Brian Wren
Brian Wren is a hymnwriter whose work appears in hymnals from all denoninations and traditions throughout the English-speaking world. His popular hymns include As man and woman, we were made and Dear Christ uplifted from the earth. Brian has his own website which can be found here.
Brian was the runner up in the international Millenium Hymn Competition awarded in February at St Paul’s Cathedral, London. His hymn Hidden Christ, Alive For Ever was sung at St Paul’s on 9th January 2000 as part of the Cathedral’s “Millenium gift to the nation.”
Born in London in 1936, Brian Wren studied at Oxford, taking degrees in Modern Languages and Theology, including a D. Phil for work on the Hebrew prophets.
After ordination, he was minister of a Congregational church in Essex, served as consultant to the British Council of Churches, and worked in the student-based world poverty campaign, Third World First.
Since 1983, Brian has followed a freelance ministry, helping worshippers, ministers, educators and musicians to improve skills, and deepen spirituality. Now living in the USA, Brian is on the United Reformed Church roll of ministers as serving overseas.
Brian Wren’s copyrights are administered by Stainer & Bell Ltd. However for USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand they are handled by Hope Publishing Company. (hope@hopepublishing.com).
Brian is a Minister of the United Reformed Church of Great Britain, and an internationally published hymn writer. After taking degrees in Modern Languages and Theology at Oxford, and completing his doctoral work there, he served in parish ministry, then as a campaigner and adult education consultant on world poverty issues. Following nearly two decades of freelance ministry, he now serves on the faculty of Columbia Theological Seminary, teaching courses related to worship and congregational song.
Together, Susan and Brian write songs for worship in a contemporary “gospel-folk” style. We co-lead workshops and courses when our respective commitments permit.
We are Susan Heafield (“Hayfield”) and Brian Wren, partners in marriage, and in ministry. Brian is the John and Miriam Conant Professor of Worship at Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, Georgia, USA and a widely published hymn writer. Susan is a United Methodist Pastor, composer, singer, pianist, and guitarist.