Technically, you’d have to call this increased interest in hymns a renewal movement rather than a new movement. Up until the beginning of the 20th century, it was common for people to compose new music in each generation for the accompaniment of beloved hymns passed along. Hymnals are, in fact, designed with a metrical index so that words and music can be mixed and matched. This tradition was lost along the way and we are now more in the habit of associating one particular tune with one particular hymn. This has even become something of a generational issue as older believers cling to familiar hymn formats and younger believers insist on throwing out the old.

Kevin Twit and several students put together the first hymn project, calling it “Indelible Grace” from a hymn lyric, to use in the RUF gatherings. To their surprise, the reaction was explosive, especially among the younger generation, who were again struck by the depth and beauty of the songs. The project gained momentum as positive responses grew, and a touring band was formed, Matthew Smith and Indelible Grace, and more CDs were offered, four to date, (the latest of which you can find reviewed here).

The goal of these leaders is not change for change's sake, rather they hope to rekindle a love of hymns and to encourage hungry believers to take in the rich, satisfying words. Believing that we are impoverished if we cut off our ties with the saints of the past, Kevin Twit says that we fail to be faithful to God in our own moment of history if we don't attempt to praise Him in authentic forms true to who we are.

“We believe that the words of a hymn actually have more emotional nuance than one piece of music can adequately capture. Thus singing even familiar hymns with different music can bring out shades of meaning that had remained unnoticed. Many wonderful hymns have unfortunately fallen out of use and part of our love is searching old hymnals for hymns and hymn-writers that have been forgotten. How many today have heard of Anne Steele? She was the first female hymn-writer, the first to write hymns of lament without happy endings, and the first to meditate on the inadequacy of human language to express our love to God. Her hymns are incredibly relevant to what we often consider very modern issues and yet most hymnals include almost nothing by her. But when students read her words, now set to music that connects to them, they are blown away. They are able to have the incredible experience of communing spiritually with a saint who lived and suffered 300 years ago in a little town in the English countryside. All of the sudden, the Kingdom of God grows bigger for them. They see that the Body of Christ is huge!  We hope that you too can experience the 'mysterious sweet communion' with those who have gone before us.” (from www.indeliblegrace.com).

Smith and company have just as much hope for the parents and grandparents of this generation. “Writing new music to hymn texts can be a good opportunity for all ages to take a fresh look at what the lyrics mean, rather than just singing hymns because they are old favorites. My hope is that older and younger believers will come to together and learn from each other about what it means to worship God. Musical preferences should be secondary to our calling to be the body of Christ.”

But even apart from a generational perspective, the hymn movement of today gives scope to the faith experience of all thoughtful believers, placing us within the framework of “a great cloud of witnesses.” It’s hard to believe that this coalition of the ages and generations, all seeking a fresh, deep interpretation of the Lord, would not be both spiritually profitable to us and pleasing to the One it is all for, making Indelible Grace a valuable ministry indeed. If you or your church would like to experience the beauty and majesty of the Indelible Grace hymns, you can find lead sheets at www.matthewsmith.us  and www.igracemusic.com for musicians of all skill levels.