Free Church of Scotland hymns

Kirk sessions not singing from the same hymn sheet 10/11/10

The Free Church of Scotland appears to be backing away from introducing hymn singing and music into formal worship.

A special Assembly of the church which meets next week to debate the issue is being urged to retain the present practice of singing only psalms without any musical accompaniment.

The crucial recommendation from the denomination’s Board of Trustees follows a recent forum in Dingwall Free Church, attended by ministers and elders from different congregations, which debated the thorny issue of moving away from the traditional psalm singing which dates back to the Reformation.

The Board of Trustees’ report acknowledges many in the church believe hymns and organ playing are consistent with the Bible.

However, the report states: “The Board believes that there is no single position which can be described as the clear unity option but recognises that the majority of the Kirk Sessions support Option A (the current practice).

Also under consideration is the use of organs and musical instruments to accompany praise singing.

The ultimate aim of the conference was to bring proposals to a special plenary Assembly in November which is hoped to make a decision over the issue.

At the Free Church General Assembly in Edinburgh this summer, it appeared that majority of churches within the denomination favoured the radical change.

It would have been a voluntary option. No minister or congregation would have been forced to introduce hymn singing.

The Western Isles presbytery was the sole objector to the plenary assembly on hymns or the use of accompanying music.

But the report points out most kirk sessions - locally elected, individual ruling committees for each church - are opposed.

Those who support the move to hymns and music in formal worship see it as a modernising step forward which would boost membership.

One aspect is attracting disaffected members of the Church of Scotland who are unhappy with their denomination’s appointment of a gay minister.

But others, particularly in the more rural areas, fear it could split normally staunch congregations and alienate elderly worshippers who adhered to traditional unaccompanied psalm singing since childhood. They feel it may be a step too far, too fast and could cause divisions.