TOM SCHAEFER Readers want old-time hymns

Dear minister:
Forgive me if I'm a bit intrusive. I don't mean to add to your workload. I know many of you have a lot to do, what with sermons, weddings, funerals. It's a 24/7 responsibility.
But I do think you should hear a few comments from people in the pews, some of whom are reluctant to tell you what they think.
OK, I admit I got the ball rolling with a recent column I wrote that called for a hymn-singing revolution. I urged readers to contact the person in charge of choosing hymns -- that's oftentimes you, the minister -- and suggest that he or she poll the members to find out which are the top 10 or 12 hymns members like to sing.
It is the slower time of summer, after all, and everyone enjoys a change of pace. So why not have a countdown of favorite hymns, with several sung each week?
(By the way, I am not opposed to newer hymns, though some of them are real stinkers. I'm sure you have your reasons.)
Well, good sir or ma'am, the e-mails, letters and calls are pouring in. Let's just say I've touched a musical nerve.
What readers have to say
But let's hear from a few readers themselves. Remember, these folks are not rabble-rousers. They just want to sing their favorite hymns now and then.
They're folks such as Marilyn Hitchcock of Wichita, Kan., who's troubled by the loss of good hymns. She's hearing a lot of "7-11" songs (seven words sung 11 times), with loud drums and guitars.
"Will there be children who grow up in church and will never have heard a real hymn?" she asks.
Or will there even be members to sing them?
O.M. Dykes of Anniston, Ala., told a story about a church that was selling hymnals as souvenirs since they were no longer used.
"While distributing the hymnals," he said, "a deacon suggested that the church pews also be made available to the membership since they were no longer used, too."
Then there's Leland Stevens of Wichita, who calls the classic hymns "the foundation of the church."
"I feel sorry for the people that have not had the privilege to learn them," he said. "All the praise songs in the world will not replace one of the old hymns."
Joining in the chorus is Margaret Gallman of Greenville, S.C. She, too, is tired of snooze-inducing praise songs.
"Seeing congregations sing those endless songs with glazed eyes, rocking back and forth in boredom ought to tell [church leaders] something!" she said.
Willing to find out
If not, several folks said they plan to take up the challenge to find out the favorite hymns of their fellow members.
Even though Dean and Amy Carlson of Minnetonka, Minn., are pleased with their musical director's choice of music, they still would like to have a congregational survey to see which hymns are the most popular.
"I will make certain that the pastors receive a copy of your plea," they wrote.
Sue Ice, head of the worship and music committee of First Presbyterian Church in Newton, Kan., said she plans to survey the congregation in order to include more of the members' favorites.
"The timing is good because we are studying what we might do to revitalize our worship services from good to even better," she said. "What better place to start than with the hymns that people love!"
I hope others will take up the musical challenge and get a list of their congregation's favorite hymns. And don't forget to let me know the top five hymns in your church.
Peaceful revolution
In the meantime, worship leader, rest assured that this hymn-singing revolution is peaceful. No one is erecting a mighty fortress against other music.
This is simply a respectful plea not to forget the music that many folks love to sing -- hymns that have endured through the ages and have lifted the spirits of countless saints.
X Tom Schaefer writes about religion and ethics for the Wichita Eagle. Write him in care of the newspaper at P.O. Box 820, Wichita, Kan., 67201 or by e-mail at tschaeferwichitaeagle.com.