Office Bearers

GS 2025 Article 160 – SCBP (Book of Praise) Report Section One, Part 5 (Publishing and Funding)

1. Material

  • 1.1    SCBP report to GS 2025 (8.2.8.1).
  • 1.2    Letters from the churches: Aldergrove (8.3.8.1.1), Elm Creek (8.3.8.1.20), Fergus (Maranatha) (8.3.8.1.24), Grassie (Covenant) (8.3.8.1.30), Guelph (Immanuel) (8.3.8.1.31), Hamilton (Providence) (8.3.8.1.33), St. Albert (8.3.8.1.41), Willoughby Heights (8.3.8.1.46).

2.   Admissibility

  • 2.1    The report was declared admissible.
    • Grounds: The report is from a standing synodical committee and was received on time.
  • 2.2    Letters from the churches were declared admissible.
    • Grounds: The letters from the churches interact with this part of the SCBP report to GS 2025 and were received on time.

3.   Observations

  • 3.1    The SCBP was mandated to survey the churches to determine the priority/relative importance regarding types of availability (digital, open-source, print), formatting (e.g., four-part harmony), and other publication variables (including copyright) regarding the Book of Praise, as listed in the SCBP report:
    • To review the input of the churches and, on that basis, propose a publishing and funding model to GS 2025.
  • 3.2    The SCBP surveyed the churches and discovered:
    • 3.2.1    Layout: There is a strong appreciation for the current print editions of our Book of Praise. The SCBP is hoping to assist the churches with a digital version with full notation. While a small number of churches would like an authorized four-part version of the songs in our Book of Praise either alongside or instead of the current version, the large majority prefer to keep the Book of Praise as is.
    • 3.2.2    Copyright: The SCBP is moving forward with the recommendation that the use of copyrighted songs is a possibility and preference. The SCBP were encouraged to perhaps make available, as an open-source document, a digital version of the non-copyrighted content of our psalms and hymns for anyone to use. This and other decisions about what might be made available will have to be determined, depending on funding considerations.
    • 3.3.3    Funding considerations: Many churches suggest the publication of an authorized augment. There is a strong sentiment that we should not publish a new version of the Book of Praise too quickly, especially in light of potential revisions to liturgical forms. There is a general consensus that the costs for the layout and publication should be shared by the churches rather than by the publisher. The publisher could then charge a fair price for printing only.
  • 3.3    On the matter of funding, the SCBP has been unable to complete the discussion with the publisher. Therefore, the SCBP asks that this mandate be renewed for another three years.
  • 3.4    The SCBP believes that the publication of an authorized augment with the layout and publication costs borne by the churches in common would be the most stewardly approach at this time. Most churches that responded to the report agree.
  • 3.5    Elm Creek wonders if analysis has been done considering the difference between printing a small augment or an updated Book of Praise.
  • 3.6    Willoughby Heights suggests that the SCBP be given a mandate to remind the churches annually of their obligations with a view to copyright law, and clear instructions as to how these obligations might be met.
  • 3.7    In their report (Section One, Part 6), the SCBP requested that the mandate to renew copyrights where necessary be extended.

 4.  Considerations

  • 4.1    The SCBP fulfilled their mandate to survey the churches.
  • 4.2    The churches request (and the SCBP desires) to have a digital version of the Book of Praise with full notations (including all additions and modifications approved by General Synod 2025) made available to the churches as soon as possible.
  • 4.3    To make available a digital version of the non-copyrighted content of our psalms and hymns for anyone to use as an open-source document, the SCBP will need to negotiate a fair agreement with the publisher to compensate them for the costs of layout and publication, including existing stock. Doing that would also make it possible to produce a low-cost digital version of the entire Book of Praise.
  • 4.4    The SCBP is correct to recognize that, in light of potential revisions to liturgical forms, we should not publish a new version of the Book of Praise too quickly. Publishing an authorized augment that includes all revised and additional psalms and hymns would be the most stewardly path forward at this time.
  • 4.5    Having the churches in common bear the costs of layout and pre-press preparations of an authorized augment is prudent and will make both print and digital versions available at the lowest possible cost.
  • 4.6    If general synod approves hymns that are dependent on four-part harmony (e.g. When Peace Like a River), the SCBP could continue to publish them in four-part harmony. All other hymns should be published in unison like the rest of the Book of Praise.
  • 4.7    It is important for the SCBP and the churches to comply with copyright laws.

5.   Recommendations

That Synod decide:

  • 5.1    To thank the Standing Committee for the Publication of the Book of Praise (SCBP) for their work with respect to the publishing and funding model;
  • 5.2    To mandate the SCBP to publish an authorized augment that includes the melody and text of new hymns and alternative psalms approved by GS 2025 and the previously approved changes to Hymns 1, 55, and 58. Any approved alternate psalms or additional hymns that are dependent on four-part harmony should be published in four-part harmony;
  • 5.3    To mandate the SCBP to produce digital versions of the Book of Praise and the authorized augment with full notations (including all additions and modifications approved by GS 2025) and make these available to the churches as soon as possible;
  • 5.4    To mandate the SCBP to negotiate a fair agreement with the publisher to compensate them for the costs of layout and publication (including existing stock) as soon as possible and make available a digital version of the royalty-free content of our psalms and hymns for anyone to use as an open-source document, free of charge and also make available a lower-cost digital version of the entire Book of Praise;
  • 5.5    To mandate the SCBP to renew copyrights where necessary;
  • 5.6    To mandate the SCBP to remind the churches of their obligations with a view to copyright law and provide clear instructions as to how these obligations might be met.

ADOPTED