Pensees: Hymns on Screens

I have yet to understand what the issue is. I can read words on a wall or from a book and it still says the same thing. I guess people just don’t like to see “the writing on the wall”, it gets too personal. It is a subject hardly worth the time to write or talk about.

I vote for hymnal usage instead of projection, although the combination is quite acceptable. Being able to read music (notes) and notations, I enjoy the sound and mix of parts expressing the writer’s and composers intent. Yes, a congregation verbalizing the words as they “follow” the piano is sufficient. But, a song like “How Great Thou Art” sung in parts (as well as MANY others) and specialty songs (upper register — and harmoniously composed) have a special uplifting resonance you cannot derive from some projected pieces. Music has a mood-setting effect (why?) that cannot be realized otherwise. Non-familiar songs is another issue. Many congregations are largely made up of choir members (and former choir members) as well as many who have had music education in their “former lifes”. It would be a shame to toss that enhancement, talent,and enjoyment away by eliminating hymnals. As far as looking down while singing —- a GOOD choir member will look over the music publication and WATCH the director while singing. P.S. “Junk Music” is too easy to inject without good hymnal control…

You got a point there too, Glenn

Glenn,

Good points. On Larry Rogier’s site, I made this comment in response to similar arguments made by “Mark.”

Mark said:

One of the main reasons I like the hymnal is that it allows me to follow the argument of the hymn. Many of the best hymns make doctrinal arguments that span multiple verses, and I regularly refer back to previous verses in the hymn or spend a few seconds after we finish singing to “put it all together.” Projection of single verses (or half of each verse) seems to chop up the message of the hymn and prevent this. (Of course, many gospel songs and praise choruses lack the depth to render this a meaningful argument, but that’s another topic.

I say in response to Mark:

That is a very good point and one argument I will pocket away for usage when we are asked why we still have hymnals in our pews even though we project most of our songs.

Others of Mark’s arguments resonate with me. It enforces my persuasion that the “blended” approach is probably the best way.

In short, the arguments for hymnal usage are good enough to warrant keeping hymnbooks, but not good enough to discard projection. The arguments for projected music are good enough to warrant projection, but not good enough to discard hymnals.

It is my experience that the best of churches do both.

Bob
Not only have you nicely summarized the whole consideration of screen display vs hymnal; you have answered my “(why)” as to the mood setting effect of the hymns and songs. THAT is the message of the hymn/song; the whole reason we are taking the time to sing it; the praise and worship of it. Embelished in great music and poetry, it makes a wonderful prelude (and postlude) to the worship service AND message to be delivered/received; the congregation’s participation and realization… Nuff said by me.