Author: Eric Wyse
Located in: Brentwood, TN
Submitted: May 14, 2009
Tell us a little about yourself. I am the Editor of The Christian Life Hymnal. I have been the Director of Music at my church, St. Bartholomew's Church in Nashville, Tennessee, since 19945. In addition, I am a hymn writer ("Wonderful, Merciful Savior"), record producer (Handel's Messiah/John Rutter/Cambridge SIngers/Royal Philharmonic Orchestra), and recording artist ("Reflections" piano series for CBD). I began studying piano at the age of 5, and playing piano for church in the 7th grade. I studied Church Music, piano and organ at Cedarville University (Ohio), and have been involved in Christian music in Nashville since 1979. Several hymns and worship songs I have written have been included in other hymnals, including "The Baptist Hymnal" (2008); "Hymns for a Pilgrim People - Congregational Hymnal" (2007); "The American Worship Collection (2000); and "Songs for Praise & Worship" (1992)
What was your motivation behind this project? The goal of our entire editorial team was the we preserve the great heritage of classic hymns and gospel songs for the next generation, while we also present in hymn style (4-part harmony) what we trust are the best new worship songs that are congregationally friendly and will endure for many generations. Thus, in addition to many standard hymns, we included new worship songs like "Majesty", "He Is Exalted", "in Christ Alone", "As the Deer", "How Deep the Father's Love For Us", and many more.
What do you hope folks will gain from this project? I hope this hymnal will aid churches in singing together the hymns, gospel songs, and new worship songs that offer praise to God, the encourage the body of Christ, that teach the truths of the gospel (theology) and that proclaim to the world the Good News of the gospel. This is a non-denominational hymnal that is geared for every Christian tradition, across generations.
How were you personally impacted by working on this project? Over the 3 years it took to create this hymnal, I was continually reminded of the wealth of truth, expressed in the hymns, and that every generation has found new ways to express the same truth - and pass it down to the next generation.
Who are your influences, sources of inspiration or favorite authors / artists? There are many hymnologists, hymn writers and authors who have helped shape my belief in church music and specifically hymns, including Donald Hustad (editor of the hymnal of my youth "The Service Hymnal"), Fred Bock (who edited "Hymns for the Family of God" in 1976, and who I heard present that hymnal at Bill Gaither's Praise Gathering that year); Kurt Kaiser, a dear friend from my days at Word Records (composer of "O How He Loves You and Me" that we included in this hymnal); Keith Getty, composer of "In Christ Alone" and the champion of modern hymn writing; as well as Anne Ortlund for her timely book in the 1970's "Up with Worship"; the late Dr. Robert E. Webber, (author of numerous books on ancient-future worship, editor of "The Complete Library of Christian Worship", and founder of The Institute for Worship Studies); my friend Darrell Harris (who has 3 compositions in the hymnal); my pastor, who was my theological sounding board on several occasions during the editorial process, The Rev. Dr. Jerry Smith; and Dawn Rodgers, my wife, and writing partner on many worship songs and hymns (including "Wonderful, Merciful Savior" found in the hymnal).
Anything else you'd like readers / listeners to know: In addition to the pew edition in 4 colors, the Accompanist edition is also available. It includes guitar chords for every hymn, in a 5 hole binder, a larger format, and a musical supplement that includes modulations and guitar chord directory
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