2013 Hymnal Conceptual Guidelines

The resources will include hymns, praise choruses, chants, and songs that help articulate the church’s identity, message, mission and beliefs. For more information see the mission, message, identity, and beliefs paper “We Share.”

The texts and tunes will represent the diversity and global nature of Community of Christ. These cross-cultural resources will enable sharing with “one voice” while, at the same time, helping to expand our world view. Through hymnody and songs, we will honor and affirm our rich heritage as members of a universal body of Christ as well as our identity in the Restoration movement. The resources will also speak clearly to the current context of human life, using metaphors and rhythms of the twenty-first century and the church’s place in contemporary society.

Undergirding this endeavor is an understanding of the importance of song in our journey and the vital role rich 4-part singing has had in our congregations and gatherings. We will strive to achieve a balance of old and new, celebration and contemplation, and a variety of styles, being mindful in the process that the words we sing are foundational.

The 2013 hymnal will articulate the church’s identity, mission, message and beliefs by:

·        encompassing the distinctiveness of Community of Christ’s theological tradition.

·        representing the global membership of Community of Christ and the diversity within the church.

·        honoring and affirming the heritage of hymns within Community of Christ, the wider Christian tradition, and other faith traditions.

·        including songs that are appropriate for congregational singing.

·        providing needed resources for worship services throughout the liturgical year.

·        voicing story, metaphor and texts that support the various worship moments in the life of the church.

·        ensuring words and music are relevant to disciple and Christian community formation in today’s world.

·        being sensitive to the need for inclusivity in references to humanity, relationships, and the Divine.

·        presenting texts and tunes that represent with integrity the period of history and/or cultural context from which they come.