"Sing a New Church"

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LRThunder and I attend the same parish, and I can vouch for what he has said. Our new music director is absolutely in love with this “hymn.” That, and “Gather Us In.”

Sing A New Church is bizarre because it does imply that something is wrong with the old church. What, exactly, would that be? It is also used extensively at those Womynpriest conferences.

I shudder to even think of it.
 
Thank you again for everyones’ comments. They are all appreciated. I had a contact from a year, or so, ago at OCP and have tried to contact him on this matter, but I am not receiving any response at this point. As a speaker once for Knights of Columbus, I might just run this concern by them, too.
 
I thought some might like to know of what happened with regards to my contact of OCP (the publisher of this hymn). Below is a copy of the editor’s response. I would also strongly encourage you to read this month’s This Rock. The article on bad liturgical music by Anthony Esolen is a wonderful work–and very timely with regards to my own little discovery of this music.

"…Your email below was forwarded to me for a response. I hope I can answer the point you raise below to your satisfaction, although I realize you may not agree with the conclusion.

I can easily understand your concern that proper theology is expressed in the music that we sing in our liturgical celebrations. We at OCP also share this concern and therefore recently sent our most comprehensive book of liturgical music, Breaking Bread 2008, to 3 nationally recognized systematic theologians for a thorough review of the song texts therein. It might interest you to know that not one of the 3 had anything to say about the text of the song you mention below, Sing a New Church.

The final authority for the content of our liturgical worship books resides, of course, with our Archbishop, and he has been fully informed of our actions to have this theological review undertaken. If there ever comes a time that the appropriate ecclesiastical authorities inform us that a song must be removed from our liturgical books because of theological error, OCP would, of course, immediately do so.

I dont know if this helps you to understand our position or not, but there are many people across the country, according to our yearly music surveys, who use this song in their liturgical celebrations. To remove the song from our worship program would have an adverse effect upon worship in those parishes, and to many people who may disagree with the conclusions you have come to concerning this song. OCP is committed to serving the entire Church, not just a portion of it, and if we start removing songs simply because some people dont like the texts, and without informed guidance of qualified theologians, or a directive from the appropriate ecclesiastical authorities, we would be unable to continue that mission.

And, of course, no one is forcing you to sing the song. You could take up your concerns with your parish priest and/or with the music ministers in your parish, if you feel that the song should not be sung. There are many alternate hymns and songs in our program which might better suit your stated preferences for worship.

Again, I know you may not agree with this assessment, but I hope you will be able to understand the reasons why we take this position with our liturgical music.

Sincerely yours,

Randall DeBruyn, D.M.A.
Executive Editor, English-language"
 
I would love to know the names of those three “nationally recognized” systematic theologians.
 
Cavaille-Coll said:
I would love to know the names of those three “nationally recognized” systematic theologians.
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I would, as well, especially since some of the music in the OCP aresenal is less than theologically correct. I wonder what would happen if someone forwarded their catalogue to the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discpline of the Sacraments. Would the Congregation respond as favorably, given the emergence of a new Benedictine program?

Frankly, the response that Writer received sounds a lot like something I would have written for my boss when replying to a constituent. Lots of verbage, but, very little substance. I hate to say it, but, I think that not enough of a thorough examination, let alone, quality control check, occurs between OCP and the ecclesial authorities. A lot of times, and I know from personal experience, the Ordinary, or, in this case, the Metropolitan, will take staff’s word for it and run with something. Having planned special Masses for my Ordinary, I have asked him to revew things and his respnse is, “I trust your judgment.”

However, in the case of OCP, their respone about removing “Sing A New Church” having a detrimental effect on the parish that uses it is hogwash. That’s like saying that cancelling “Dancing With the Stars” will have a detrimental effect on my Monday night viewing schedule. I’ll just move on to something else, maybe something even better.
 
Jesus Christ instituted the Church by his authority as the Lord and through the working of the Holy Spirit.

We institute a new church by singing?

nice. Does anyone think when they start singing this nonsense at Mass?

I used to be a music minister at a Methodist Church, and people there preferred old, country-style hymns. If something “new-fangled” or difficult to sing was presented as a congregational hymn, several people used to slam their hymnals closed and put them away during the music. We would try new hymns at choir practice and generally avoid the “bookslammers” when choosing music for Sunday services.

I would encourage everyone to sing robustly at Mass, so that your silence is noticed when an offensive hymn comes up. Although it’s hard to slam your hymnal when it’s a little paperback missalette.🙂
 
I’ve decided to ask OCP who those theologians are. If names are provided, it’s probably not a good idea to post those here, but I will let folks know if they are forthcoming.
 
Such a nutty, sappy song from what was a great rich hymn. My FIL hates the song and was floored when I told him the lyrics OCP scrapped to “sing a new church” hymn into being. GAG!
 
Guess what we sang for the recessional song…for the third week in a row?

Yep…“Sing a New Church.” :mad:

Time to go to the 8:30 or 11:45 Mass from now on.
 
Here’s OCP’s response.

“Thank you for your inquiry. I’m afraid I cannot give you the names you requested, as the review was conducted under the stipulation of confidentiality. I can assure you that the reviewers were fully qualified for the task. However, the results of the review are, once again, confidential, and for OCP’s use and edification.”

Here’s the Portland Archdiocese response.

"Yes, I have received copies of some of the emails you have written concerning this song.
 
Here’s OCP’s response.

“Thank you for your inquiry. I’m afraid I cannot give you the names you requested, as the review was conducted under the stipulation of confidentiality. I can assure you that the reviewers were fully qualified for the task. However, the results of the review are, once again, confidential, and for OCP’s use and edification.”

I tried to copy the response from the Portland Archdiocese, but I encountered some format problems. Suffice to say, however, they don’t share our concerns, and I didn’t have the impression he read my letter, because he suggested that our problems with the hymn had something to do with the Voice of the Faithful–which I never mentioned in my letter (or attached article from TR).

If I have any good news to report, I’ll pass it on here. Keep up the good fight.
 
Our pastor has forbidden us to use the song “Sing a New Church” in our parish. He says it’s heretical. He’s an awesome priest!
 
Even if the song itself wasn’t heretical, it still focuses too much on the horizontal, and not enough on the vertical: worshipping God.

Unfortunately, that’s what seems to be the focus of 90% of the hymns we sing at my parish.
 
LRThunder said:
Even if the song itself wasn’t heretical, it still focuses too much on the horizontal, and not enough on the vertical: worshipping God.

Unfortunately, that’s what seems to be the focus of 90% of the hymns we sing at my parish.
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Right…I think it comes very close to the line, though, with regards to the heresy of universalism.
 
Writer said:
Here’s OCP’s response.

"Thank you for your inquiry. I’m afraid I cannot give you the names you requested, as the review was conducted under the stipulation of confidentiality.
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Translations to follow: No one has the guts to attatch their name and reputation to such a stupid song.
I can assure you that the reviewers were fully qualified for the task.
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At least as qualified as any other “unnamed source.”
However, the results of the review are, once again, confidential, and for OCP’s use and edification."
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This alleged report makes us feel better for selling out the Church.

I wonder if anyone at all in the OCP cadre had the gumption to consider that if they needed theologians to make sure a song is technically heresy, perhaps it was not such a good song to include in a hymnal. I mean, did they have to check on Tantum Ergo, Attende Domine or O Sacrament Most Holy?
 
YES!! I have had the same concerns with some of the songs in my parish. 95% of one song that we sing every week right now is about US doing things… ok, we can make mention once about putting Jesus in the middle of all that WE do…

I’m longing for the day that the more conservative parish builds it’s new sanctuary instead of having mass in the parish center (they are currently collecting funds for the project). Then my spouse will be willing to change to that parish.
LRThunder said:
Even if the song itself wasn’t heretical, it still focuses too much on the horizontal, and not enough on the vertical: worshipping God.

Unfortunately, that’s what seems to be the focus of 90% of the hymns we sing at my parish.
Click to expand...
 
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