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10 Reasons Why We Need a New Hymnal

10 Reasons Why We Need a New Hymnal

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Our Great Redeemer’s Praise represents a welcome recovery and fusion of centuries-old worship patterns with new songs and presentations, which make this hymn collection feel fresh and contemporary. Pre-order your copy from our store today.

1. A new hymnal is long overdue.

Traditionally, every generation produces new hymnals for its churches. They incorporate freshly generated music as well as time-tested classics. Existing hymnals are thirty or more years old. It’s time for a new hymnal, as many hymnals in churches have worn bindings and dated hymn selections and presentations.

2. Releasing a new hymnal reinforces the formative value of traditional worship.

There are two primary worship modes prevalent in churches today: modern praise worship and traditional liturgical worship; with the former emphasizing projected choruses led by a band, and the latter emphasizing hymns with hand-held hymnals led by an organ or piano. This hymnal is ideal for Wesleyan-legacy congregations practicing traditional styles of worship.

3. A new hymnal can represent the broad Wesleyan tradition.

Our Great Redeemer’s Praise incorporates the worshiping traditions of the broad plurality of Wesleyan church traditions allowing for the celebration and discovery of hymns enjoyed from such groups as the United Methodist Church, the Global Methodist Church, Church of the Nazarene, the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the Salvation Army, the Church of God, (Anderson and Cleveland) the Free Methodist Church, etc. Specifically, it includes 100 hymns written or composed by Wesley family members—more than any hymnal produced in the last century. 

4. Our Great Redeemer’s Praise is built from scratch.

This collection was built from the ground up as an all-new approach to hymnal development. It was created through the examination of the hymn indexes of the extant collections; the 400 most broadly repeated hymns common to all legacy hymnals were immediately included, with worship leaders and hymnologists from the various Wesleyan traditions examining the remainder and recommending additions that were special to their denominational traditions.

5. We needed a comprehensive, representative collection.

This hymnal is an exceptional volume of 675 hymns in an 800-page book, with distinctive features, foremost of which is that the hymns are arranged according to the twelve articles of the Apostles’ Creed, which grounds the collection in the statement of faith shared by the church catholic. The extensive collection allowed the incorporation of each church’s beloved hymns.

6. Our Great Redeemer’s Praise has solid theological provenance.

While the hymnal has no denominational sponsorship, it has been developed by a team based at Asbury Theological Seminary. This institution stands at the intersection of all major Wesleyan communions and is uniquely suited to draw upon the participation of the orthodox communities in the Arminian-Wesleyan lineage.

7. Use of new hymnal is an inclusive opportunity for restructuring denominations.

With some mainline churches experiencing fracture, a non-denominational hymnal affords groups to unite in historic worship without reference to contemporary political matters. Indeed, an attempt was made to draw on the best of various traditions so it would feel familiar while refreshing to church members in the 21st century.

8. A new hymnal reminds us that traditional worship is here to stay.

Hymn-based traditional worship is proving to be resilient, with many churches continuing in hymnal-based worship as their sole style of worship or one option among multiple options offered by their congregations. There is even an renaissance of traditional worship among younger generations seeking a more grounded expression of their faith. Families may also use hymnals at home to ground their worship practices around artifacts and experiences that embody their faith.

9. A hymnal is a training tool for discipleship, both in doctrine and spirituality.

The hymnal is recognized as a valuable tool in forming Christians doctrinally. Historically it has has played a vital role in catechizing new members and children alike into the faith once inherited from the saints. While hymns are filled with Scriptural truth and rich theological themes, the additional elements such as prayers, creeds, and benedictions also provide trustworthy formative practices that will deepen the life of Christian discipleship.

10. A hymnal is a refreshing reprise from the encroaching digital world.

We are experiencing what many are calling “digital fatigue.” While almost all of our contemporary communication is delivered on screens, embracing a newly-released hymnal which is classically structured and beautiful to hold is a profound habit that will contribute to our holistic health.

If you would like to sing your spirituality and theology, Seedbed’s new hymnal, Our Great Redeemer’s Praise is now available for pre-order.

This 800-page comprehensive collection includes:

  • 675 hymns for the entire church year
  • A rich treasury of hymns by Charles and John Wesley
  • Wesleyan themes of prevenient, justifying, and sanctifying grace
  • Classic favorite hymns and contemporary selections across the breadth of church history
  • Baptism and Holy Communion liturgies
  • Service music for various occasions
  • A rich collection of creeds, prayers, and benedictions
  • A selection of metrical psalter hymns
  • Hymns organized around the twelve articles of the Apostles’ Creed

Learn more about this hymnal here.

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