Why the Hymns project?For several years now, I have noticed that the hymns have been fading from use in churches. They have been replaced with praise choruses & songs by Contemporary Christian artists. While these songs certainly have their place in worshipping God, the hymns still contain some beautiful melodies and lyrics filled with meaning and depth that bring an element to worship that is different than the more contemporary music. Having said that, I understand why hymns are fading from our experience. Just as we no longer relate well to Gregorian Chant , beautiful as it is, the music itself feels very old to a 21st century audience. It has ceased to be an expression that comes from today's heart. There is a strict unbending beat in most hymns and it's not unusual that the emphasis musically is on the wrong syllable of the word. The emotion of the message is sometimes lost to the powerful beat. I grew up with the hymns. One of my best memories is of my mother singing"His Eye Is On The Sparrow" as she went about her day. The church I grew up in was a wonderful church musically. There was an orchestra, a full choir and robust congregational singing. You could sing as loud as you could sing and still not hear yourself. Everyone felt free to make their joyful noise before the Lord. I wish everyone could have such an experience. The hymns hold a special place in my heart and for that reason, I want to do what I can to give them a second life, but I understand that doing them as they have always been done will not attract a new generation. So, what kind of music might reach the heart of people today? Contemporary Christian music is good for people who are already in the church, but what about a broader base? What kind of music is well liked by everyone? Michael Buble, Harry Connick, Jr., Sinatra. The style of the old jazz standards seems to be very well liked. It happens, also, to be a style I really enjoy singing. So.... there you have it, old hymns done in the old jazz standards style. I mentioned this idea to a friend expecting a shocked response, but without even batting an eye, he said,"Sure. Second Line." Well, I had never heard of the second line, so he explained that it had to do with the New Orleans jazz funerals & they did hymns in the jazz style all the time. That really piqued my curiosity, so I checked it out. It seems that the main line, or the first line, is the actual funeral procession. They move down the street, playing blues and dirges that are symbolic of the cares of this world while taking the body to its final resting place. After placing the body in the grave, the group turns around and comes back, this time celebrating the person's new life in heaven, so the music is happy. This is the second line and anyone who is nearby is welcome to join the celebration and to contribute whatever they want to contribute, whatever music is on their heart. There is great freedom in the second line - freedom to join in even if you never knew the deceased, freedom to express your own heart.I couldn't help but see the connection to the good news of the Bible. In the second line, as in Christianity, anyone is welcome to join the parade. Jesus has opened the party to anyone who wants to join and He wants you to express your true heart. He wants your true worship, from your heart, not what someone else has told you to do. He wants your joy to flow freely from you. He loves you and He knows it isn't love if it's done out of duty and done in a way that isn't honest to who you are.So, this is my effort to give a second life to these wonderful old hymns and to bring that freedom to them that Jesus brings to those who love Him. He made you, after all, and he knows when you are truly free to express love. So... join the parade, come and sing and dance in the second line. Let the joy and laughter carry you through those difficult days ahead. Celebrate that we will rise like our savior from the dead. The invitation is for everyone, come and join the second line.