At Hurstbourne Christian Church, we are proud of our music program and pride ourselves on creating a worship experience that is meaningful to all of our worshippers. Several times, people have asked me about my philosophy around church music and how I pick the sons to include in worship. Here are some of my guiding principles around hymns over some that may be missing in modern church songs:

Theological Depth:

· Hymns often contain rich theological content and profound expressions of faith. They explore doctrinal themes and biblical narratives, providing a sense of spiritual depth and education.

Poetic and Artistic Language:

· Hymns often feature sophisticated poetic structures and language, making them musically engaging and artistically significant. The careful crafting of hymn lyrics can convey complex theological ideas in an aesthetically pleasing and memorable way. They also make you think about the text and lead you to a deeper study of God’s word.

Corporate Singing:

· Hymns are often written with congregational singing in mind, making them suitable for communal worship. When the entire congregation joins in singing, they can create a sense of unity and participation.

Time-Tested Melodies:

· Hymn melodies have endured and have been sung and cherished for generations. Their familiarity can evoke a sense of nostalgia and comfort for long-time churchgoers.

It's important to note that not all modern church songs lack these elements. Some contemporary worship songs have theological depth, poetic language, and congregational singing ability. Some churches today try to blend hymns and modern songs to create a rich and meaningful worship experience that resonates with worshipers of all ages and backgrounds. There are even modern hymn writers like Keith and Kristyn Getty who are writing beautiful music. While I am not opposed to implementing new songs in our worship, My guiding principle has always been that scriptural-based text and melodic familiarity are comforting elements of our worship services.