A Mainline Pastor from Southern California comments on "Selecting Hymns"

"Selecting Hymns", just the title of this case brings up a lot of issues. I learned early on that choosing hymns puts you in a vulnerable position. People feel strongly about music in worship, and that makes music a volatile area of ministry. Making changes in worship music can sometimes backfire. I’ve done two things over the years that have helped me with hymn selection.

I learned to play the piano so that I could play the hymns that I was considering using. I’ve also always asked a layperson to help me choose the hymns. We usually work about two months ahead. We go over the lessons, and we both make suggestions. Her advice is extremely valuable to me.

About four years ago, our denomination introduced a new supplement to the hymnal. I had been in my present church for about a year, and the congregation wanted me to stay longer. They were very open to following my lead in accepting the supplementary songbook. Now, we use music from both hymnals in every service. I don’t have a "contemporary service" with just one kind of music. We mix music from both hymnals in the same service, and it works well.

One way to introduce new music is to use a "hymn of the month". Choose one new hymn, and sing it every Sunday for a month. Often, after we do that, people have come to feel familiar with the new hymn, and they ask to sing it again!

Looking at the first section of the case, I agree with Charlotte that "something deeper" than just Jan’s concern about the suitability of particular hymns is going on. There seems to be a control issue here. Charlotte is wise to take time to step back and consider this situation carefully.

Jan’s sense of her own significance is probably behind the problem that is developing. The arrival of a new, full-time pastor is obviously threatening to Jan. After all, Jan has been exercising her gifts in service to God by selecting the hymns by herself. It is her responsibility to use her gifts as effectively as she can on behalf of the congregation, and perhaps she sees hymn selection as an important aspect of her ministry.

As a new Senior Pastor, Charlotte probably feels that she has earned the right to be entirely in control of worship planning. With experience, she will learn that the question is not, "Who’s in charge here?", but "What role will I play?". Charlotte will need to learn to step back and look at the bigger picture. Her concern needs to be with keeping the whole body together for its overall mission, not just with exercising her authority for its own sake.

I highly recommend that Charlotte form a Mutual Ministry Committee of about four trusted lay people. This committee can act as a sounding board for Charlotte. The Mutual Ministry Committee can provide information about Jan that might help Charlotte begin to build a collegial relationship with her. Perhaps a member of the committee could approach Jan on Charlotte’s behalf.