Blog
Expressing from a Deeply Personal Perspective
A widespread misconception regarding Christian songwriting is the belief that by simply acquiring enough 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, relying solely on tips and tricks is not enough for a Christian songwriter who wishes to excel. It is crucial to cultivate a deep spiritual connection with God and rely on it as a source of inspiration. With a strong connection and well-developed songwriting skills, there is no need for shortcuts or hacks. The ability to write well with clarity and confidence will always be readily available whenever you feel the movement of the Holy Spirit in your heart.
The picture has been taken by Laura E.
The modern culture of instant gratification through technology has influenced us to expect quick results, making us believe that we can emulate the abilities of CHATGPT or AI. We believe that we should be capable of inputting a few prompts and instantly generating a popular song within seconds.
However, based on my personal experience, the songs that have a lasting impact on the world are not created by writers who rely on shortcuts or unoriginal ideas. Instead, these songs are crafted by skilled Christian songwriters who excel in their art and effectively communicate their message. They don't simply attempt to write a song on a whim and accidentally create masterpieces like "Amazing Grace," "In Christ Alone," or "10,000 Reasons."
Before the arrival of the big ones, they were already dedicated to studying and striving for excellence in their art. They were always learning how to skillfully combine impactful words and melodies into captivating compositions that could deeply touch the emotions and captivate the hearts of those who listened. Their goal was to create a sound that had an indescribable, yet undeniable "WOW" factor that could be recognized instantly.
According to professional golfer Gary Player, the more I dedicate myself to practicing, the more fortunate I become.
These individuals are not actively seeking out opportunities for free Christian songwriting workshops or giveaways. They are highly motivated songwriters who are already dedicated to their craft, constantly honing their skills and exploring the most sophisticated techniques in poetry and lyrics. These individuals are committed to their craft, investing time and effort to create at a much higher standard than most aspiring writers are willing to commit to.
We have great admiration for individuals such as Matt Redman, Matt Maher, Lauren Daigle, and the Gettys due to their incredible impact on Christian worship songwriting. 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 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, and this is especially true for Katy Nichole, the rising star of Centricity Music. Katy 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 became popular by luck, that is not the case. Katy has been dedicated to her musical journey for many years. (Congratulations, Katy!)
Tips for Cultivating a Fulfilling Inner Life as a Christian Songwriter
As a Christian songwriter, there are various methods to enhance and nurture a fulfilling inner life. In order to promote personal growth and effectively convey your faith through music, it is important to consider the following three aspects.
Make soul care a priority. In today's fast-paced world, our lives are filled with busyness and chaos, leaving us with little time to take care of our inner selves. It is important to remember that while we should never neglect our responsibilities and service towards others, we must also make time to rest and recharge. Taking care of ourselves is essential for maintaining a balanced life, as our inner well-being is interconnected with the care we provide for our outer life and physical body.
Nurturing your intellect is essential. Many Christian songwriters tend to overlook the importance of engaging their intellects and mistakenly believe that Bible study, prayer, and singing worship songs are the only crucial aspects of a holy life. However, the most talented songwriters understand the significance of reading extensively. They recognize that it is impossible to craft extraordinary lyrics without first immersing themselves in an abundance of profound words. If you have ceased reading extensively after completing college or even high school, it is imperative for you to pick up books once again. Merely indulging in fear-inducing and biased content from network or cable news outlets does not fulfill this need. If you aspire to write something that can have a lasting impact, transcending your own lifetime, it is essential to nourish your mind with exceptional literature, poetry, and other sources of inspiration.
Disconnect from negative influences. Cable news is driven by the need for high ratings and often spreads fear. Even stations that claim to be Christian can contribute to anger and frustration in order to keep viewers engaged and watch the advertisements. Talk radio, shock jocks, and conservative pundits also rely on ratings and sponsorships to maintain their jobs. However, the constant negativity they promote can have a detrimental effect on your soul and creativity. Consider taking a break from consuming any news for a few weeks and instead spend that time in quiet reflection, focusing on the love and goodness of God. You may find that this shift in focus brings about a more positive outlook and even influences your creative endeavors. Negativity steals your joy and increases feelings of fear and anxiety. Give yourself 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 others draw inspiration from their deep connection with God when they write their music. However, their achievements can also be attributed, at least partially, to their talent and proficiency 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 improving your skills in Christian songwriting, it is important not to neglect the growth of your own personal and spiritual life. It is essential to offer something fresh, daring, courageous, and freeing to the world through your music, rather than simply repeating the same old phrases and concepts that have been heard for many years.
Please feel free to share this article with your friends. If you have any thoughts or comments, please leave a reply below. Additionally, you can save your name, email, and website in this browser for future comments.
In order to set the value of an element with the ID "ak_js_1", the code uses the method "getElementById" to access the element. It then uses the method "setAttribute" to set the value attribute of
Listed under
Stay connected with us
Explore additional articles
Groupings
Labels
Trending articles:
Begin your journey
Highly recommended audio shows
Characteristics
Information about us
The courses you have enrolled in
Register now for our complimentary Pro Songwriters Top 10 Tip Sheet