The book, Understanding the New United Methodist Hymnal was published by Bristol Books in 1989 and was originally meant to serve as a study book to introduce congregations to the new hymnal.   It has, however, served as more than that as it serves as a history of Methodist music generally and Methodist hymnals specifically.   It has been used in seminary classrooms.

The book covers such topics as: issues Within United Methodist Churches relating to hymnals, How hymns function, camp meeting music and its relationship to spirituals and gospel music, evangelical images, women’s images, the black perspective, the liberal reaction and music for a new day, Christian essentials in music, United Methodist distinctives in music, and a discussion of the church’s theological and cultural diversity.