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Exploring the Depths of Writing
A misconception often associated with Christian songwriting is the belief that by simply acquiring a sufficient number of tips, tricks, and shortcuts, one can avoid the challenging process of mastering the art of creating impactful songs that resonate with people.
In my opinion, relying solely on tips and tricks is not enough for a dedicated Christian songwriter. It is essential to have a deep connection with God and a flourishing inner life, as well as strong songwriting abilities. With these qualities, there is no need to search for shortcuts or quick fixes. The clarity and confidence to write well will naturally be present and readily accessible when you feel inspired by the Holy Spirit in your heart.
The image is credited to Laura E. Part
The current fast-paced and convenience-oriented nature of our digital culture has deeply influenced our thinking patterns. It has led us to believe that we can easily emulate the abilities of advanced technologies like CHATGPT or AI. We have developed this idea that we should effortlessly generate a song by inputting a few prompts and expect it to be instantly sensationalized by everyone.
However, based on what I have observed, the songs that have a lasting impact on the world were not created by writers who relied on shortcuts or tricks. Instead, these songs were crafted by skilled Christian songwriters who effectively communicated their message through their art. They did not simply attempt to write a song one day and coincidentally create a masterpiece like "Amazing Grace," "In Christ Alone," or "10,000 Reasons."
Before the arrival of the "big ones," these individuals were already dedicated to studying and improving their craft. They consistently worked on honing their skills in creating impactful lyrics and melodies, aiming to construct captivating compositions that could deeply touch the emotions and captivate the hearts of those who listened. These compositions possessed an unexplainable but undeniable "WOW" factor that was instantly recognizable to anyone who heard them.
According to professional golfer Gary Player, the more he dedicates himself to practicing, the more fortunate he becomes.
These individuals are not seeking out free Christian songwriting workshops or giveaways as a means of exploiting them. They are dedicated and passionate songwriters who are already actively engaging in their craft, constantly studying and refining their poetic and lyrical skills. These are the individuals who are committed to honing their craft, investing considerable time and effort to produce work at a much higher standard than what I typically observe from aspiring writers.
Many of us hold great admiration for individuals such as Matt Redman, Matt Maher, Lauren Daigle, and the Gettys due to their remarkable impact on Christian worship songwriting. It is difficult to imagine a world without Chris Tomlin's powerful rendition of "Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone." However, we tend to overlook the fact that these songwriters have dedicated countless years to perfecting their skills and have faced various challenges in order to enhance their songs and ministries.
No one becomes skilled at creating catchy song titles or hooks overnight, and this applies to even the rising star of Centricity Music, Katy Nichole. She has been sharing her songs since she was just fourteen years old. Although her hit "In Jesus' Name (God of Possible)" may seem like it gained viral success by luck, that is not the case. Katy has been working on her music for years. Congratulations to her!
Here are a few suggestions for Christian songwriters on how to cultivate a fulfilling and meaningful inner life. These tips can help you enhance your spiritual growth and effectively convey your faith through your music.
Make soul care a priority. In our fast-paced and busy lives, we often neglect taking care of ourselves. Although it's important to care for and help others, if we neglect our own need for rest and rejuvenation, we will eventually become burnt out. Taking care of ourselves is essential for maintaining our inner well-being, which is interconnected with the care we give to our external lives and physical bodies.
Nourish your intellect. Christian songwriters often overlook the importance of engaging their intellect and mistakenly believe that Bible study, prayer, and singing worship songs are the only crucial aspects of a sanctified life. However, exceptional songwriters understand the significance of delving into profound literature. They recognize that without immersing themselves in exceptional words and ideas, it is impossible to create remarkable lyrics. If you have ceased reading extensively after college or even high school, it is imperative that you pick up books once again. Merely consuming fear-inducing content or reinforcing cultural biases through network or cable news does not suffice. If you aspire to write something meaningful that can have a lasting impact, it is essential to nourish your mind with outstanding literature, poetry, and other sources of inspiration.
Disconnect from negativity. Cable news is solely focused on increasing ratings by instilling fear. Even the channels that claim to have Christian values thrive on provoking anger in order to keep viewers engaged and exposed to their sponsored advertisements. Talk radio hosts, shock jocks, and conservative pundits maintain their positions by generating high ratings and securing sponsorships for their shareholders. However, the constant stream of negativity they disseminate is detrimental to your soul and stifles your creativity. Consider abstaining from consuming any type of news for a few weeks and dedicate that time to quiet contemplation about the love and goodness of God. You may notice that your positivity begins to overflow into your creative endeavors. Negativity steals your joy and amplifies fear and anxiety. Take a break and allow Jesus' Spirit to fill your heart and mind once again.
Christian artists and songwriters such as Nichole, Tomlin, Redman, Maher, and many more, are able to create their music from a place of abundance in their connection with God. However, their achievements can also be attributed, at least partially, to their proficiency as Christian songwriters. I am particularly fond of the famous quote by Australian golfer Gary Player, where he states that the more he practices, the more fortunate he becomes.
While you are working on your Christian songwriting ministry, it is important to not neglect the growth of your personal spiritual life alongside the development of your songwriting abilities. The world is in need of fresh, daring, courageous, and freeing content from you, rather than simply recycling old phrases and ideas that have been heard for many years.
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