Christopher M. Idle (1938– )

Christopher Martin Idle, born in Bromley, Kent, England, 1938, is an English Anglican minister and prolific hymn writer. He was educated at Eltham College, St. Peter’s College, Oxford, and Clifton Theological College, Bristol, before ordination in the Church of England. His ministry included service in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, London, and Oakley, Suffolk, and he later returned to London, where he remains active in hymn-writing and related projects.

Idle is a notable contributor to modern hymnody, particularly through his biblical paraphrases and contemporary texts. He has authored over a hundred hymns, with many appearing first in hymnals published by the Jubilate Group, an organization dedicated to producing contemporary worship materials. His works often explore themes of faith, Christian responsibility, and scriptural reflection.

He has published several influential collections:

• The Lion Book of Favorite Hymns (1980) – a compendium of classic and contemporary hymns.
• Anglican Praise (editor, 1987) – a modern Anglican hymnal.
• Light Upon the River (1998, Hope Publishing) – a collection of 279 psalm and hymn texts, including suggested tunes, scripture references, and commentary.

Idle’s hymns are widely used in English-speaking churches, valued for their accessibility, scriptural grounding, and devotional richness. His work continues the tradition of Anglican hymnody while providing contemporary worshippers with texts suitable for both congregational singing and personal devotion.