The Singing Church: The Hymns It Wrote and Sang

This practical study defines the congregational hymn and analyzes its poetic, scriptural, and musical requirements while weighing literary merit against devotional purpose. It traces common types and editorial changes, explains why hymns must suit mass singing, and outlines the impulses and objectives behind hymn writing and use. Chapters explore the roles hymns play in worship, spiritual formation, and communal expression, and offer concrete guidance for worship leaders and choirs on selecting, adapting, and employing hymns to enhance congregational participation, unity, and pastoral care without sacrificing clarity or singability.