Brian Wren

Brian Arthur Wren (born 1936) is a British-born hymn poet, theologian, minister, worship scholar, and teacher whose work has been influential in contemporary English-language congregational song. Born in Romford, Essex, he studied modern languages at New College, Oxford, and theology at Mansfield College, Oxford, and completed doctoral research in Old Testament theology. He was ordained in 1965 in the Congregational tradition that later became part of the United Reformed Church and served the Hockley and Hawkwell congregation in Essex from 1965 to 1970.

After parish ministry, Wren worked in Christian education and campaigns concerned with world development, poverty, peace, and justice. Those concerns became part of the social and theological range of his hymn writing, which regularly links Christian worship with discipleship, reconciliation, human dignity, inclusive language, and responsibility in the world. His published collections include Faith Looking Forward, Praising a Mystery, Bring Many Names, New Beginnings, and later revised collections of his hymn texts.

Wren later moved to the United States and from 2000 to 2007 served as the John and Miriam Conant Professor of Worship at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia; the seminary now lists him as Professor Emeritus. Beyond hymn texts, his books include What Language Shall I Borrow? and Praying Twice: The Music and Words of Congregational Song. His wider significance lies in combining poetic craft, biblical and theological reflection, concern for justice, and sustained attention to how congregational singing forms Christian belief and practice.