In a nutshell: (and I think that is exactly where they are)

This is pure rationalism. Almost the entire study is about what 'everyone wants'. That is not the faith. The 'lense' through which they see is 'all the people' and what they want. Totally subjective. It's the business of church and not church business.

The Catholic church suffers from the same malady. 'Maybe if we (insert your desire here), then the people will come and the economy of the parish will improve and grow.'

Hahahahahahahahaha!

God has given us over to our own thinking, and we deserve and then have to live with what we decide. Has anyone thought to ask what God prefers?

This is old news, and has been discussed here at least twice.

The overwhelming sentiment I have noticed from musicians in the Episcopal church is that any new hymnal created by the people would likely create such a thing would be terrible.

Also, nobody sees a need: The more traditional musicians are all fine with the 1982 (or the 1940) and the ones who want to do more "contemporary" music don't think hymnals are a good idea in the first place.

THIS:

one can think that a modernization of the Church’s music would be appealing to younger members, but today we are dealing with a younger generation whose views are distinctly eclectic, that eschews simple categorization, being characterized by sociologists as cultural omnivores who move easily different forms, and for whom the very difference of church from their regular lives is part of its attraction.

is why I was interested in sacred music to begin with.

CHG:

I agree with you. This was a very substantial survey and the math is incredible. It's just that it's a survey with a completely mistaken premise.

I guess I was standing in the corner with my dunce hat on during those earlier discussions...but it's a nice corner.