James Waring McCranie
1938– · USA · Modern
James Waring McCranie is a contemporary American Lutheran hymnodist and composer who emerged as a significant contributor to Lutheran worship music in the latter twentieth century. Active primarily from the 1960s onward, McCranie has composed numerous original hymn texts and tunes that reflect Lutheran theological traditions and liturgical practices. His works have been included in major Lutheran hymnals and worship resources, contributing to the renewal and expansion of the Lutheran hymn repertoire during the modern era. McCranie's compositions are characterized by their accessibility and theological depth, serving both congregational worship and scholarly liturgical contexts. As a practicing hymnodist, he has helped shape contemporary Lutheran sacred music through his creative contributions to American Protestant hymnody.