Hymnals and doctrinal fellowship
I am a member of a WELS church that uses Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal (CW) and Christian Worship: Supplement (CWS) as our main hymnals. I know that CW is the main hymnal of the synod, but some churches within the WELS still use The 1941 Lutheran Hymnal (TLH). I also know that soon the WELS will be publishing a new hymnal. My question is, do WELS congregations have to use the CW/CWS or TLH, or can congregations choose to use another confessional Lutheran hymnal, such as the 2006 LCMS Lutheran Service Book or even hymnals of other Christian denominations as either the main hymnal or a supplemental hymnal to the CW/TLH?
Since God, in his word, has not specifically addressed a subject like this, the matter lies in the area of Christian freedom. When it comes to Christian freedom, the Bible does provide guidance. It instructs us to use our Christian freedom with an eye toward others (Romans 14; 1 Corinthians 8, 10). That means that we don’t necessarily or automatically do what we want to do, but we take into account the thoughts and consciences of others.
While our congregations and their choirs might occasionally use music and liturgical pieces from churches and organizations beyond our fellowship, the regular use of a hymnal from church bodies with whom we are not in doctrinal fellowship could easily prove to be confusing and bothersome to members of our congregations and the people who visit them. Personally, I would not want to generate such confusion and potential offense. More than providing me with outlets for action, Christian freedom also furnishes me with the right not to do something out of concern for others.
As with many other decisions that can be made, the choice of regular worship materials provides an opportunity for congregations to “walk together” (that is the picture behind “synod”). We walk together not because we have to but because we want to. “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1)