简体中文
EnglishWhat is The Hymn Society?
Updated
The Hymn Society is an organization whose mission is to encourage, promote, and enliven congregational singing. Its stated vision is "to sing the world God imagines," and it describes singing together as a holy act that shapes faith, heals brokenness, transforms lives, and renews peace. It is aimed at anyone involved in or drawn to congregational song — song leaders, hymn writers, students, mentors, church musicians, and members of faith communities — and it offers resources, events, publications, scholarships, and grants as ways to take part.
What the organization does
The Hymn Society in the United States and Canada frames its work around a single purpose: strengthening the practice of singing together in congregations. Its materials describe that practice in both practical and spiritual terms — as something that forms faith and builds peace, not just a musical activity.
Its public-facing work falls into a few broad areas:
- Resources for song leaders — practical support for people who lead congregational singing.
- Events and conferences — including an Annual Conference and an interview series.
- Publications and blogs — including the Journal of Congregational Song and The Stanza.
- Scholarships and grants — financial support tied to study and participation.
- Hymn collections — curated and published collections of congregational song.
Who it is for
The Society's own materials show a deliberately broad audience. Its homepage imagery and headings name several groups directly:
| Audience | How the Society speaks to them |
|---|---|
| Song leaders | "Song Leaders At Their Best" — resources for those leading congregational song |
| Students and mentors | Conference participation and scholarship information |
| Families and congregations | "Our Family Singing Together" — singing as a shared, everyday practice |
| Hymn writers | A dedicated writing retreat for beginners and intermediate writers |
| Church workers | Retreat and renewal opportunities for those serving the church regularly |
If you lead singing, write hymns, study congregational song, or simply want your congregation's singing to be stronger, the Society's programming is built with you in mind.
Programs worth knowing about
Writing the Church's Song
This is a three-day writing retreat for beginner and intermediate hymn writers. The Society describes it as time away for people who work for the church week in and week out — space to rest, reflect, and re-inspire. If you write hymns and want structured time and guidance, this is the most direct entry point.
100 Years of Song interview series
Following the Society's centennial in 2022, it launched a series of nine online interviews with Hymn Society Fellows and leaders. A sixth series is scheduled for 2026–2027. Each interview shares a person's story along with their experience and perspectives on the study and practice of congregational song. This is a low-commitment way to learn from people deeply involved in the field.
Annual Conference
The Annual Conference is a recurring gathering, with conference archives available for past events. Membership includes special pricing for Annual Conferences.
Storehouse of Song
A hymn and song collection released in celebration of the Society's 2022 centennial. According to the introduction by editorial committee member Andrew Donaldson, FHS, the Centennial Committee charged the editorial team with a guiding vision for the collection — one centered on singing community, hospitality, and solidarity.
Publications
Two periodicals anchor the Society's publishing work:
- Journal of Congregational Song — the Society's journal; members get free access to the latest issues.
- The Stanza — also free to members in its latest issues.
Both are listed among the benefits of membership, alongside conference pricing and other resources.
How to get involved
The most direct route is membership. According to the Society, member benefits include:
- Free access to the latest issues of the Journal of Congregational Song and The Stanza
- Special pricing for Annual Conferences
- Additional member resources
Beyond membership, you can:
- Attend the Annual Conference — see the Events section for current dates and registration.
- Apply for scholarships or grants — the Society lists scholarships and grants as a category of its work.
- Join the writing retreat — if you write hymns, Writing the Church's Song is designed for beginners and intermediate writers.
- Explore the resource library — hymn collections, publications, blogs, videos, and research are all gathered under Resources.
- Watch the interview series — online and open to viewers interested in congregational song.
The site also maintains an online store, a contact page, and a member login area, so you can join, ask questions, or purchase materials directly.
A quick way to decide
If you want to learn about congregational song, start with the interview series and the resource library. If you want to participate, look at the Annual Conference and the writing retreat. If you want ongoing access to the Journal and The Stanza plus conference discounts, membership is the clearest path. And if you need financial support for study or attendance, the scholarships and grants page is where to look.