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Expressing Thoughts from a Deeply Personal Perspective
There is a prevalent misconception about Christian songwriting that suggests if you acquire a sufficient amount of advice, techniques, and shortcuts, you can effortlessly avoid the challenging process of developing the skills needed to create impactful songs that resonate with people.
In my opinion, having a deep spiritual connection with God is far more valuable than relying on tips and tricks as a Christian songwriter. By cultivating a strong inner life and honing your songwriting skills, there is no need to resort to shortcuts. The ability to write with clarity and confidence will always be readily available whenever you feel inspired by the Spirit in your heart.
The photograph was taken by Laura E. Part
The prevalent fast-paced digital culture has influenced us to adopt a mindset that resembles a microwave, making us believe that we can possess abilities similar to CHATGPT or AI. We believe that by simply inputting a few prompts, we should be able to generate a song within three seconds that would impress 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 easy techniques. These writers were and continue to be skilled in the art of Christian songwriting, effectively communicating profound messages through their music. They did not simply attempt to write a song and accidentally produce a masterpiece like "Amazing Grace," "In Christ Alone," or "10,000 Reasons."
Even before the more experienced individuals arrived, they were already dedicated to studying and improving their skills in their chosen art form. They consistently worked on understanding how to combine impactful words and melodies into captivating compositions that could deeply touch and resonate with listeners. They strived to create something that had an indescribable but undeniably powerful presence, a quality that instantly grabs attention and leaves a lasting impression.
According to professional golfer Gary Player, the more effort and time I dedicate to practicing, the more fortunate I become in my performance.
These individuals are not seeking out free Christian songwriting workshops or giveaways in a manipulative or insincere manner. They are dedicated and determined songwriters who are already actively engaged in honing their skills and exploring advanced poetic and lyrical techniques. These are the individuals who are willing to invest their time and effort to create at a much higher level compared to most aspiring writers who may not be as committed to their craft.
We greatly appreciate individuals such as Matt Redman, Matt Maher, Lauren Daigle, and the Gettys for their exceptional impact on writing Christian worship songs. It is hard to imagine where we would be without Chris Tomlin's "Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone." However, we tend to overlook the fact that these songwriters have dedicated many years to perfecting their art and have faced numerous challenges in order to improve their songs and ministries.
No one becomes skilled at creating catchy song titles or hooks overnight, and this applies to everyone, including the rising star Katy Nichole from Centricity Music. Katy has been sharing her songs since she was only fourteen years old, and her popular track "In Jesus' Name (God of Possible)" may appear to be a result of a fortunate viral moment, but that is not the case. Katy has been working hard at her craft for years. (Congratulations, Katy!)
Tips for Cultivating a Fulfilling Inner Life as a Christian Songwriter
As a Christian songwriter, there are numerous approaches to nurture and cultivate a deeply satisfying inner life. Consider these three key aspects while striving to expand and convey your faith through your music.
Make soul care a priority. In today's fast-paced world, we often find ourselves caught up in busy schedules and overwhelmed with tasks, leaving little time for self-care. While it is important to care for and help others, it is equally crucial to address our own need for rest and rejuvenation. Taking care of ourselves is essential for maintaining our inner well-being, which is closely intertwined with our overall physical health and the way we manage our external lives.
Nourish your intellect. Many Christian songwriters tend to neglect their intellectual growth and believe that Bible study, prayer, and singing worship songs are the only important aspects of living a sanctified life. However, the most talented songwriters understand the importance of deep reading. They recognize that it is impossible to create incredible lyrics without first immersing themselves in profound words. If you have not continued reading beyond college or high school, it is crucial for you to pick up books again. Merely consuming fear and reinforcing cultural biases through network or cable news does not suffice. If you desire to write something impactful that can potentially outlive you, it is essential to nourish your mind with exceptional literature, poetry, and other inspiring works.
Disconnect yourself from negativity. Cable news is solely driven by the desire for higher ratings and uses fear to manipulate its viewers. Even channels claiming to be Christian use anger to keep people watching and sitting through their advertisements. Talk radio hosts, shock jocks, and even conservative commentators maintain their jobs by attracting high ratings and securing sponsorships for the benefit of their shareholders. However, the constant stream of negativity they spread is detrimental to your spiritual and creative well-being. I recommend taking a break from consuming any type of news for a few weeks. Instead, dedicate that time to sitting quietly and reflecting on God's love and goodness. You may find that your positive outlook starts to overflow into your artistic expressions. Negativity steals away your joy and amplifies fear and anxiety. Therefore, it is important to take a pause and allow Jesus' Spirit to fill your heart and mind once again.
Christian artists and songwriters such as Nichole, Tomlin, Redman, Maher, and many others 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 expertise as Christian songwriters. Gary Player, a renowned Australian golfer, once expressed the idea that the more he practiced, the more fortunate he became.
While you are nurturing your talent in Christian songwriting, it is important to also focus on nurturing your personal spiritual growth. It is crucial to not just rely on repetitive phrases and ideas that have been heard for years but to strive to create something new, courageous, and freeing. The world is in need of fresh and innovative music from you.
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