts, Transitions and more.
- WorshipTracks: for churches and ministries that need accompaniment tracks.
- PowerPoint: although definitely not free, the LifeWay Worship PowerPoint CD-Rom will be a good option for many churches: this provides plain text presentations for every hymn and worship song in the LifeWay Worship Project.
LifeWay Worship has a frequently updated blog as well, and a worship planning section that lets pastors, music ministers and worship leaders drag and drop elements while laying out plans for services. Check it out!
Meanwhile the debate will go on, as it always does, regarding the kinds of songs that should be printed in a hymnal. Because each songwriting period and each musical style has gatekeepers and advocates, hymnal committees can never please everyone. No doubt some of the recent music published in the 2008 Baptist/Worship Hymnal will fail the test of time and subsequently get the boot by the time the next is released. Others will stick around. It’s nice to see quality modern songwriters like Stuart Townend and his friends Keith and Kristyn Getty make the cut.Â
Although Sojourn utilizes Power Point rather than hymnals, many Sojourn worship leaders and members of the congregation purchase hymnals for personal, family and small group devotions, hymnological study and songwriting ideas. And for these uses, the 2008 Hymnal, and website, is welcome news.
Read A Review of The 2008 Baptist Hymnal At Isaiahsix.org
Watch LifeWay Worship Director Mike Harland Describe The Project
