Over the past two years, the Executive Committee (EC) of The Hymn Society has been working to carry out the first of its current strategic goals, including efforts “to make our identity and purpose clear to our own members and those who meet us.” And so, the EC has been engaged in a process of reflection and has consulted widely with members and other constituents about who we are as an organization and what we aspire to be. On July 27, 2026, the EC approved the following statements that seek to answer the question, “Who are we?”
What is the vision of The Hymn Society?
To sing the world God imagines. We believe that the holy act of singing together shapes faith, heals brokenness, transforms lives, and renews peace.
What is the mission of The Hymn Society?
To encourage, promote, and enliven congregational singing
What is our purpose?
- Study – to support the academic study of congregational song
- Creation – to encourage musicians and writers in the creation of new congregational song
- Renewal – to revitalize and strengthen the application of congregational singing in all its diverse forms
- Resourcing – to equip church leaders and musicians with the tools, training, and resources necessary to enliven and promote congregational song
- Community – to foster a diverse, collaborative community of scholars and practitioners in the United States and Canada and around the world who share an interest in hymnody
What are our values?
- Community: We believe that our vision and purpose can only be carried out when we engage in fellowship and collaboration with one another.
- Intercultural: We welcome the diversity of voices coming together from a variety of cultural, racial, ethnic, and linguistic backgrounds, contributing to the advancement of congregational song.
- Ecumenical: We come together from a variety of Christian communities and traditions and welcome each other’s voices and contributions.
- Tradition and Innovation: We celebrate our long and storied tradition while making space for change.
- Curiosity: We value the continued research and study of hymnody and congregational song in all its forms.
- Creativity: We seek to nurture creativity in both the writing and performance of congregational song.
- Action: We believe in the necessity of living out faith, seeking justice, and leaning on strong theological foundations as we respond to God’s call and carry out our work in congregational song.
What is our character?
- Multicultural
- Hospitable
- Curious
- Collaborative
- Dynamic
- Faithful
- Creative