Steve Thorngate’s “Revise Us Again: Should Churches Alter Worship Texts?” (October 2, 2013 print edition of the Christian Century, also available online) is important enough that its content should find its way onto a committee, board, or other standing leadership body’s meeting agenda at every house of worship in America. At issue is the legally and ethically appropriate use of worship songs and hymns, including making modifications to words in order to more accurately convey the theology of the group who will sing the words in worship.
So What?
Thorngate’s own research of around 200 pastors and worship planners found:
- 8% alter texts every week, and
- 57% alter texts at least a few times a year
Of those who alter texts the reasons vary, but the top two are
- 81% gendered language, and
- 65% other theological objections.
The legal reality is simple: you cannot change words to fit your desired use case without first securing permission. Christian congregations must take copyright seriously, and must model the behavior they expect of those who follow the way of Jesus.
- Does your church ever change the words to a song? If so, do they first secure permission?
- Does your church ever print or project a song in worship without a license to do so? If you cannot answer this question, then perhaps the best place to begin is to ask about the existing policies and procedures in this area.