CRC Employees Sing New Songs

April 30, 2009 – About 50 Christian Reformed Church employees at the CRC’s Grand Rapids, Mich., office had the opportunity this week to sing some new songs that might one day be included in a joint CRC/Reformed Church in America hymnal.

The employees gathered in a conference room at the office Wednesday afternoon and, before starting to sing, were given a preview of Contemporary Songs for Worship, a new songbook published by Faith Alive Christian Resources, the publishing agency of the CRC.

“We have been working on a new hymnal for the CRC and RCA for two years. This new book is one way to help us figure out the best way to deal with contemporary songs in the hymnal,” said Joyce Borger, worship and music editor for Faith Alive Christian Resources.

Three other books, containing different types of songs and music, will be published as part of the winnowing process. The actual hymnal won’t be available until 2013.

“The books we are putting out are small and cheap ($5) and will be used as a way for us to get feedback,” said Borger. “People can suggest songs and music. It is important for us to hear from the churches.”

Led by Paul Ryan from Calvin College, the group of CRC employees began by singing “In Christ Alone,” a contemporary song written in 2002 by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend.

“In Christ alone my hope is found, he is my light, my strength, my song, this cornerstone, this solid ground,” sang the group.

Later in the song, they sang, “My comforter, my all in all, here in the love of Christ I stand.” As they sang, they were accompanied on instruments by three Calvin College worship interns.

Ryan, who didn’t play an instrument, is editor of the new book which contains a collection of 37 songs for congregational singing.

“Many of the songs in this book capture a moment of life in the church. They are a snapshot of what we are singing and what is new and what is legitimate,” he said during a break in the singing. “Contained in here are praise songs, as well as songs of confession and dedication. Songs in this book could be sung during baptisms or the Lord’s Supper.”

Borger said that the songfest at the Grand Rapids office was only one of many opportunities for people in the CRC to try out the music in the book. The collection of songs, she said, is available to all churches and, after singing them a few times, people are asked to tell Borger what they think of the songs. They are also asked to fill out a survey that can be found at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=PJP18hbrl41QYYoG34wzgQ_3d_3d.

The desire, she said, is to create a hymnal that is “deep enough to give voice to our praises and laments, be both sung prayer and proclamation, and play a significant role in the faith formation of Reformed Christians old and young alike.”

Ryan said most of the songs in the book are less than 25 years old. “The tunes are popular. They are born out of the pop-rock genre. There are songs by popular and emerging artists,” he said.

Synod 2007 approved plans for the new hymnal, which will likely contain creeds and liturgies that the RCA and CRC have in common.

“All of the songs in the new book are consistent with our Reformed confessions,” said Ryan. “In it, we try to represent all the different movements in worship – gathering, praise, confession. There are songs of assurance and celebration.”

Voices rose and fell in unison as Ryan led CRC employees through a few of the songs. Near the end, they sang a song written Ron Reinstra, who preceded Ryan in his job at Calvin. Called “The Lord Be with You,” it a simple but movingly sacred song of invitation.

“The Lord be with you, and also with you,” it begins. Then, it moves on: “Lord of heaven and earth be worshipped in this place. The covenant of grace be renewed. The Lord be with you.”

For more information on the new songbook, visit:

http://www.faithaliveresources.org/Contemporary-Songs-for-Worship

For more information on the new hymnal:

http://www.crcna.org/pages/hymnal.cfm

To offer comments or ask questions, email: jborger@crcna.org.

--Chris Meehan, CRC Communications

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