LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2004, Page 56

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56 SYNODICAL REPORTS

this same convention the delegates were the first to use Hymnal
Supplement 98, a new resource of services and hymns prepared by
the Commission as the first step toward the preparation of a new
hymnal.

In 2001 the Commission reported on the progress that had been
made toward the development of the new hymnal and agenda. In
response the Synod adopted Res. 2-06, which received the Com-
mission’s report and authorized field-testing of materials. This res-
olution was passed in accord with the specific requirements of
Bylaw 3.929 a, which requires that a field-testing plan be approved
prior to giving official status to a hymnal and agenda.

The Commission and its committees have made substantial
progress during the past triennium. The final proposal for both the
hymnal and agenda represents an enormous effort by a large num-
ber of individuals. Rough calculations are that during the past five
years the five committees have spent some 14,000 man-hours in
meetings. This does not include time spent on conference calls or
on individual assignments. The Internet has been an invaluable
asset to the project, with thousands of messages exchanged. Con-
gregations and schools also contributed toward the project as they
provided leave time for pastors and teachers on the hymnal com-
mittees as they traveled to St. Louis to work on the hymnal project.

Many other congregations and individuals have supported the
project in countless ways. Throughout the process of development,
the Commission has made numerous proposals available for com-
ment and use via the Internet. Thousands of responses have been
received, filled both with affirmation and also with helpful cri-
tiques.

While the detailed proposal for the hymnal and agenda is pro-
vided in a volume separate from this Workbook, the Commission
wishes to highlight several items that speak to the overall scope
and direction of the project.

Balancing the Old and the New: Though we may speak in com-
mon parlance of a “new” hymnal, no hymnal is ever completely
new. The very nature of hymnals is such that they preserve the
riches of the past while also introducing new and fresh expressions
of the Gospel. But how much of the old should be included? The
Commission has worked hard to strike a balance, including in the
final proposal many beloved favorites while at the same time de-
termining that it is time to retire others. In their place the Commis-
sion proposes a number of new resources, including a Service of
Prayer and Preaching, a number of new hymns that are rich in bib-
lical expression, and various rites and other resources that were not
included in the Synod’s previous hymnals.

Significant Issues: Given the wide range of opinions on matters
of worship, the Commission has understandably had to wrestle with
some challenging issues. One of the more formidable concerns was
in regard to the translation of the Nicene Creed. That the Commis-
sion received some 1,500 responses to the proposed changes to the
translation underscores just how important this confession of the
faith remains in the life of the church. In the course of its study and
field-testing of this issue, the Commission came to see that any new
translation will be met with some opposition. After much discus-
sion, the Commission has decided not to propose several of the
more substantive changes, such as changing the word “Christian”
to “catholic,” changing to the first-person plural (e.g., “we be-
lieve’’), or omitting the word “men” in the phrase “who for us men
and for our salvation.” While the case might be made for any or all
of these changes, the Commission has concluded that major revi-
sions to the translation of the Nicene Creed must be made slowly
and that this is not the right time in our Synod for these changes.
(See the proposal for three minor changes to the LW translation of
the creed.)

Perhaps the most difficult chalienge the Commission has faced
concemed the degree to which the new hymnal would reflect the
diverse worship practices in our Synod. More specifically, should

2004 Convention Workbook

praise choruses and Scripture songs be included among the hymns?
Given that services using contemporary praise music experience a
rapid turnover in repertoire, the Commission believes it would not
be feasible to include a large number of these songs in the hymnal.
As several users of this genre explained to us, choices from this
genre would likely be out-of-date before the hymnal was ever pub-
lished. Nevertheless, the Commission did choose to include a rep-
resentative sample of songs from those considered that have been
in use over a considerable period of time.

A third issue to which the Commission gave considerable at-
tention concerned the choice of Bible translation for the hymnal
project. After careful study, consultation with the Commission on
Theology and Church Relations, and considerable input from the
field, the Commission chose the English Standard Version (ESV),
a recent, conservative revision of the Revised Standard Version, as
the primary translation for the hymnal. The Commission recognizes
that no translation is perfect but has concluded that the ESV is the
best current English translation available to serve the needs of the
hymnal and agenda. In those instances where another translation is
better suited, the Commission will use that translation.

Space Constraints: One of the continual challenges the Com-
mission faced is that not everything can be included in the new
hymnal. There just is not enough space. Thus in spite of the Com-
mission’s initial goal of including the entire Psalter, space con-
straints necessitate the omission of some of the psalms from the
pew edition. Likewise, lack of space led to the Commission’s deci-
sion not to include the Augsburg Confession. (The Small Cate-
chism, a welcomed addition to LW, will be included.)

Similarly, while the Commission would have liked to retain
everyone’s favorite hymns from both TLH and LW, that is simply
not possible. While not everyone’s favorites could be included, the
Commission believes that the final proposal provides a rich collec-
tion that blends the old with the new in a way that will serve our
congregations faithfully for years to come.

Testing and Exposure: The Synod has wisely included in its By-
laws the requirement that a new hymnal receive adequate testing
and exposure prior to final acceptance. During the course of this
project, the Commission has made available hundreds of hymns
and countless services and rites for review, not only by pastors and
musicians but by anyone who has shown an interest. In 2002 a 106-
page booklet of materials and two CDs were sent to all congrega-
tions of the Synod, and in 2003 a 116-page booklet was also
mailed. Included in these field-test materials were reports on the
direction of the project, numerous liturgical rites, new hymns, etc.
Opportunities were always provided for evaluation. In addition to
general evaluations, the Commission also sought the input of a
stratified sample of congregations based on size and location.
Smaller focus groups were also utilized for various assignments.

Just as the Internet has aided the committees in their work, so
has it proven extremely helpful for disseminating proposals from
the committees and receiving reaction and feedback. A wealth of
materials has been made available not only to members of the
LCMS but to people literally from around the world. Thousands of
questions and comments were received via the Internet.

The Commission is grateful to all who have provided input
throughout the process. Given the nature of preparing a hymnal, it
has not been possible to implement every suggestion that has been
received. Indeed, quite frequently the comments have contradicted
each other! Still, the Commission and its committees have gleaned
many good ideas from the valuable suggestions that were shared.
To that end, the participation of so many has contributed positively
to the Commission’s work and made the proposed hymnal much
stronger.

Practical Matters: Throughout the process, the Commission has
been keenly aware of the need to prepare a hymnal that is easy to
use. To that end, careful attention has been paid to a host of practi-