Hymn Talk

In this episode, Zack and Alex discuss the importance of Christ's identity as King. They also profile the classic hymn "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name."

In this Good Friday episode of Hymn Talk, Zack and Alex discuss the importance of Christ’s Passion ministry. They also consider the place of reflection and lament in gathered worship. 

Recording of “O Dearest Jesus”: https://youtu.be/9IWD4ShZrNc

For scores of people, a new year brings fresh hope – hope for new beginnings, new insights, new ideas, new opportunities, and new challenges. Many Christians face a new year with renewed vigor for spiritual growth. Even local churches (gatherings of Christians) long for refreshment and reform in the new year. Sadly, countless churches find themselves in decline and in desperate need of new life. In this first Hymn Talk of 2021, Zack welcomes Aaron Menikoff to discuss the topic of Church Revitalization. They consider the need and nature of Church Revitalization along with the hymn “Reformation Song” by Bob Kauflin and Tim Chester.

Aaron Menikoff is senior pastor of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, and author of “Character Matters: Shepherding in the Fruit of the Spirit.” He is also founder of “Feed My Sheep,” an annual conference for pastors and church leaders in the Georgia.

“Reformation Song”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jjCdKey4zg

Charles Spurgeon is not only one of the most influential Baptists in church history, but he remains one of the most prominent evangelicals that has ever lived. Known primarily for his writing and preaching in London, he’s less remembered for his activism and mercy ministry. Thankfully, Alex has just finished a dissertation on this aspect of Spurgeon’s life. In this episode, Zack interviews Alex on the topic, and they also profile Joseph Hart’s hymn “Come Ye Sinners.”

The Lord’s Supper holds different levels of prominence in different church traditions. For Roman Catholics and many Reformers, Communion is the central feature of gathered worship. Yet many modern evangelicals in the free church tradition, particularly baptists, tend to have a lower view of the Lord’s Supper. In this episode, Zack and Alex discuss the biblical place of this sacrament in Christian experience. They also profile the hymn “O Sacred Head Now Wounded.”

Listeners will notice Alex’s audio is poor at times. This was due to technical difficulties that will be improved for future podcasts.

Evangelicalism has historically been called the “religion of the heart.” Evangelicals have always proclaimed the indispensability of a personal attachment to Jesus. Such “heart religion” has always led to the writing of biblically rich hymns that foster a vital relationship with the Lord. In this episode, Zack and Alex discuss the intersection between hymns and the heart - namely, how Christian singing nurtures personal devotion to Christ. They also discuss John Wilbur Chapman’s hymn “Jesus, What a Friend of Sinners.”

Psalm 67 celebrates the saving power of God to the nations and the praise rendered to Him for his salvation. The glory of God has always been the ultimate goal of missions. As John Piper has helpfully argued: “missions exist because worship doesn’t.” In this episode of Hymn Talk, Zack and Jimmy (a missionary to South Asia) discuss the intersection between missions, worship, and congregational singing. They also discuss the 13th century hymn “All Creatures of Our God and King.”

A robustly biblical understanding of the Holy Spirit is vital to Christ-centered worship. In this episode, Zack and Alex discuss the indispensable ministry of the third person of the trinity. They also profile the hymn “Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God” by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend.

Catechisms, creeds, and confessions are wonderful tools given to the church to defend the faith. These liturgical elements aid Christians in maintaining unity, adorning our worship, and connecting us to saints of the past. Sadly, creeds and confessions are thoroughly neglected in the free church tradition. In this episode, Zack and Alex discuss the value of catechisms, creeds, and confessions. They also profile the hymn “Christ our Hope in Life and Death.”

Scripture teaches that God governs and ordains all things that come to pass. This truth is typically presented in the Bible to instruct and encourage God’s people. Yet Christians tend to think little about God’s providence. Zack and Alex discuss this topic along with the hymn “Whate’er My God Ordains is Right.”

Every song in gathered worship should render praise to God. Doxology should be the governing principle through each element of worship. Yet we believe it’s appropriate for certain songs to strike a pronounced note of praise in a worship service. In this episode, Zack and Alex discuss how to best understand songs of praise. They also review the hymn “Praise to the Lord the Almighty.”

In an age when “nothing is sacred,” how should Christians try to convey the majesty of God in worship and congregational singing? Zack and Alex discuss this topic along with Reginald Heber’s hymn “Holy, Holy, Holy.”

In an age where “privilege” is a buzzword, Christians should be the first to celebrate their privilege. Christians are not only redeemed from sin, saved to righteousness, and assured of everlasting life. They are also pleased to be made worshipers of the risen Christ. This privilege is most fully realized in this life when the church gathers to worship. In this episode, Zack and Alex discuss why and how Christians should reclaim a sense of privilege in worship and congregational singing. They also review Isaac Watts’ classic hymn “How Sweet and Awful is the Place.”

One of the chief blessings of the Christian faith is the Spirit-wrought assurance of salvation. Hymns and congregational singing play a tremendous role in bolstering our faith. In this episode, Zack and Alex navigate the Bible’s teaching on Christian assurance as well as challenges to the doctrine in human experience. They also review Matt Merker’s wonderful hymn “He Will Hold Me Fast."

Scripture teaches that Jesus Christ is gloriously ascended to the right hand of God where he serves as a great high priest. This ministry has enormous implications for believers. Yet Christ’s priesthood can often be one of the most neglected doctrines in Christian experience. In this episode, Zack and Alex discuss the impact of Christ’s priesthood on congregational singing. They also review the hymn “Before the Throne.”

One of the chief advantages of congregational singing as an element of worship is its intrinsic involvement of the congregation. Yet Christians can still fail to see the precise ways they engage with God in corporate singing. Many of the best hymns are themselves prayers and petitions. In this episode, Zack and Alex discuss the intersection between congregational singing and prayer. They also review Robert Robinson’s classic hymn “Come Thou Fount.”

With such a fine heritage of songs and hymns from previous generations, why is it important for Christians today to write new songs? Why should churches introduce new songs? Who are some trusted sources for new songs? Zack and Alex discuss this topic and review one of their favorite hymns by Matt Papa and Matt Boswell, “Christ the Sure and Steady Anchor.”

The Book of Psalms serves as a Holy Spirit-inspired hymnbook. The 150 chapters of the Psalter convey the full spectrum of Christian experience. Despite the richness of the Psalms, most churches find little use for them in congregational singing. In this episode, Zack and Alex discuss the relevance of singing Psalms as well as practical ways of incorporating them in gathered worship.

Why do Christians sing? Is the purpose of Christian singing to glorify God or to benefit people? In this episode, Zack and Alex discuss the vertical and horizontal elements of singing. They also discuss “For All the Saints” by William Walsham How.

In this special Good Friday episode, Zack and Alex discuss the nature, extent, and importance of the atonement and its impact on congregational singing. They also review the hymn “Man of Sorrows” by Philip Bliss.

What does it mean for worship to be gospel-centered? What does it mean for worship to be Christ-centered? Does every song in a worship service need to explicitly reference the person and work of Jesus Christ? In this episode, Zack and Alex discuss the meaning and importance of gospel-centered singing. They also review the classic hymn “Christ the Solid Rock.”

How does a local church decide what songs to sing? How do leaders in the church introduce new songs to the congregation? In this episode, Zack and Alex discuss the importance of introducing songs that are biblically rich, congregational, and musically edifying.

In this inaugural episode of Hymn Talk, Alex and Zack discuss the importance of congregational singing in the life of the church. They also analyze Charles Wesley’s classic hymn “Arise, My Soul, Arise.”