Peter Relf’s thoughts after the 25th anniversary of the Pratt Green Trust

As he was leaving Coventry Cathedral on 28 March 2009, an Ichthus reader said to me that he looked forward to seeing a report on the day’s celebration of the Pratt Green trust in a future edition. It was literally a ‘passing remark’. I could spend this page describing the events, but the Spring 2009 issue of Ichthus announced much of that. When it came to the day, over 600 people attended the event, coming face to face with hymn and song writers and taking part in a grand climax of worshipping God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

In addition to the large congregation, there was an excellent choir accompanied by brass, timpani and organ, offering resounding praises through anthems, hymns and songs – many written and composed by people who were there with us.  This was a glorious tribute to the work begun by Fred Pratt Green himself – to 25 years of furthering the cause of hymnody.

There were several points of significance for me from the day. First, I was struck by the wealth of modern hymn-writing and song-writing in recent times. It made me realise that there are many worthwhile, beautiful and moving hymns and songs that I’ve not yet come across.  I also know there are a fair number that I wish hadn’t made it into print… 

So, if you have come across a new hymn or song whose words and/or music are worth sharing, please let us know about it (including publication details).  Over time, Ichthus and the LWPT website could build up a list of hymns and songs for different occasions and themes that come recommended by you as leaders of worship and preachers.  A letter, or email to the editorial team, plus use of the website feedback form are all ways you could share material that you know can work well in worship.  Please do get in touch.  It can only happen if you contact us!

Second, I noticed some gentle rivalry between hymns and songs that went a bit like this:
•    hymns can be much better than songs at expressing theology, at theological content;
•    songs can be much better than hymns at creating mood (e.g. joy, meditation etc).

That made me think about how I use hymns and songs in worship.  It’s all too easy to treat them merely as alternatives: in this part of the service we’ll sing either a hymn or a song.  It doesn’t matter which. We’ll just sing something or other. Instead, I could consider whether content or mood is more important, and then choose appropriately. I was interested to hear Graham Kendrick suggest ‘both and’ i.e. hymn and song in succession. He described moving musically from a hymn, with its theological content, into a contemplative song on a similar theme, creating a new integral whole – mind and heart. If there are musicians available who can modulate and improvise, preachers and worship leaders could let their talents help draw congregations into a closer encounter with God.

Third, I found it challenging that for some people, ‘not much happens in worship’.  This comment suggests that congregation members are not being helped to worship, to draw close to God, to pause and ‘wait on the Lord’, to be led by the Holy Spirit.  At best, preachers, worship leaders and musicians can help breathe spiritual meaning and delight in the ways songs and hymns are arranged and led.  We can be sensitive to atmosphere and ‘flow’ (even within a hymn or song, and especially across a range of worship ingredients).

Fourth, I heard an interesting conversation about rehearsing new hymns and songs.  It is possible to rehearse in a way that is entirely technical, e.g. getting melodies and words together accurately.  Some churches have a separate time when people are invited to rehearse new material, but that can too easily attract only a few people.  On the other hand, a rehearsal can also be done worshipfully within a service, and then it doesn’t become an interruption or an additional activity that detracts from the point of being together.  It all needs trust between worship leader, musicians and the congregation themselves.

Now I hope you can see that even if you were not able to be in Coventry Cathedral on this occasion, some key points were being raised that affect us wherever we lead worship and preach.  Please do get in touch about these points and about other issues you’d like to see aired in Ichthus.  This page shows that editorial team members do take notice of what you say – and act upon it too!

Peter Relf is a Methodist Local Preacher in the Mansfield Circuit