Chalice Praise

Encounter, Autumn 2004 by Parsons, Mark David

Chalice Praise. Edited by David P. Polk. St. Louis: Chalice Press, 2003. Full Music Edition: 448 pages. Pew Edition: 250 pages

Chalice Praise is a new songbook for Christian worship containing 190 selections, including some by Disciples musicians not found elsewhere. About half of the songs are contained in the first two sections, gathering (praising) and centering, following the typical pattern of energetic praise moving to contemplative intimacy with God. The other four sections add songs for prayer, response, communion, and departing that are sometimes missing from similar contemporary collections. The Pew Edition is a small 5.5" x 8.5" perfect-bound book that contains lead sheets for each song - melody, chord symbols, and lyrics - and indexes of copyright and compositional sources, scripture references, and song titles. The Full Music Edition is a larger, 8.5" x 11" spiral-bound book that adds keyboard accompaniments and additional indexes of topics, musical keys, and contemporary songs in the Chalice Hymnal. These are high quality books, with sturdy cover and very readable and accurate music notation.

Some recent supplements - like The Faith We Sing (United Methodist and soon a Presbyterian version), Sing! A New Creation (Reformed), and Worship and Praise (Lutheran) - are "blended" books that expand on material in earlier denominational hymnals and contain both modern hymns and contemporary songs. It includes numerous congregationally-oriented praise choruses with simple rhythms and melodies in an easy pop style. It also includes many newer songs that draw on more complex performance idioms inspired by the growing commercial popularity of contemporary Christian music. With a broader range of contemporary music, Chalice Praise has a somewhat fresher overall sound than the other collections.

What comes with the contemporary sound, however, is not always as fresh. Arguably, many of these contemporary songs focus on attractive sound more than words. It is difficult to find texts in this collection that have any real vitality without the music. With occasional exceptions, most of the songs here tend toward bland expressions of piety, sometimes in hackneyed terms. While the music of these songs may be contemporary and relevant, the poetry is better described as merely recent and ordinary.

The prominence of music over texts also has theological consequences. In the preface to the Full Music Edition, David Polk and Timothy Carson warn that some contemporary songs may be musically compelling, but have texts that are at odds with out own theological understanding. The primary editorial task, then, is to undertake "extensive filtering" to provide "a collection of songs that is theologically palatable." This seems to suggest that certain musically attractive songs can be included if the words are deemed sufficiently agreeable to avoid a theological gag reflex when sung.

Although this "filtering" has sifted out the most disagreeable elements, certain inherent theological weaknesses remain. Too many of the songs still rely on traditional images of Godly power and rule that are asynchronous with more progressive contemporary understandings. Scripture is used selectively, such as choosing only Psalm verses deemed appropriate for praise, while exercising nearly all of the Psalms that express doubt, confusion, struggle, lament, and other vital aspects of faith. The songs never make real contact with the contemporary context, glossing over many of the complex issues people actually face in today's world. There is a routine focus on the personal presence of God, eschewing the broader Christian story of God's active love on behalf of the whole creation.

Because it focuses almost exclusively on contemporary styles, Chalice Praise does not benefit from "blending" that might help mitigate these theological weaknesses. For some congregations, this will diminish its usefulness as a core resource for worship. At the same time, Chalice Press can be used effectively when paired with other resources that will broaden its theological perspectives. As a supplement, it is the best single resource for congregations that wish to expand their worship repertoire into contemporary songs and choruses.

Mark David Parsons

Disciples Seminary Foundation