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Expressing from a Deep and Meaningful Inner World
A prevalent misconception surrounding Christian songwriting is the belief that by simply acquiring a sufficient amount of advice, shortcuts, and techniques, one can avoid the necessary effort of mastering the art of creating impactful songs that resonate with people.
In my opinion, having a deep connection with God and possessing strong songwriting abilities are more valuable than relying on tips and tricks as a committed Christian songwriter. If you have both a rich inner life in God and the skill to write songs, you won't need to resort to shortcuts. The ability to write well with clarity and confidence will always be accessible to you whenever you feel the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in your heart.
Image captured by Laura E. Partain
The prevalence of our fast-paced digital culture has influenced us to adopt an expectation of instant gratification. It has led us to believe that we can achieve the same level of proficiency as advanced language models like CHATGPT or AI. We have this idea that we should be able to input a few prompts and generate a remarkable song within a mere three seconds, which will impress everyone around us.
However, based on my personal experience, the songs that have a lasting impact on the world are not created by those who rely on shortcuts. These songwriters are skilled practitioners of the art of Christian songwriting and effectively communicate through their craft. They do not simply attempt to write a song and accidentally create masterpieces like "Amazing Grace," "In Christ Alone," or "10,000 Reasons."
Even before the major opportunities came their way, these individuals were already dedicated to honing their skills and surpassing expectations in their chosen field. They were consistently immersed in the process of learning how to skillfully combine impactful lyrics and melodies to create captivating compositions that could deeply resonate with audiences. Their goal was to create something that evoked strong emotions and left a lasting impression, a "WOW" factor that is difficult to put into words, but can be instantly recognized when experienced.
According to professional golfer Gary Player, the more I dedicate myself to practicing, the more fortunate I become.
These individuals are not searching for free opportunities or giveaways in Christian songwriting workshops. They are dedicated and motivated songwriters who are already actively engaged in their craft, constantly seeking to improve their poetic and lyrical skills. These are the individuals who are committed to their craft, investing their time and effort to create at an exceptional level, surpassing the commitment I observe in most aspiring writers.
We greatly appreciate individuals such as Matt Redman, Matt Maher, Lauren Daigle, and the Gettys for their incredible impact on Christian worship songwriting. It's hard to imagine where we would be without Chris Tomlin's powerful rendition of "Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone." However, it's important to remember that these songwriters have dedicated years to perfecting their skills and have faced numerous challenges along the way in order to enhance their songs and ministries.
No one becomes successful overnight, and this applies to the talent of creating catchy song titles or hooks. Even the rising star Katy Nichole, who is signed with Centricity Music, has been sharing her songs since she was just fourteen years old. While her hit song "In Jesus' Name (God of Possible)" may seem like it suddenly went viral, this is not the case. Katy has been dedicated to her craft for many years. Congratulations to Katy for her hard work and accomplishments!
Tips for Cultivating a Fulfilling Inner Life as a Christian Songwriter
As a Christian songwriter, there are numerous avenues to nurture and enrich your inner life. Here are three key considerations to bear in mind while striving to expand and articulate your faith through your musical compositions.
Make taking care of your soul a priority. In our fast-paced and busy lives, it can be easy to neglect our own well-being while focusing on others. However, if we don't take the time to rest and recharge, we will eventually burn out. It's important to prioritize self-care and nourish our inner selves, as this is integral to maintaining a healthy and balanced life, both mentally and physically.
Nourish your intellect. Many Christian songwriters tend to overlook the importance of intellectual growth. They mistakenly believe that Bible study, prayer, and singing worship songs are the only crucial aspects of living a holy life. However, the most talented songwriters understand the significance of deep reading. They recognize that it is impossible to create extraordinary lyrics if they haven't immersed themselves in exceptional words beforehand. If you haven't engaged in reading since college, or even high school, it is indispensable for you to pick up books again. Watching network or cable news, which only fuels your fears and reinforces your cultural biases, does not suffice. If you aspire to write something that can truly make an impact and stand the test of time, it is essential to nourish your mind with exceptional literature, poetry, and other inspirational works.
Disconnect from negativity. Cable news is solely focused on increasing ratings by spreading fear. Even the so-called "Christian" stations thrive on stirring anger in order to retain viewers and expose them to sponsored advertisements. Talk radio hosts, shock jocks, and even conservative pundits maintain their jobs by garnering high ratings and securing sponsorships for their investors. However, the constant stream of negativity they spew is detrimental to your inner self and stifles your creativity. Consider abstaining from all forms of news for a few weeks and instead use that time to sit quietly and reflect on the love and goodness of God. You may find that your positivity begins to overflow into your artistic expression. Negativity steals your joy and heightens feelings of fear and anxiety. Take a break and allow Jesus' Spirit to once again fill your heart and mind.
Christian artists and songwriters such as Nichole, Tomlin, Redman, Maher, and many more, draw inspiration from their deep connection with God when they write. However, their success can also be attributed, at least partially, to their talent as Christian songwriters. I greatly admire the wise words of Australian golfer Gary Player, who famously stated, "The more I practice, the luckier I get."
While you are honing your Christian songwriting skills, it is important to also focus on nurturing a deep and fulfilling inner life. It is crucial to bring something fresh, courageous, and freeing to the world through your music, rather than simply relying on recycled phrases and ideas that have been around for many years.
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