I admit it. I am reminiscing as I write this post.
I realize I’m thinking back several decades, and I’m sure some of my readers might find the title of this post strangely irrelevant—but I challenge you to read on if you’re one of those readers.
Differing events of life have recently reminded me of worship services of days long gone—of my first days as a believer when we sang hymn after hymn each Sunday. I knew nothing else, and hymns were the only thing our church ever sang.
Today, I miss them.
To be clear, I’m not saying that I miss hymns done poorly . . . bad musical accompaniment supporting words that believers sang weakly . . . or sang so slowly that it seemed you could take a nap between choruses. . . . or that we sang with the pall of a funeral home organ behind them. Those things I don’t miss.
Nor am I suggesting that I don’t like the newer versions of hymns sung in a more contemporary way. I really do like this option, and I’m grateful every time my church sings hymns this way. There are ways to get even younger generations to love the hymns.
Still, I miss hymns. They remind me of a world that seemed safer (though it surely was not at the time). They take me back to the first exciting days of my Christian walk. They cause me to remember the adults who invested in my life so many years ago. They push me to think about the theology behind hymns that speak of the cross, prayer, and redemption. They just comfort me in a world that’s changing under my feet.
In fact, I’ve been thinking about some of those hymns over the past several weeks. See how many of these songs you remember:
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- “Just as I Am”
- “Rescue the Perishing”
- “At the Cross”
- “I Stand Amazed in the Presence”
- “Blessed be the Name”
- “There is a Fountain”
- “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”
- “Pentecostal Power”
- “Wonderful Words of Life”
- “There is Power in the Blood”
- “Redeemed, How I Love to Proclaim It!”
- “Sweet Hour of Prayer”
- “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus”
- “I Need Thee Every Hour”
- “Jesus, Keep Me near the Cross”
- “Standing on the Promises”
- “Send the Light”
- “Let Others See Jesus in You”
- “Jesus Saves”
- “On Jordan’s Stormy Banks”
If you’re an older reader, how many of these hymns do you remember? If you’re a younger reader, how many of the titles intrigue you? I challenge you to find some of these hymns on the internet, listen to their words, and meditate on God’s goodness.
If you’re a pastor, I’m asking you to realize that you might have some church members like me—older, but quite open to change, yet who still long for the sweetness of a God-centered, gospel-driven, well-led hymn once in a while. Lead your church to sing some of those songs. Tell the stories behind them. Teach the theology within them.
If your congregation already does hymns, do them well. Don’t be afraid to use newer arrangements of old-fashioned songs. Help some of your older members appreciate more the songs with which they grew up, and guide your younger members to love the songs of their grandparents. Use an occasional hymn to connect the generations in your church.
And, you sing them with genuine gusto as you help your congregation worship the Lord together. You just might find that they will learn to love some hymns, too.
Posted on May 7, 2026
Dr. Chuck Lawless is a leading expert in spiritual consultation, discipleship and mentoring. As a former pastor, he understands the challenges ministry presents and works with Church Answers to provide advice and counsel for church leaders.
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