I’ve worked on this hymn for quite some time and am finally nearing completion. My intent has been to rejoice in the church in such a way that her Savior is exalted and to express the truth that my love for the Body is a result of my love for her Head.
It may be sung to Yorkshire.
________
I Love Your Church
I love Your church, the Flock bought with Your blood:
Sheep, gone astray, now found and brought to God.
Guarded and fed by shepherds You provide,
With You, Good Shepherd, she is satisfied!
Chorus:
May Christ be praised: “Preeminent! Adored!”
I love Your church, because I love her Lord.
I love Your church, the Body sanctified:
Fashioned to be distinct, yet unified.
Strengthened by gifts Your Spirit wise bestows:
You are her Head, and into You she grows.
I love Your church, the Temple You indwell:
Built by her Lord, she triumphs over hell.
Foundation firm: Apostles’ doctrine pure;
Christ is her Corner, once despised, but sure!
I love Your church, my Fam’ly dear on earth:
Brethren, once strange, now joined through second birth.
Astounding love—to be called sons of God!
They joy in chast’ning from a Father good.
I love Your church, Your Army for the war:
Soldiers courageous, braving hardship sore.
In armor clad, they wield the Spirit’s Sword.
With Christ as Captain triumph is assured!
I love Your church, her Ordinances rare:
Symbols ordained to show her Savior fair.
Immersion’s flood succeeds redeeming faith;
Sweet wine and bread remind of Jesus’ death.
I love Your church, the Bride which You pursued:
Unseemly maid, yet sanctified and wooed.
Your selfless love is model for her own.
Bridegroom, her Joy, “Come quickly.” Take her home!
Filed under: Devotional Thoughts, Ministry Resources, The Hymn Shop
Wow, Chris, that’s pretty good. I don’t know how you found time to compose a hymn, considering everything else you have on your plate right now. Besides pastoring and getting started on a new building, you are reading and writing on worship, fending off charges of legalism, dry-vaccing your neighbor’s basements, and debating a seminary president, all while watching him and other Christian leaders mow your lawn. You may be “cowardly” and “weak” but at least you are not un-productive. :)
BTW, I’m not sure what you mean by “Immersion’s flood succeeds redeeming faith.” I didn’t quite get that line but it’s probably just me.
Let me add my words of commendation. Great job, Chris. I love it!
Andy,
I believe what he’s getting at is that baptism (Immersion’s flood) follows (succeeds) regeneration (redeeming faith), i.e. believer’s baptism. And all of this coming from a “Bible-Church” guy rather than a Baptist! ;-)
I was thinking of succeed in the sense of “turning out well” or “reaching a desired goal.” For some reason, the idea of “follow” never hit me, even though it should have.
Hi, guys. I said that the hymn is “nearing completion.” The fact that an avid student of theology doesn’t understand it would indicate that it could use some more work. :)
I’m leaning towar “Immersion’s flood–a testament of faith;” Is that an improvement?
And thanks for the kind words.
Very well done! FWIW, I do think that your suggestion of “Immersion’s flood–a testament of faith” is both stronger and clearer (although I did understand your initial reference).
I think you’re right, Lyn. I’ll address it & get out a fresh copy in a while.
While I’m at it, are there any other things that make somebody scratch your head?
Yeah, Chris! I love your hymn. Heh-heh. Couldn’t resist. It’s not exactly Tersteegen, but it’ll do :-) Just kiding. It’s full of great stuff. And literary, too. If you write 7 more stanzas maybe Dr. Jones will use it at BJ’s Commencement next year! Has your church sung it yet? What a great text for a celebratory Sunday: church dedication, etc. I like it even better than “To God Be the Glory”!
You have achieved what good hymnwriters seek: clear, simple ideas expressed in parallel literary style; doctrinal statements that reflect belief and practice, while being broad enough to be affirmed by congregations (Ever notice how few hymns we have about dress standards?), word choice that incorporates Biblical language, allusion and thought. (Not an exhaustive list, just my cluttered musings.)
Dave Stertzbach (tongue firmly planted in cheek)
Chris,
I was reading this hymn again today, and noticed that it fits quite well with Dan Forrest’s music for Eileen Berry’s lyrics–a Kids4Truth song–”All I Find in You”. We are going to put it into our prepared music or congregational music cycle this quarter–to that tune…