The Arts in Mennonite Churches

Congregational singing is an especially important aspect of worship in the Mennonite tradition, the most unique aspect of which is unaccompanied four-part congregational singing. A new congregational hymnal and the contributions of many Mennonites in various artistic arenas are important signs of renewed vitality in the Mennonite churches.

Hymnal: A Worship Book, 1992, is the latest Mennonite hymnal, a joint project of the Mennonite Church (MC), General Conference Mennonite Church (GC), and the Church of the Brethren. Its predecessor was The Mennonite Hymnal, 1969, published by the Mennonite Church and General Conference Mennonite Church, the two largest Mennonite groups of North America. To include “worship” in the new book’s title indicates growing care about how worship happens. The music and written aids are grouped by worship act: gathering, praising/adoring, confessing/reconciling, proclaiming, affirming the faith, praying, offering, witnessing, and sending. Supplemental materials published with the hymnal are Hymnal: Companion, Hymnal: Accompaniment Handbook, and related monographs, “A House of Our Hymns,” “Planning Worship Services,” “The Importance of Music in Worship,” and “Our Hymnology Shapes Our Theology.”

Enthusiastic, unaccompanied singing in four parts is an earmark of congregational song among Mennonites, especially in Mennonite churches, but the tradition is fading in some places. Along with fine congregational singing, the General Conference Mennonite churches also enjoy a strong heritage of choral and organ contributions to worship. Choruses, Scripture songs, and worship-and-praise songs are used by numerous congregations. As newer styles and concepts of worship are being adopted, some traditional musical elements are being lost. Some congregations, however, are learning to merge the various styles. In addition, as Mennonites carry out their mission to include all peoples, rich musical contributions are being made by African-Americans, Hispanics, and various native American and Asian American groups.

Mennonite worship has been heavily word-oriented with emphasis on the sermon, and until recently that has been acceptable. Some people want change, but not all agree on the nature and extent of the change that may be needed. The artistic expression that has existed has come traditionally through congregational song, seasonal choral programs, and performance of large works by area choral organizations. Mennonite places of worship employ little symbolic art, although examples of fine visual art have been created for worship. Often visual art, such as a banner, is created with little or no artistic understanding. Meanwhile, certain artists hesitate to create art for worship without a clear theological statement to guide them. Drama includes storytelling and Bible sketches. Pageantry and liturgical dance are utilized by various congregations.

Among Mennonites, one finds prominent artists throughout the range of artistic expression from the opera house to theater stage, art gallery to dance studio, concert hall to film, and play script to potter’s wheel. In 1989 the Association of Mennonites in the Arts was founded to provide a network for encouragement and support of the arts and artists and to give direction for artists wanting to relate to the church. The Association started a directory of Mennonite-related artists, including those who are professional or amateur, full-time or part-time.