Hymns for Him is a non-profit organization that was founded September 2016. It is comprised of sacred music enthusiasts devoted to helping to keep hymn singing alive. Our goal is to foster a broader understanding of the importance of HYMN PRESERVATION through a series of seminars, lectures, workshops, and performances. 

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Isaac Watts (1674-1748) has appropriately been referred to as the Father of English Hymnody. At fourteen years old, Isaac Watts composed the first English hymn to actually be used in church. He believed that the church was lacking New Testament truth and theology in its worship service by only singing the Psalms. However, the 21st century contemporary worship experience rarely contains hymnody, and a new genre of music named “Praise and Worship” has become the face of the new millennium Christian church, as author Leon Neto supports in an article from the Journal of Singing (p. 196).

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By contrasting early forms of worship with 21st century contemporary and modern worship, it is plain to see that the worship experience has evolved into a different species since its birth. From services that included little to no instrumentation or congregational singing, to an acceptance of hymnody and focus on choral leadership, to the current trend of integration of secular and sacred music into the worship experience, these changes challenge the worshippers of today to decide how to keep heading down this evolutionary road. Hymns For Him challenges worshipers to consider the philosophy of Liturgics professor, Thomas  Schattauer, who proposes, in an article from “A Journal of Theology”, that any future change in the worship experience must be aimed towards “a constructive re-imaging of the Christian assembly and its purpose in present circumstances” (144). A return to congregational involvement in worship through hymnody can bring a deeper meaning to congregants and to their worship experience.

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To this end, it is proposed by Hymns For Him, that a resurgence of hymnody in the worship experience is essential as we seek to facilitate congregational involvement through congregational singing. Our specific desired outcomes are: 1) that hymns will continue to thrive within the worship experience and 2) that the people of God will be blessed and empowered to become involved in worship once again.

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Schattauer, Thomas H. “God’s Mission And The Christian Assembly: The Search For An Alternative Practice Of Worship.” Dialog: A Journal Of Theology 50.2 (2011): 143- 153. Religion and Philosophy Collection. Web. 20 Apr. 2013.

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Neto, L. “Contemporary Christian Music And The “Praise And Worship” Style.” Journal Of Singing 67.2 (2010): 195-200. CINAHL. Web. 20 Apr. 2013