News

Delegates Give Green Light to New Hymnal; Revision Committee to Bring a New US Hymnal to 2012 General Conference
By Jeanette Pinkston

(April 28, 2008, General Conference, Ft. Worth, TX/GBOD) — General Conference 2008 passed legislation, April 28, which will lead to the creation of a new hymnal revision committee that will ultimately develop a new United Methodist hymnal for the United States.

One of two music-related petitions that GBOD brought to General Conference 2008, the hymnal will be presented for adoption at the 2012 General Conference, with publication coming as early as 2013.

The Rev. Karen Greenwaldt

"GBOD is delighted to be a partner with the Council of Bishops, the United Methodist Publishing House, and the newly forming hymnal revision committee to develop this new hymnal for the church," said the Rev. Karen Greenwaldt, chief executive for the General Board of Discipleship.

The legislation was the result of a four-year joint music study by the Board of Discipleship and the United Methodist Publishing House.

"United Methodists teach our faith as we sing our hymns. GBOD is poised and ready to work with the newly authorized hymnal revision committee as they work to bring a new hymnal to the 2012 General Conference for adoption," said Greenwaldt.

This new hymnal will address emerging worship trends and will bring forward the base of the church's vast tradition of worship and music resources.

"I am thrilled that as we look to the future with hope The United Methodist Church has the vision and the means to invest in updating liturgies and increasing available options for musical resources that will enrich, deepen, and renew worship and witness to the glory of God."

Greenwaldt said that "while a new hymn book will be brought for adoption, the hymnal revision committee will bring additional plans for ways the new hymnal can be delivered through electronic and visual means."

The current United Methodist Hymnal replaced the denomination's previous hymnal released in 1966.

The legislation passed with 450 or 57% of delegates voting in favor of the new hymnal and 336 or 43% voting against it.

Africana Hymnal Study Also Approved

Delegates also approved a four-year study of the issues around developing an Africana hymnal and appointment of a committee to conduct the study and report its findings to General Conference 2012.

Neil Alexander

Neil Alexander, top executive for the United Methodist Publishing House, says "the Publishing House seeks always to develop and distribute quality resources for Christian ministry.

"The planned [Africana] study is a way to solicit and learn from the opinions of a cross-section of persons whose life experiences and ministries we want to serve faithfully now and in the future," said Alexander.

The General Board of Discipleship's mission is to support annual conference and local church leaders for their task of equipping world-changing disciples. An agency of The United Methodist Church, GBOD (www.gbod.org) is located at 1908 Grand Ave. in Nashville, Tenn. For more information, call the Media Relations Office toll free at 877-899-2780, ext. 7017.

Pinkston is director of media relations for the General Board of Discipleship.