John L. Bell

John L. Bell
www.giamusic.com/bios
Short Name: John L. Bell
Full Name: Bell, John L. (John Lamberton), 1949-
Birth Year: 1949

John Lamberton Bell (born 1949, Kilmarnock, Ayrshire) is a hymn-writer. A Church of Scotland minister, he is a member of the Iona Community, a broadcaster, and former student activist. He works throughout the world, often 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.

Bell studied at the University of Glasgow where in 1974 he was elected President of the Students' Representative Council. His election represented a significant development as it was the start of a few years' control by the left wing of the SRC. Bell was quite open about his Christian religious beliefs, wearing a wooden cross-shaped pendant.

In 1977 he was elected Rector of the University, while he was still a student. This was part of a trend for student rectors in Scotland at that time (which included Gordon Brown at the University of Edinburgh) but the rules were later changed to prevent students from standing for this post.
Music career

After a period in the Netherlands and two posts in church youth work, he became employed full-time in the areas of music and worship with the Wild Goose Resource Group. He is a past convener of the Church of Scotland’s Panel on Worship and also convened the Committee to revise the Church Hymnary.

In 1999 he was honoured by the Presbyterian Church in Canada and the Royal School of Church Music which bestowed a Fellowship on him, and in 2002 he was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Glasgow.

Bell has produced (sometimes in collaboration with Graham Maule) many collections of original hymns and songs and two collections of songs of the World Church. These are published by the Iona Community in Scotland and by G.I.A. Publications (Chicago) in North America. Several collections of his work have been published in translation in Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish, Danish, Dutch, Frisian, Japanese and German.
Broadcasting

He is a frequent broadcaster, and often presents programmes on the BBC, majoring on contemporary religious songs from various parts of the world. He is quite a regular contributor to "Thought for the Day", part of Radio 4's Today programme.

In 2005, the BBC apologised for a broadcast by Bell in which he suggested that a Muslim corporal conscripted into the Israeli army had been jailed for refusing to shoot Palestinian children. The broadcast itself was a fairly innocuous plea for understanding between the two sides with conflicting claims in the Middle East, yet was interpreted by those of one allegiance as an attack. Neither the BBC nor the Israeli military were able to find any evidence supporting the story or the existence of a soldier fitting the description. It was further pointed out that Israeli Arabs are not subject to conscription. Bell acknowledged that parts of his story were incorrect and that the broadcast could have been interpreted by some parties as "furtive racism", though he countered that "such a conjecture would be completely untrue". It was also reported that a spokesman at the Israeli embassy said, "We appreciate that the BBC has apologised; however, it is a pity as the damage is irreparable.[...]"
Church Hymnary (Fourth Edition)

John Bell was the Convener (and music editor) of the committee which drafted the Church of Scotland's Church Hymnary (Fourth Edition). The committee first met in 1994; the Fourth Edition was finally published in 2005. Music edition: ISBN 1-85311-613-0

--www.wikipedia.org



Texts by John L. Bell (127)sort iconAsInstances
God, let me like a spreading treeJohn L. Bell, b. 1949 (Adapter)2
[Amen, amen it shall be so]John Bell (Author)3
Be still and know that I am God (Bell)John Bell (Author)7
Before I take the body of my LordJohn Bell (Author)6
[Before the World Began]John Bell (b. 1949) (Author)3
Behold the Lamb of God, behold the Lamb of GodJohn L. Bell, 1949- (Author)2
[Bless, O my soul, the Lord your God]John Bell (Author)2
[Blessed Are You Poor]John Bell (Author)2
Blest be God, blest be God for everJohn L. Bell (Adapter)3
Christ has risen while earth slumbersJohn L. Bell, b. 1949 (Author)6
The first is for God's promiseJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (Author)2
Christ's is the world in which we moveJohn L. Bell, b. 1949 (Author)3
Clap your hands all you nations, Shout for joy all you peopleJohn L. Bell (Paraphraser)1
Come and let us worship GodJohn Bell, b. 1949 (Translator)2
Come, Holy Spirit, Come, Holy SpiritJohn Bell, b. 1949 (Author)2
Come, Holy Spirit, Descend on usJohn L. Bell (Author)2
Come, Holy Spirit, Gracious heavenly doveJohn L. Bell (Author)2
Come, Host of Heav'n's high dwelling placeJohn L. Bell, b. 1949 (Author)3
Come to me, come to me, Weak and heavy ladenJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (Author)2
Come with me, come wanderJohn L. Bell, b. 1949 (Author)3
Comfort, comfort ye my peopleJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (revised)1
Darkness is gone, daylight has comeJohn L. Bell, b. 1949 (Author)2
[Do Not be Vexed]John Bell (Author)2
Don't be afraid. My love is strongerJohn L. Bell, b. 1949 (Author)2
[Easter Evening]John Bell (Author)2
Flow gently, sweet Spirit, flow into my soulJohn Bell (Author)2
For all the saints who've shown your loveJohn Bell, b. 1949 (Author)6
For the world and all its peopleJohn L. Bell (Author (English version))3
For you, the pride from my heart is banishedJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (Author)2
From the falter of breath, through the silence of deathJohn L. Bell, b. 1949 (Author)4
[Gloria 1, 2]John Bell (Author)2
Glory to God aboveJohn L. Bell (Paraphraser)2
Go, silent friend, your life has found its endingJohn L. Bell (Author)3
God beyond glory, gracious and holyJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (Author)2
God bless to us our breadJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (English text)2
God give us life when all aroundJohn L. Bell (Author)3
God, give us peace that lastsJohn L. Bell, b. 1949 (Author)2
God, in the planning and purpose of lifeJohn L. Bell, b. 1949 (Author)4
God it was who said to AbrahamJohn L. Bell, b. 1949 (Author)2
God the Creator, You in love made meJohn L. Bell, 1949- (Author)2
[God to enfold you]John Bell (Author)2
God unites his scattered peopleJohn Bell (Author)3
God, who made the earth, declared it good in the beginningJohn L. Bell (Author (English version))2
Goodness is stronger than evilJohn L. Bell, b. 1949 (Adapter)1
Great, and high, and holy LordJohn Bell (Author)2
He came down that we may have loveJohn Bell, b. 1949 (Translator)1
Heaven shall not waitJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (Author)2
"Here I stand at the doorJohn L. Bell (Author)2
How can we live as Christians hereJohn L. Bell, b. 1949 (Author)2
I shall praise you, O God, from my soulJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (Author)2
I sought him dressed in finest clothesJohn Bell (Author)3
I waited patiently for God, For God to hear my prayerJohn L. Bell (Author)2
[I Was Glad] (Bell)John Bell (Author)2
I will always bless the LordJohn L. Bell (Author)2
[I Will Arise] (Bell)John Bell (Author)2
In a byre near BethlehemJohn L. Bell, b. 1949 (Author)2
In complete desperationJohn L. Bell, b. 1949 (Author)2
[In deep distress] (Bell)John Bell (Author)2
Infinite God, how great thou artJohn Bell (Author)3
Inspired by love and angerJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (Author)2
It is good to give thanks to you, LordJohn L. Bell (Author)3
Jesus calls us here to meet himJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (Author)3
Jesus Christ is waitingJohn L. Bell (Author)3
Jesus Christ, our living Lord, we believe you keep your word.John L. Bell (b. 1949) (Author)1
Mfurahini, haleluya (Christ Has Arisen, Alleluia)John L. Bell (b. 1949) (English version)1
Jesus is risen from the graveJohn L. Bell (1949-) (Author)3
Lay down your head, Lord Jesus ChristJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (Author)2
Let heaven your wonders proclaimJohn L. Bell, b. 1949 (Author)2
Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates, Behold the King of glory waitsJohn L. Bell, b. 1949 (Adapter)2
Look and learn from the birds of the airJohn Bell, b. 1949 (Translator)5
Lord, draw near. Lord, draw nearJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (Author)2
Lord, who may enter your house?John L. Bell (Author)2
[Love One Another] (Bell and Maule)John Bell (Author)2
May God draw near when the hour of trouble strikesJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (Author)2
No wind at the windowJohn L. Bell, b. 1949 (Author)3
Nourished by the rainfall, the earth can come aliveJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (English version)2
Now let God's people, let God's IsraelJohn L. Bell (Author)2
Now that evening fallsJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (Author)2
Now the day is doneJohn L. Bell (1949-) (Author)2
[O Bless the Lord] (Bell)John Bell (Author)2
O Christ, you wept when grief was rawJohn L. Bell (Author)3
[O Give Thanks to the Lord] (Bell)John Bell (Author)2
O God, you are my God aloneJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (Author)2
O great God and Lord of the earthJohn L. Bell (Author)4
O Lamb of God most preciousRev. John Bell (Author)3
O Lord, our Lord, throughout the earthJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (Author)3
One is the body and one is the HeadJohn L. Bell (Author)3
Praise to the Lord for the joys of the earthJohn L. Bell, b. 1949 (Author)3
[Prepare the Way of the Lord] (Bell)John Bell (Author)2
Ride on, ride on, the time is rightJohn L. Bell (Author)3
[Sanctus and Benedictus (St. Bride Setting)]John Bell (Composer)2
Shake up the morning, let the dawn undressJohn L. Bell, b. 1949 (Author)2
She sits like a bird, brooding on the watersJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (Author)3
[Should I Rehearse with Human Voice]John Bell (Author)3
Shout for joy! The Lord has let us feastJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (Author)1
[Sing out, My Soul] (Bell)John Bell (Author)2
Sing praise to God on mountain topsJohn L. Bell (Author)2
Singing, we glady worship the Lord togetherJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (English version by)2
So much wrong and so much injusticeJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (English version)2
Take, O take me as I amJohn Bell, b. 1949 (Author)8
Take this moment, sign, and spaceJohn L. Bell, b. 1949 (Author)4
Te ensalzaré, Señor (I will praise you, O Lord)John L. Bell (Author (attributed to))2
That human life might richer beJohn L. Bell, b. 1949 (Author)2
The God of all eternityJohn L. Bell, b. 1949 (Author)3
[The Servant] (Bell)John Bell (Author)2
The time was early eveningJohn L. Bell, b. 1949 (Author)2
There is a place prepared for little childrenJohn L. Bell (Author)2
This is the body of ChristJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (Author)2
Though hope desert my heartJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (Author)2
Today I awake and God is before meJohn L. Bell, b. 1949 (Author)4
We cannot care for you the way we wantedJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (Author)2
We cannot measure how you healJohn L. Bell, b. 1949 (Author)10
We come, dear Lord, to celebrateJohn L. Bell (Author)2
We will lay our burden downJohn L. Bell, 1949- (Author)1
Sizohamba naye, wo wo wo (We will walk with God, my brothers)John L. Bell, b. 1949 (Translator)2
What shall we pray for those who diedJohn L. Bell (Author)2
When Jesus longed for us to knowJohn L. Bell (b. 1949) (Author)2
Pues si vivimos para Él vivimos (When we are living, it is in Christ Jesus)John L. Bell (b. 1949) (English version)1
PrayersJohn Bell (Author)1
[While the earth remains]John Bell (Author)2
Who is the baby an hour or two oldJohn L. Bell, b. 1949 (Author)3
Who would think that what was neededJohn L. Bell, b. 1949 (Author)3
Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?John L. Bell, b. 1949 (Author)10
[Women and Men as God intended]John Bell (Author)2
Word of the FatherJohn L. Bell (Author)2
You cunning liar, why publicizeJohn L. Bell (Reviser)2
Your will be done on earth, Lord (Mayenziwe 'ntando yakho)John L. Bell (Author)1