I admit it. I am reminiscing as I write this post.
I realize I’m thinking back several decades, and I’m sure some of my readers might find the title of this post strangely irrelevant—but I challenge you to read on if you’re one of those readers.
Differing events of life have recently reminded me of worship services of days long gone—of my first days as a believer when we sang hymn after hymn each Sunday. I knew nothing else, and hymns were the only thing our church ever sang.
Today, I miss them.
To be clear, I’m not saying that I miss hymns done poorly . . . bad musical accompaniment supporting words that believers sang weakly . . . or sang so slowly that it seemed you could take a nap between choruses. . . . or that we sang with the pall of a funeral home organ behind them. Those things I don’t miss.
Nor am I suggesting that I don’t like the newer versions of hymns sung in a more contemporary way. I really do like this option, and I’m grateful every time my church sings hymns this way. There are ways to get even younger generations to love the hymns.
Still, I miss hymns. They remind me of a world that seemed safer (though it surely was not at the time). They take me back to the first exciting days of my Christian walk. They cause me to remember the adults who invested in my life so many years ago. They push me to think about the theology behind hymns that speak of the cross, prayer, and redemption. They just comfort me in a world that’s changing under my feet.
In fact, I’ve been thinking about some of those hymns over the past several weeks. See how many of these songs you remember:
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- “Just as I Am”
- “Rescue the Perishing”
- “At the Cross”
- “I Stand Amazed in the Presence”
- “Blessed be the Name”
- “There is a Fountain”
- “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”
- “Pentecostal Power”
- “Wonderful Words of Life”
- “There is Power in the Blood”
- “Redeemed, How I Love to Proclaim It!”
- “Sweet Hour of Prayer”
- “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus”
- “I Need Thee Every Hour”
- “Jesus, Keep Me near the Cross”
- “Standing on the Promises”
- “Send the Light”
- “Let Others See Jesus in You”
- “Jesus Saves”
- “On Jordan’s Stormy Banks”
If you’re an older reader, how many of these hymns do you remember? If you’re a younger reader, how many of the titles intrigue you? I challenge you to find some of these hymns on the internet, listen to their words, and meditate on God’s goodness.
If you’re a pastor, I’m asking you to realize that you might have some church members like me—older, but quite open to change, yet who still long for the sweetness of a God-centered, gospel-driven, well-led hymn once in a while. Lead your church to sing some of those songs. Tell the stories behind them. Teach the theology within them.
If your congregation already does hymns, do them well. Don’t be afraid to use newer arrangements of old-fashioned songs. Help some of your older members appreciate more the songs with which they grew up, and guide your younger members to love the songs of their grandparents. Use an occasional hymn to connect the generations in your church.
And, you sing them with genuine gusto as you help your congregation worship the Lord together. You just might find that they will learn to love some hymns, too.
Posted on May 7, 2026
Dr. Chuck Lawless is a leading expert in spiritual consultation, discipleship and mentoring. As a former pastor, he understands the challenges ministry presents and works with Church Answers to provide advice and counsel for church leaders.
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21 Comments
My sister used to have a plaque in her room that said, “Make new friends, but keep the old. The new are silver; the old are gold.” That’s pretty much my attitude toward music. I have nothing against contemporary music, but I never have understood this war on hymns. I’ve heard people complain that these songs were written before they were born. So what? I’m 58 years old, and most of them were written before I was born, too. Some of my favorites were written before my grandparents were born. That’s why these hymns are so great. They’ve stood the test of time.
Thanks, Ken, for your thoughts.
I’m in my mid 30s and know nearly all of those hymns well. Grew up with them and led them as a music minister. In the church I pastor now, we have a couple of contemporary songs and a few hymns every service. It’s a good mix!
Thanks, Joel, for writing.
AMEN!
My life was changed by many, many hymns! I was saved by What a Friend we have in JESUS! = lonely and no friends.; Living For JESUS! = Jesus spoke to my heart and told me to stop “striving” as I was always pleasing to HIM! (this is the secret ti Heb. chapter 11) . . . so may hymns spoke to me. . . . When I was singing “Here I am, LORD” at age 63, HE spoke to me saying, “I give you back your Isaac!” The only thing I could call my “Isaac” was wanting to be in missions. …I then ended up in East Asia for almost 7years!
Thanks for serving on the field, Molly.
Chuck, I completely agree, I miss them as well. Thank you for highlighting our love for the old hymns!
Thanks, James.
As Pastor, I am glad that our church has chosen to keep the hymns the old hymns of our faith in our church services. I am also a nursing home chaplain and I will use the hymns in those Services because those are the songs that they recognize and love. On the 5th Sundays of the year four times a year, we have a hymn sing!
We invite the community and other churches from our vicinity to join us to do an all request Hymnsing.
In our nursing home ministry I have a hymn player that I use so that I can have accompaniment. Yes, the hymns are very important ministry and testimony of our faith. I’m glad our church does not want a part of the new contemporary music. Which I call the 7-Eleven music. You know, the last seven words repeated 11 times. I just can’t worship that way. I am of the old school and will die in the old school.
Thanks, Charles.
I grew up singing all of them! And I love some of the new hymns and songs, too! There is much need for wisdom and balance as we plan worship. This Sunday, in honor of Mother’s Day, we’re singing hymns (and a praise song) written by women as a reminder of the impact of godly women on all our lives.
Thanks, Bill, for the call to balance.
Thank you, Chuck for the reminder of the spiritual anchor of the faith that continues down through His-Story in the hymns the Church has sung! My church (LCMS) tradition/spiritual building has relied upon the strength of spiritual content that makes disciples when received/believed whole heartedly. The memory as a child of these hymns has remained as they have deepened my appreciation for them. I am reminded that Christian hymn writers of all ages did write under the inspiration of the Scriptures they have consumed. Being a musician, I also recognize and appreciate the use of people’s musical gifts in many (contemporary music) churches that are utilized to bless congregations as well as an example to others of how their gifts can be used in the family of God inside and outside the four walls of the church. As these younger folks mature in the faith, so does it reflect down the road in the lyrics they write. Many of these have also grown up with hymns joyfully sung in their Christ forming congregations. “Music,” says Martin Luther, ” is the second greatest gift from God to mankind next to theology.” May the strength of our Scripture driven faith cause us to sing more boldly the praise of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the manner it is done in heaven!
Thanks, Ralph, for your thoughts.
I enjoy hymns, old and new. They teach us in profound ways. Prefer not the high church style. Don’t mind a contemporary style. Don’t like rewrites as they tend to dull or lose the message. Those unfamiliar tend to drag them thinking this is somehow holy. Some hymns are happy. Some are sad. Some are contemplative. Some are boisterous. How they are sung should reflect their spirit.
Thanks, Lawrence.
I appreciated your article on the hymns being an extremely valuable part of the church. I too grew up on hymns in the late 50’s & 60’s. As a retired pastor I still love the hymns. I was familiar with all on your list. I’m currently serving a country church that sings 95% hymns. They sing with great enthusiasm. I actually lead with the guitar when we don’t have a pianist. I’m thankful for the opportunity.
Thanks for your years of service, Donald. Blessings!
I miss them too and know all of them, many of them from memory. I worry about the newer songs and if they will carry forward generational as these hymns have.
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Gregory, for writing!