Rules for singing in worship

[Robert Schouten]

Hi folks. I'm a pastor in the Canadian Reformed Churches. I'm located in British Columbia. In our federation of churches, we are bound by our Church Order to use only songs approved by General Synod in our worship services. In practice, this means singing only from the Book of Praise. Increasingly, some of our churches find this restrictive and resort to practices such as singing other songs before and after the worship service officially begins and ends. I know that the URCNA does not bind its congregations to anything other than the predominance of Psalm singing. I'm curious about the rules for other NAPARC churches, if any. Thanks for sharing! Rob

 

[Contra_Mundum]

The RPCNA (exclusive-Psalmody/no instruments) most likely expects their churches to use one of the Psalters they made/make available (most recent edition: The Book of Psalms for Worship, 2010). But it could be no formal declaration is necessary.

The OPC/PCA joint venture publishing company, Great Commission Publications, produces the Trinity Hymnal, which is a semi-official songbook for these churches going back to the '60s (OPC) and '70s (PCA); but there is no denominational requirement to use it.

The OPC and URCNA denominations recently joint-published the Trinity Psalter-Hymnal, again without making it the official book for these denominations. Many URC have continued to use the 1958/76 CRC (their parent denomination) Psalter Hymnal since they broke away in 1996, generally preferring the older book to the CRC's 1987 update. The CRC maintained the copyright, and continued to print the old book and sell it while demand continued. I suspect there may be no future printings, and the URC intends to market the new PH on which they hold the (joint) copyright.

Many Presbyterian and Reformed churches in the USA also pay an annual license fee (church-size dependent) that allows them to use songs/lyrics (that may then be printed in a bulletin or projected on a screen/wall). These churches may have and use a standard hymnal (such as the TH or TPH or some other brand), but also desire to sing some recently published and popular songs. Again, this practice does not violate a denominational norm.

I hope this is helpful.

 

[SolaScriptura]

In my church only songs approved by the Session may be used. Everything in the Trinity Hymnal is approved, as well as select other hymns and modern songs.

 

[Jake]

The ARP has a list of recommended Psalters and Hymnals but there is no enforcement for using them. We have two recommended Psalters in our pews but also an unrecommended hymnal. https://arpchurch.org/recommended-psalters-and-hymnals/

 

[83r17h]

In the RPCNA's directory for worship, 2.8:

The heartfelt singing of praise is an element of public worship...For the sake of unity, the Psalm versions used in the praise of God should ordinarily be those approved by the Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America...

Such a list of Synod-approved Psalters appears to be absent from the Constitution however. After a short time of research, I couldn't actually discover any enumerated "current approved Psalters" list. However, looking through the digest of Acts of Synod, a tentative list would be:
- Scottish 1650
- RP 1895
- 1911 Psalter
- RP 1919
- The Book of Psalms with Music
- The Book of Psalms for Singing
- The Book of Psalms for Worship

Specifically, the 1895 and 1919 Psalters I didn't find much info on. The note approving the 1895 Psalter says that the 1650 remains approved as it was not disapproved when the new one was approved. Seeing no notes of Psalter approval being rescinded, that list seems to be the result. That is, however, a very short look through the documents, at a high level, and taking "recommends the use of" and "authorized printing/publishing of" to be implying synod approval for use in worship.

Throughout the minutes there was a recurring caveat of "ordinary" circumstances, but the allowance for other "good translations" should circumstances demand.

 

[Deleted member 9611]

In the PRC, we only use the 1650 Psalter, and I believe the case is the same for the FCC. The HRC and FRC only use the 1912 Psalter from what I know.

 

[Poimen]

In the PRC, we only use the 1650 Psalter, and I believe the case is the same for the FCC. The HRC and FRC only use the 1912 Psalter from what I know.

Just for everyone's sake and especially the pastor above who started this thread, the FCC (being a Scottish denomination) is not part of NAPARC so it has no bearing in any answer to his question.

https://www.naparc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/InfoDoc-1-List-of-NAPARC-Member-Churches-rev-2014.pdf

 

[Jake]

Just for everyone's sake and especially the pastor above who started this thread, the FCC (being a Scottish denomination) is not part of NAPARC so it has no bearing in any answer to his question.

https://www.naparc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/InfoDoc-1-List-of-NAPARC-Member-Churches-rev-2014.pdf

Yes the FCC is British with a small number of North American congregations and is part of a similar but broader group across the pond called Affinity.

 

[therussellhome]

PCA's Book of Church Order states:

51-3. It is recommended that Psalms be sung along with the hymns of the Church, but that caution be observed in the selection of hymns, that they be true to the Word. Hymns should have the note of praise, or be in accord with the spirit of the sermon.

Many Presbyterian and Reformed churches in the USA also pay an annual license fee (church-size dependent) that allows them to use songs/lyrics (that may then be printed in a bulletin or projected on a screen/wall).

Typically this is through Christian Copyright Licensing International

 

[earl40]

PCA's Book of Church Order states:

51-3. It is recommended that Psalms be sung along with the hymns of the Church, but that caution be observed in the selection of hymns, that they be true to the Word. Hymns should have the note of praise, or be in accord with the spirit of the sermon.

What is interesting it is "recommended" in the BCO but commanded in scripture. Carry on, this is simply an observation and nothing more.