Date

3-2020

Department

School of Music

Degree

Doctor of Worship Studies (DWS)

Chair

Hanna Jane Byrd

Keywords

Congregational Singing, Hymns, Perceived Benefits, Multiethnic, Seventh-day Adventist, Wholistic Health

Disciplines

Liturgy and Worship | Music

Abstract

Throughout the New Testament and the history of the church, congregational hymn-singing has been utilized to edify Christians in worship. Although congregational hymn-singing has been an integral part of Christian worship, many 21st century Christian denominations have departed from this practice. Utilizing contemporary worship music instead of hymns has become the norm. The purpose of this study was to understand the characteristics and benefits of congregational hymn-singing. Using a qualitative case study, this research attempted to determine the efficacy of congregational hymn-singing on perceived theological insight, emotional wellness and group unity at the Weimar Seventh-day Adventist church. The subject church was a multiethnic, multinational and multi-generational organization located on the campus of a private educational and health care institution in Weimar, California. 222 participants with ages ranging from 18-75 years, representing five ethnicities and over 45 nationalities responded to a survey on congregational hymn-singing. The results showed the participants’ unmitigated appreciation for hymn-singing and preference for hymn-singing as the most suitable congregational music style at the Weimar Seventh-day Adventist Church. Further, the findings indicated that participants perceived congregational hymn-singing to positively contribute to their emotional, mental, social and spiritual wellbeing. Additional research is recommended to replicate this case study for corroborations.

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