First Person Account: Baptist Hymnal Becomes a Reality

Written by Terry Terry

Terry Terry, manager of publishing and operations for  LifeWay Worship, serves as production manager of the Worship Project. Since 2006, a cross-divisional team comprised of LifeWay Worship, legal and IT met weekly to develop and create the  Worship Project, as well as the new hymnal. Terry was also on the executive selection committee that helped determine the content of the hymnal. Terry traveled in April 2008 to Berryville, Va., to see the first copies of the hymnal roll off the press. He shares his thoughts . . .

SLIDESHOW Tour the Berryville Graphics facility with Terry Terry and watch the new Baptist Hymnal come off the presses.

I was impressed with the folks at Berryville Graphics and their attention to detail, but I was more taken with believers in key roles who told me how thrilled they were to be producing our hymnal.

I had watched the printing process on those big web presses — they're not unlike the newspaper I worked for while I was in college. I got a chill seeing those pages run, knowing the music that was on them and how it would minister to the body of Christ. It was exciting to see the cases being assembled, and to load a few cases as they were about to be married to book blocks. As I followed the production line down and watched the books being cured, I was still fascinated by the book-making process. The bindery supervisor pulled a book off the line and handed it to me. It was still hot. I could not even speak. I was so overcome, I hugged the guy and he whispered, "You're welcome."

I was so taken with the fact that it was a real hymnal. As I looked through the pages, I saw those great majestic hymns and gospel songs I grew up singing from the Baptist Hymnal (1956), right across the page from things I learned three or four years ago, those newer expressions of faith, of redemption, and of worship. I prayed for believers who will hold this book, raising their voices in song, in praise of our Abba Father, Jesus our Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit. Recalling that moment still brings tears to my eyes.

I am blessed to have been a part of this project, and grasp, as fully as one can, that this has only come about through the grace of God! He pulled this off. Praise His name!

 

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