As some of you know, John Wesley included this instruction in his “Directions For Singing” that prefaces every Methodist hymnal:
Sing [these hymns] exactly as they are printed here, without altering or mending them at all; and if you have learned to sing them otherwise, unlearn it as soon as you can.
Someone on our staff read that and said, “He’s a bit pretentious, isn’t he?” Actually, I’ve cleaned up the observation a bit to make it blog-suitable.
Anyway, David Crowder had much the same response upon reading Wesley’s instructions. Because John Wesley told him he couldn’t alter one of his hymns, Crowder did. And not just any hymn; he revised what is in many ways the Wesleyan hymn, O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing.
Here’s Crowder teaching the song and then explaining his rationale for modernizing parts of it. The interview picks up at about 2:00 in, and is worth the wait for the fun it pokes at Methodist pretension:
So whether it is hymnody or ministry, be careful of taking yourself too seriously.
And of forbidding people from doing things they otherwise might not have considered doing.
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One of the very things I struggle with each and every day, the “rules” according to John Wesley.
I grew up in the Nazarene church (much like the Methodist, just a little stricter) where it was always NO.
No makeup or jewelry for the ladies. No rock and roll for the youth. No movies for anyone.
No, no, no! Break these “rules” and you were on your way to hell.
I not only left the Nazarene church but church all together. How was I ever to make it?
I’m only 41 so these rules are not all that old. Today the rule book for the Nazarene church looks nothing like it did just a few short years ago. Today women get to wear their finest jewels and makeup. Teens go dancing, listen to rock and roll and every one goes to the movie house for the weekend show. Difference between then and now is your not breaking the “rules” and on your way to heaven.
My struggle continues to understand why I could not then but I can now?
I do know that God saved me from the sin I was living in August 24 2008. I am a member of Good Shepherd where it is YES. Yes Jesus loves me for not wearing a suit to church. Yes Jesus loves me because I still listen to the Eagles sing Hotel California. Yes Jesus loves Talbot for listening to the same song. Yes, Yes, Yes!
Thank you Talbot, I needed some “SMACKDOWN” today.
May God continue to bless you and your family
Matt
Thanks Talbot! Hey–did you make it to the David Crowder Band concert Wednesday? It was great.
I know people like you are describing. And I have been one…probably will be again occasionally…but I don’t want to be an angry Christian. There are some things worth getting angry about…but oftentimes it is a waste of emotional energy!
FYI–my previous comment was in response to two of your posts…Smackdown and A Dangerous Spirituality…