Pastoral Brief: The Power of Hymnody

Abstract

As we consider hymnody, the connection of specific hymns with specific occasions, Professor Brug remarks, “It is not a pastor’s responsibility to create such milestones and memories for his people, but it is his responsibility to create the environment in which such memories can grow and thrive. Above all, the pastor must be a student of the Bible and the catechism, but he must always remain a student of the hymnal.” This Pastoral Brief reflects on how important this is as Professor Brug considers various episodes from his life where the powerful message of a hymn beautifully conveyed the occasion at hand.