In the world of Christian songwriting, there is a prevalent misconception that by simply acquiring enough tips, tricks, and hacks, one can avoid the arduous process of honing the skill 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 crucial to have a deep connection with God and a rich inner life to draw inspiration from. With a strong foundation in songwriting skills and a strong spiritual connection, there is no need to resort to shortcuts or hacks. The ability to write well with clarity and confidence is always accessible when the Holy Spirit moves within your heart.
The picture was taken by Laura E. Part
The fast-paced nature of our digital society has influenced us to adopt a quick and instant mindset, making us believe that we can emulate the abilities of advanced AI systems like CHATGPT. We mistakenly expect that by inputting a few prompts, we can effortlessly generate a popular song within a matter of seconds.
However, based on what I have observed, the songs that have a lasting impact on the world are not created by writers who rely on shortcuts or tricks. Instead, these songs are crafted by skilled Christian songwriters who communicate on a profound level through their art. They don't simply attempt to write a song and accidentally create something as remarkable as "Amazing Grace," "In Christ Alone," or "10,000 Reasons."
Before the more experienced individuals arrived, these artists were already dedicated to their craft and striving for excellence. They were consistently learning how to skillfully combine impactful lyrics and melodies to create captivating compositions that could deeply touch the emotions and captivate the hearts of those who listened. These artists aimed to create something that had an indescribable but undeniable "WOW" factor, which could be felt and recognized by anyone who heard it.
According to professional golfer Gary Player, the more I dedicate myself to practicing, the more fortunate I become.
These individuals are not seeking free Christian songwriting workshops or giveaways in a trolling manner. They are dedicated songwriters who are already actively engaged in their craft, continuously learning and practicing the most sophisticated poetic and lyrical techniques. These are the individuals who are investing their time and effort to create at a much more advanced level compared to most aspiring writers who are not willing to put in the same level of commitment into their work.
We have great respect for individuals such as Matt Redman, Matt Maher, Lauren Daigle, and the Gettys because of their incredible impact on Christian worship songwriting. It is difficult to imagine where we would be without the powerful song "Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone" by Chris Tomlin. However, we tend to overlook the fact that these songwriters have dedicated years to perfecting their skills 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, including the up-and-coming artist Katy Nichole from Centricity Music. She has been sharing her songs online since she was fourteen years old. Although her hit song "In Jesus' Name (God of Possible)" may seem like it gained popularity by chance, that is not the case. Katy has been dedicated to her music for years and deserves recognition for her hard work.
Ways to Cultivate a Fulfilling Inner Life as a Christian Songwriter
As a Christian songwriter, there are numerous avenues to nurture a deep and gratifying inner life. Here are three key aspects to consider while striving to enhance 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 the busyness of life, leaving little time for self-care. While it's important to be caring and helpful towards others, it's equally crucial to take care of our own needs for rest and rejuvenation. Whatever self-care looks like to you, it is essential for maintaining a healthy inner life, which is intertwined with the well-being of our outer life and physical body.
Nourish your intellect. Many Christian songwriters tend to overlook the importance of intellectual growth and believe that solely focusing on Bible study, prayer, and singing worship songs is sufficient for a holy life. However, the most skilled songwriters understand the significance of immersing themselves in deep reading. They recognize that without being filled with profound knowledge and ideas, it is impossible to create remarkable lyrics. If you have halted your reading habits after college or even high school, it is crucial for you to pick up books again. Simply consuming fear-inducing news from network or cable sources does not qualify. If you desire to craft something impactful that will endure beyond your lifetime, it is essential to enrich 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 "Christian" channels aim to anger you, so you continue watching and endure the sponsored advertisements. Talk radio, shock jocks, and conservative pundits rely on ratings and sponsorships to maintain their jobs and appease their shareholders. However, the constant stream of negativity they emit is detrimental to your well-being and creative inspiration. Consider abstaining from any form of news for a few weeks and instead spend that time in peaceful reflection, contemplating the love and goodness of God. You may find that your positive outlook starts to overflow into your music. Negativity steals your joy, heightens fear, and amplifies 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, create their music from a place of abundance in their connection with God. However, their achievements can also be attributed, to some extent, to their abilities as Christian songwriters. I am reminded of the wise words of Australian golfer Gary Player, who famously stated, "The more I dedicate myself to practice, the more fortunate I become."
While you are working on cultivating your skills in Christian songwriting, it is important to also focus on nurturing a deep and fulfilling personal life. It is essential to offer the world something fresh, courageous, and freeing through your music, rather than simply recycling old phrases and concepts that have been used for many years.
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