Applications Sought for Hymnal Revision Committee Members

NASHVILLE, Tenn. Aug. 24, 2016 /Discipleship Ministries/ – Discipleship Ministries is accepting applications for committee members who will revise The United Methodist Hymnal with a new collection of hymns and rituals that allows United Methodists to more deeply engage as disciples and proclaimers of the gospel through their singing and worship.

Members of the Hymnal Revision Committee will be selected this fall by Discipleship Ministries, The United Methodist Publishing House, the Council of Bishops, and the Association of United Methodist Theological Schools.

According to The Book of Discipline, Discipleship Ministries has editorial supervision of the contents of hymnals and books of worship submitted for approval by General Conference. The United Methodist Publishing House shares in the editorial work of developing a new hymnal by hiring the editor.

“Our church is incredibly diverse, and the Hymnal Revision Committee should reflect the diversity we know and experience as United Methodists,” said Jackson Henry, director of music ministries for Leadership Ministries, a division of Discipleship Ministries. “Church music is not monolithic. Knowledge of the ever-changing nature of styles of music within the church is a necessary part of the vocation and identity of every church musician.”

Applications for nominees appointed by Discipleship Ministries are available online at [EDIT: applications are now closed]. Completed applications must be returned by email to [email protected] no later than Sept. 15.

The Hymnal Revision Committee will consist of 15 members, seven of which will be appointed by Discipleship Ministries. The agency’s board of directors will approve its appointees at their October meeting, and approved applicants will be notified and given further information about the opening meeting shortly afterward.

Members of the Hymnal Revision Committee must have these areas of expertise:

Liturgical Understanding – Substantial experience with and understanding of the ritual resources and ritual standards of The United Methodist Church as approved by the General Conference

Musical Understanding – Expected to understand or be able to work with a wide range of genres of congregational songs reflective of the many cultures, languages and people groups that make up the worldwide United Methodist Church, especially but not only as represented in the United States of America

Applicants are being sought for a committee that will be:

• Grounded in our theological, hymnological and ritual heritage;
• Diverse in age, culture, region and language
• Expert, across its membership, in various genres of congregational song and ritual used across the worldwide United Methodist Church

“Our hymnal is more than just a collection of Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. It is an expression of our common worship, the meeting place for doctrine, theology, music and ritual,” Henry said. “We at Discipleship Ministries are excited to begin the work alongside and with the committee because their commitment to this process also inspires us in our work.”

The mission of Discipleship Ministries is to support annual conference and local church leaders for their task of equipping world-changing disciples. An agency of The United Methodist Church, Discipleship Ministries is located at 1908 Grand Ave. in Nashville, Tenn. For more information, visit www.UMCdiscipleship.org, the Press Center at www.UMCdiscipleship.org/about/press-center or call the Communications Office at (877) 899-2780, Ext. 1726.

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