As the accompanying article points out, traditional hymns of the church often reflect the pastoral nature of the eras in which they were written, with language and phraseology that are more expressive of those earlier periods.
While contemporary imagery can be found in some of the church’s new hymnody, CHRISTIANITY TODAY would like to encourage further development of new expressions of the historic faith of the church, and is therefore sponsoring a new hymn contest.
The hymn poetry should express basic evangelical belief in no less than three but no more than five stanzas, and must be capable of being sung to a specific existent, designated, standard hymn tune. CHRISTIANITY TODAY staff and a panel of judges composed of musicians Donald P. Hustad, Norman Johnson, and Richard Dinwiddie, and poet Luci Shaw will review entries.
The following prizes will be awarded: first prize, $250; second prize, $100; third prize, $50; up to five honorable mentions (no monetary value) will be made. The winning entries will be published in CHRISTIANITY TODAY’s 1982 music issue.
Entries, one per envelope (up to a maximum of three from any one individual) should be sent to CT Hymn Contest, 465 Gundersen Drive, Carol Stream, Illinois 60187. All entries must be received (not postmarked) by February 1, 1982.
Here are the contest rules (reprints are available on written request only, accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope):
1. CHRISTIANITY TODAY will not be responsible for any entries that are lost or delayed in delivery. CT also reserves the right to disqualify mutilated, altered, or illegible entries, as well as any entries that do not comply with these rules.
2. No more than three submissions will be accepted from any one person, and only one hymn per envelope is permitted. Mechanical (photo copy, etc.) reproductions are ineligible.
3. Only one prize will be awarded for each winning entry. Any tax liability on prizes will be the responsibility of winners. There will be no substitute prizes awarded.
4. Entry by persons in this contest constitutes: (a) full permission to CHRISTIANITY TODAY or to anyone authorized by CHRISTIANITY TODAY to use, publish, and publicize the entries and the names of entrants in any manner without further compensation; (b) a warrant and representation that the entry is the original work of the entrant and does not infringe the property rights or rights of privacy of any third party or parties, and that the entrant has the full right to enter the contest and transfers the rights in the entry to CHRISTIANITY TODAY; and (c) agreement by the entrant to hold CHRISTIANITY TODAY harmless for any claims by any third parties arising from any use of the entry. Winners will be required to agree in writing to the above. If any winner is a minor, the parents or guardian will be required to assume the above obligations on behalf of the minor.
5. Winners will be announced in CHRISTIANITY TODAY’s 1982 music issue (Aug. 6) as well as notified by mail. All entrants agree, upon entering the contest, that CHRISTIANITY TODAY has the sole right to decide all matters or disputes arising from the contest, and that CHRISTIANITY TODAY’s determination of winners shall be final and binding. All entries will be judged on the basis of appropriateness, conformity to basic evangelical doctrine, and originality of thought by judges appointed by CHRISTIANITY TODAY. All decisions of the judges will be final.
6. The contest is subject to all federal, state, and local laws, and is void where prohibited.
7. All winning entries become the property of CHRISTIANITY TODAY. No entries will be returned to contestants.
8. In fairness to all concerned, no member of the CHRISTIANITY TODAY staff can discuss this contest by phone, mail, or in any other way with entrants.
9. This contest is open to everyone except employees of Christianity Today, Inc., and their families.
