John L. Bell

Short Name: John L. Bell
Full Name: Bell, John L. (John Lamberton), 1949-
Birth Year: 1949

John Bell (b. 1949) was born in the Scottish town of Kilmarnock in Ayrshire, intending to be a music teacher when he felt the call to the ministry. But in frustration with his classes, he did volunteer work in a deprived neighborhood in London for a time and also served for two years as an associate pastor at the English Reformed Church in Amsterdam. After graduating he worked for five years as a youth pastor for the Church of Scotland, serving a large region that included about 500 churches. He then took a similar position with the Iona Community, and with his colleague Graham Maule, began to broaden the youth ministry to focus on renewal of the church’s worship. His approach soon turned to composing songs within the identifiable traditions of hymnody that began to address concerns missing from the current Scottish hymnal:

"I discovered that seldom did our hymns represent the plight of poor people to God. There was nothing that dealt with unemployment, nothing that dealt with living in a multicultural society and feeling disenfranchised. There was nothing about child abuse…,that reflected concern for the developing world, nothing that helped see ourselves as brothers and sisters to those who are suffering from poverty or persecution." [from an interview in Reformed Worship (March 1993)]

That concern not only led to writing many songs, but increasingly to introducing them internationally in many conferences, while also gathering songs from around the world. He was convener for the fourth edition of the Church of Scotland’s Church Hymnary (2005), a very different collection from the previous 1973 edition. His books, The Singing Thing and The Singing Thing Too, as well as the many collections of songs and worship resources produced by John Bell—some together with other members of the Iona Community’s “Wild Goose Resource Group,” —are available in North America from GIA Publications.

Emily Brink

Wikipedia Biography

John Lamberton Bell (born 1949) is a Scottish hymn-writer and Church of Scotland minister. He is a member of the Iona Community, a broadcaster, and former student activist. He works throughout the world, lecturing in theological colleges in the UK, Canada and the United States, but is primarily concerned with the renewal of congregational worship at the grass roots level.

Texts by John L. Bell (199)sort ascendingAsAuthority LanguagesInstances
You cunning liar, why publicizeJohn L. Bell (Reviser)2
Ya Rab as-salami (God of peace and justice)John L. Bell (Translator)Arabic2
Word of the FatherJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (Author)3
Women and men as God intendedJohn Bell (Author)English3
With God all things are possibleJohn L. Bell (Author)English2
Will you come and follow meJohn L. Bell, b. 1949 (Author)English33
Whoever lives besides the LordJohn L. Bell (Author)English2
Whoever leads a blameless lifeJohn L. Bell (Author)English3
Who would think that what was neededJohn L. Bell (Author)11
Who would ever have believed itJohn L. Bell (Author)English3
Who is the baby an hour or two oldJohn L. Bell (Author)6
[While the earth remains]John L. Bell (Author)English2
PrayersJohn Bell (Author)English1
Pues si vivimos, para El vivimosJohn L. Bell, 1949 (Author (English))Spanish1
When we are living, we are in the LordJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (English version)English3
When trouble strikes and fear takes rootJohn L. Bell, 1949- (Author)English2
When our Lord walked the earthJohn L. Bell (Author)English2
When Jesus longed for us to knowJohn L. Bell (Author)3
When God Almighty came to earthJohn L. Bell (Author)English3
What shall we pray for those who diedJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (Author)4
Were I the perfect child of GodJohn L. Bell, b. 1949 (Author)2
Sizohamba naye, wo wo woJohn L. Bell, b. 1949 (Translator)English, Swati9
We will walk with God, my brothersJohn L. Bell, b. 1949 (Translator)English2
We will take what you offerJohn L. Bell (Author)English2
We will lay our burden downJohn L. Bell (Author)English5
We who live by sound and symbolJohn L. Bell (Author)English1
We rejoice to be God's chosenJohn L. Bell (Author)English2
We come, dear Lord, to celebrateJohn L. Bell (Author)3
We cannot measure how you healJohn L. Bell (Author)24
We cannot care for you the way we wantedJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (Author)5
Today I awake and God is before meJohn L. Bell, b. 1949 (Author)English9
To the fragile and the fearfulJohn L. Bell (Author (refrain))English2
To God, in the highestJohn L. Bell, 1949 (Author)English2
To be a soldierJohn L. Bell (Author)English3
Through our lives and by our prayersJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (Author)1
Though hope desert my heartJohn L. Bell (Author)5
This is the day of rest, To use as God intendedJohn L. Bell, b. 1949 (Author)English2
This is the body of ChristJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (Author)7
There is a place prepared for little childrenJohn L. Bell (Author)5
There is a line of womenJohn L. Bell (Author)English3
The time was early eveningJohn L. Bell (Author)2
[The Servant] (Bell)John L. Bell (Author)English2
The love of God comes closeJohn L. Bell (Author)English6
The Lord is my light, my light and my salvation (Iona Community)John L. Bell (Author)English1
The God of all eternityJohn L. Bell, b. 1949 (Author)English6
The first is for God's promiseJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (Author)5
That human life might richer beJohn L. Bell, b. 1949 (Author)3
Thank you for the nightJohn L. Bell (Author)English2
Te ensalzaré, Señor (I will praise you, O Lord, I will praise you, O Lord)John L. Bell (Translator)English, Spanish3
Te ensalzaré, Señor, Porque me has libradoJohn L. Bell, b. 1949 (Translator)Spanish1
Take this moment, sign, and spaceJohn L. Bell (Author)English11
Take, O take me as I amJohn L. Bell, 1949- (Author)English24
So much wrong and so much injusticeJohn L. Bell (Author (English))3
Sisters and brothers, with one voiceJohn L. Bell (Author)English2
Singing, we glady worship the Lord togetherJohn L. Bell (Author (English version))3
Sing praise to God on mountain topsJohn L. Bell (Author)English3
[Sing out, My Soul] (Bell)John Bell (Author)2
Sing, my soul, when hope is sleepingJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (Author)2
Since the world was youngJohn L. Bell, 1949- (Author)English2
Shout for joy! The Lord has let us feastJohn L. Bell, 1949- (Author)English7
[Should I Rehearse with Human Voice]John Bell (Author)English3
Shooting star and sunset shapeJohn L. Bell (Author)English4
She sits like a bird, brooding on the watersJohn L. Bell, 1949- (Author)English9
Shake up the morning, let the dawn undressJohn L. Bell (Author)2
[Sanctus and Benedictus (St. Bride Setting)]John Bell (Composer)English2
Ride on, ride on, the time is rightJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (Author)English4
Pull back the veil on the dawn of creationJohn L. Bell (Author)English2
[Prepare the Way of the Lord] (Bell)John Bell (Author)2
Praise with joy the world's CreatorJohn L. Bell, 1949- (Author)English2
Praise to the Lord for the joys of the earthJohn L. Bell (Author)5
Praise God for this holy groundJohn L. Bell (Author)4
Poor folk won't always be forgottenJohn L. Bell (Author)English2
One is the body and one is the HeadJohn L. Bell, b. 1949 (Author)English9
On God alone I wait silentlyJohn L. Bell (Author)2
O Lord, our Lord, throughout the earthJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (Author)English5
O great God and Lord of the earthJohn L. Bell (Author)English4
O God, you are my God alone, Whom eagerly I seekJohn Lamberton Bell, b. 1949 (Author)English6
[O Give Thanks to the Lord] (Bell)John L. Bell (Author)2
O Christ, you wept when grief was rawJohn L. Bell (Author)English4
[O Bless the Lord] (Bell)John Bell (Author)English2
Now the day is doneJohn L. Bell (1949-) (Author)2
Now that evening fallsJohn L. Bell (Author)5
Now let God's people, let God's IsraelJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (Author)3
Al caer la lluvia resurge con verdorJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (English version)Spanish2
Not the powerful, not the privilegedJohn L. Bell (Author)English2
No wind at the windowJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (Author)English9
Nears the ending of the dayJohn L. Bell (Author)English2
May God draw near when the hour of trouble strikesJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (Author)English3
[Love One Another] (Bell and Maule)John Bell (Author)2
Lord Jesus Christ, lover of allJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (Author)English5
Lord, hear our cryJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (Author)2
Lord, draw near. Lord, draw nearJohn L. Bell (Author)English2
Lord and lover of creationJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (Author)English1
Look and learn from the birds of the airJohn Bell (Translator)English6
Lifting my eyes up to the hillsJohn L. Bell (Author)English2
Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates, Behold the King of glory waitsJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (Adapter (v. 2-4))English4
Let heaven your wonders proclaimJohn L. Bell (Author)English2
Lay down your head, Lord Jesus ChristJohn L. Bell (Author)3
Kindle a flame to lighten the darkJohn L. Bell, b. 1949 (Author)English5
Just as a lost and thirsty deerJohn L. Bell, 1949- (Paraphraser)English2
Jesus is risen from the graveJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (Author)English5
Jesus is risen, alleluia!John L. Bell (b. 1949) (Author (English version))English5
Jesus Christ, our living Lord John L. Bell (Paraphraser (English))English5
Jesus Christ, Lord of allJohn L. Bell (Author)English2
Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ, Son of God among usJohn L. Bell (Author)English2
Jesus Christ is waitingJohn L. Bell, 1949- (Author)English11
Jesus calls us here to meet himJohn L. Bell (Author)English11
Je louerai l'Éternel de tout mon coeur (I'll praise eternal God with all my heart)John L. Bell (Translator)English, French2
James and Andrew, Peter and JohnJohn L. Bell (Author)English2
It is good to give thanks to you, Lord, To remember all you have doneJohn L. Bell, 1949- (Paraphraser)English4
Inspired by love and anger, disturbed by endless painJohn L. Bell (Author)8
Infinite God, how great Thou artJohn Bell (Author)English3
In love you summon, in love I followJohn L. Bell, b. 1949 (Author)English2
[In deep distress] (Bell)John L. Bell (Author)English2
In complete desperationJohn L. Bell (Author)2
In a byre near BethlehemJohn L. Bell, b. 1949 (Author)3
If you believe and I believe and we together prayJohn Bell (Arranger)English1
If the war goes onJohn L. Bell (Author)2
[I Will Arise] (Bell)John L. Bell (Author)English2
I will arise and go to my father, Come to my senses, confess what I've doneJohn L. Bell (Author)English2
I will always bless the LordJohn L. Bell (Paraphraser)English4
[I Was Glad] (Bell)John Bell (Author)English2
I waited patiently for God, For God to hear my prayerJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (Author)3
I waited, I waited on the LordJohn L. Bell, 1949- (Paraphraser)1
I sought him dressed in finest clothesJohn Bell (Author)English3
I shall praise you, O God, from my soulJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (Author)3
I owe my Lord a morning songJohn L. Bell, b. 1949 (Author)English3
I am the vine and you the branchesJohn L. Bell (Author)English2
How can we live as Christians hereJohn L. Bell, b. 1949 (Author)2
Holy forever and ever is GodJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (Author)2
"Here I stand at the doorJohn L. Bell (Author)2
Heaven shall not wait for the poor to lose their patienceJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (Author)Latin8
Hear the bells, how they ringJohn L. Bell (Author)1
He came down that we may have loveJohn Bell, b. 1949 (Translator)English1
He became poor that we may be richJohn L. Bell (Author)English3
Great, and high, and holy LordJohn Bell (Author)1
Goodness is stronger than evilJohn L. Bell, b. 1949 (Adapter)English5
God, who made the earth, declared it good in the beginningJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (Author (English version))3
God welcomes allJohn L. Bell (Author)3
God unites his scattered peopleJohn L. Bell (Author)English5
God to enfold youJohn L. Bell (Author)English4
God the Creator, You in love made meJohn L. Bell (1949-) (Author)2
God, let me like a spreading treeJohn L. Bell, b. 1949 (Adapter)2
God it was who said to AbrahamJohn L. Bell (Author)4
God, in the planning and purpose of lifeJohn L. Bell, b. 1949 (Author)English12
God, give us peace that lastsJohn Lamberton Bell (Author)4
God give us life when all aroundJohn L. Bell (1949-) (Author)4
God bless to us our breadJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (English text)English, French, Spanish4
God beyond gloryJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (Author)English4
God beyond all namesJohn L. Bell (Author)English2
Go, silent friend, your life has found its endingJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (Author)English5
Glory to God aboveJohn L. Bell (Author)English5
Glory and gratitude and praiseJohn L. Bell, b. 1959 (Author)English3
[Gloria 1, 2]John L. Bell (Author)English2
Gentler than air, wilder than windJohn L. Bell (Author)English2
Funny kind of nightJohn L. Bell, 1949- (Author)English2
From the falter of breath, through the silence of deathJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (Author)English6
For you, the pride from my heart is banishedJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (Author)3
For the world and all its peopleJohn L. Bell (Author (English version))5
For all the saints who've shown your loveJohn L. Bell, b. 1949 (Author)English10
Flow gently, sweet Spirit, flow into my soulJohn Bell (Author)English2
First-born of MaryJohn L. Bell (Author)English2
[Easter Evening]John L. Bell (Author)English2
Don't be afraid. My love is strongerJohn L. Bell (Author)English, French6
[Do Not be Vexed]John L. Bell (Author)English2
Darkness is gone, daylight has comeJohn L. Bell (Author)3
Darkness and light and all that's known by sightJohn L. Bell (Author)English2
Comfort, comfort ye my peopleJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (Alterer)English2
Come with me, come wander, come welcome the worldJohn L. Bell (Author)English4
Come to me, come to me, Weak and heavy ladenJohn L. Bell, b. 1949 (Author)English6
Come, Lord, be our guest, Find your way among usJohn L. Bell (Author)English3
Come, Host of Heav'n's high dwelling placeJohn L. Bell (Author)English6
Come, Holy Spirit, Come, Holy SpiritJohn Bell, b. 1949 (Author)English2
Come, Holy Spirit, Descend on usJohn L. Bell, b. 1949 (Author)English6
Come, Holy Spirit, Gracious heavenly doveJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (Author)3
Come and let us worship GodJohn L. Bell (Translator)English2
Cloth for the cradleJohn L. Bell (Author)1
Clap your hands all you nations; Amen, Hallelujah!John L. Bell, 1949- (Paraphraser)English3
Christ's is the world in which we moveJohn L. Bell (Author)English10
Christ has risen while earth slumbersJohn L. Bell, b. 1949 (Author)11
By your saving power deliver meJohn L. Bell, 1949- (Translator)English2
Brille tu luzJohn L. Bell (Author)Spanish2
Bread is blessed and brokenJohn L. Bell, 1949- (Author)6
Blest be God, blest be God for everJohn L. Bell (Adapter)English5
Blest are the poor in spirit, The kingdom of heaven is theirsJohn L. Bell (Author)English2
[Blessed Are You Poor]John Bell (Author)English2
[Bless, O my soul, the Lord your God]John L. Bell (Author)English2
Behold the Lamb of God, Behold the Lamb of GodJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (Author)English4
Behold, behold, I make all things newJohn L. Bell (Author)English4
Before the world beganJohn L. Bell, b. 1949 (Author)English6
Before I take the body of my LordJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (Author)English11
Because the Saviour prayed that we be oneJohn L. Bell, b. 1949 (Author)English2
Be still and know that I am God, Be still and know that I am GodJohn L. Bell, b. 1949 (Author)English2
Be still and know that I am God (Bell)John Bell (Author)English7
Be merciful to me, my God, for my enemies are in hot pursuitJohn L. Bell (Author (refrain))English2
As if you were not thereJohn L. Bell (Author)English2
And I will not sing aloneJohn L. Bell (Author)2
Among us and before us, Lord, you standJohn L. Bell (Author)English4
All day long I am under attackJohn L. Bell (Author)English1

Data Sources

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