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

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