I recently read an article, on how giving up our hymnals is not good, and gives 5 things you lose when you give up the hymnals.
Let me address some of them. There are pros and cons to both sides. Our church has both hymnals, and the Power Point. At the beginning of every hymn in the Power Point slide, it gives the page number from the hymnal, so you can use the hymnal if you wish.
Their first thing they say you lose, is an established body of songs. What? How did we lose any?? We actually have 2 or 3 hymnals in our Power Point, and we are free to use any song that is written, and have the freedom and ability to add in more songs. Can you add in more songs to your hymnal?? Nope.
Lose a deep knowledge of the songs. No, we added in other songs, along with the hymns. And, having 2 or 3 hymnals at our disposal is wonderful! Our pastor will often give hymn histories, along with singing the hymn. It makes it so rich and meaningful. Honestly? Looking through the hymnal, even the old ones I grew up with, I don’t know a LOT of the hymns in there.
Lose the ability to do harmonies. If you are a good vocalist, you do not need a hymnal to teach you how to harmonize. If you still want it, grab the hymnal and look at the music. Let’s just say a lot of people can not read music.
While on the subject of reading the music- MOST hymns have been changed (by the musicians) so that you can sing them as a congregation. (I.e. they hold out the ending note, before going to the next verse). Singing as a congregation is totally different than singing a solo, and even a soloist will take liberties with a song. Most times, the hymn is not played according to how it is written.
You lose the ability to sing skillfully. Read my above - most people can’t read music. Also, usually the hymn is not played according to how it is written. You are always welcome to grab a hymnal, and learn to read music there.
You lose the ability to have the songs in your home. Well, you are always welcome to purchase a hymnal, and have some good old worship time in your home. Our church would update the hymnals, a few times over the years, as they would get worn out, or the songs were outdated. We offered them for free to families to take home.
Let’s look at some of the positive aspects of having Power Point hymns on the wall.
1. You are more free to raise one or both hands in worship. Yes, you can raise 1 hand while holding the hymnal in the other. You just are more free to worship.
2. You are able to clap your hands during a song. Holding a hymnal makes this difficult. :)
3. Some people get lost in a hymnal, with repeats, and dc al codas, etc. In Power Point, it’s all in there in the proper order.
4. You can move to a song quicker, and are more able to let the Spirit lead. Rather than taking the time to call out a page number. This is especially helpful when the worship team does a medley of like songs. You can put them together, and transition from one song to the next without calling out the next song/page number. Let the Holy Spirit be free to move!
