Mission Praise or Missing Praise?

MISSION PRAISE or "MISSING PRAISE?

The above hymn book has been foisted upon numerous Assemblies over the last 28 years or so. It has caused immeasurable damage to the distinctive character of these Meetings. Such a statement may well yield both amusement and disbelief in some quarters; others may be outraged. But this is a serious attempt to address this issue.

Inter-denominational "efforts" always prove to be catastrophic for those who gather to the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ only, and that in simplicity as the scriptures use that expression.

"Mission Praise" was compiled for "Mission England" back in 1984. That particular venture is well remembered by many of us as a disaster. Any exercised soul, anyone professing faith in Christ, was to be directed to the nearest denomination to their home, to be fed spurious and false doctrine. A huge number of "conversions" were claimed to have taken place, but the subsequent years paint a different picture.

A hymn book may be deemed innocuous in having much if any influence on spiritual things. But that is very far from the truth. Even in our Assemblies we occupy much of our time when we come together in singing. If this is of little account why do why engage in it so frequently? We consider it to be an integral part of our worship and a vehicle for praise. Many of the denominations spend almost all their time singing!

It is impossible to escape the fact that some "truths" owe more to hymnody than the Word of God. Without question those hymns which are in accord with the Scriptures are of real profit. Thus it is of great import to choose our hymnbooks with due care and exercise spiritual wisdom.

(In my own experience the introduction of  "Mission Praise" was a major factor, perhaps the most significant one, in bringing the local Assembly to the dreadful condition it is in today.)

The preface of the book commences with "Music has always been vital to the expression of Christian praise and worship, and a dynamic church will constantly find new ways of expressing Christian truth in hymns and songs." There is not a single suggestion of  those elements in the N.T. Scriptures.

I will not make any further quotations from the preface or indeed the book, that is sufficient for me!

What I will comment on is that which obtains today as regards this publication.

Any and all denominations are happy to use it including Roman Catholics. Many "songs" are not able to be sung without musical accompaniment. None of the hymns contain any reference to the rapture. No distinction is made between the different dispensations. The Holy Spirit is directly addressed in numerous hymns. Familiarity in addressing both the Father and the Son abounds. In the preface there is not one reference to the Son, only "God" is used and that sparingly.

Copyright addresses include: American Catholic Press; Ateliers et Presses de Taize; Rev. Elizabeth M. Dyke; Iona Community and others with no obvious affiliation, and for which I do not have the desire to investigate.

Sadly, my "home" Assembly uses this book for Gospel and even Ministry meetings. But (by the grace of  God,) it has never been considered for use at the Breaking of Bread!) It continues to cause some few of us, and we are a small company, much heartache, but two "reasons" are given for its retention: It was already in use before the majority of the Assembly "members" arrived at Bethany; and (O so sad to hear!) the unbelievers who come to the Gospel Meeting like it, and are encouraged to choose the hymns that are sung on these occasions! 

Lovingly, I would entreat my brethren who have not fallen foul of this publication to shun it, and to those who use it at present please spend a little time in perusal of it and make a careful judgement. If you have similar reservations to mine, be bold and cease to use it, and I believe you will find a blessing.