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Expressing from a Deeply Personal Perspective
A prevalent misconception surrounding Christian songwriting is the belief that acquiring a sufficient amount of tips, tricks, and shortcuts can enable one to avoid the laborious 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 important to have a deep connection with God and a rich inner life to draw inspiration from. With a strong foundation in your faith and excellent songwriting abilities, you won't need to rely on shortcuts. The clarity and confidence to write well will always be readily available whenever you feel the Spirit guiding you.
This photo was captured by Laura E. Part
The modern culture of instant gratification and quick consumption through technology has influenced us to adopt a mindset that resembles a microwave. It leads us to believe that we can possess the same capabilities as advanced AI systems like CHATGPT. We mistakenly assume that by providing a few prompts, we should be able to effortlessly generate a song within three seconds that will impress everyone.
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 quick fixes. Instead, they are individuals who have honed their skills in the craft of Christian songwriting and are able to effectively communicate profound messages through their art. These writers did not simply attempt to write a song one day and accidentally create masterpieces like "Amazing Grace," "In Christ Alone," or "10,000 Reasons."
Before the arrival of the more established figures, these individuals were already deeply immersed in their artistic pursuits, striving to achieve greatness. They consistently dedicated themselves to learning how to skillfully combine impactful words and melodies into captivating compositions that could deeply resonate with audiences, evoking strong emotions. They aimed to create something that possessed an intangible quality, a certain "WOW" factor that is difficult to articulate but undeniably recognizable when experienced.
According to professional golfer Gary Player, the more one puts in effort and practices, the more fortunate they become.
These individuals are not searching for Christian songwriting workshops or giveaways without any serious intention. These dedicated songwriters are already actively engaged in their craft, constantly seeking to improve their skills and knowledge in poetic and lyrical techniques. They are the ones who are investing their time and effort to reach a much higher level of creativity compared to most aspiring writers, who often lack the commitment and dedication required for true mastery.
We greatly appreciate individuals such as Matt Redman, Matt Maher, Lauren Daigle, and the Gettys for their incredible impact on Christian worship songwriting. It is hard 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 years to developing their skills and have faced numerous challenges in perfecting their songs and ministries.
No one becomes skilled at creating catchy song titles or hooks overnight. This applies to all musicians, including the up-and-coming artist Katy Nichole from Centricity Music. Katy has been sharing her music since she was just fourteen years old. While her hit song "In Jesus' Name (God of Possible)" may seem like it gained viral success overnight, it is important to recognize that Katy has been dedicated to her craft for many years. Congratulations to Katy on her accomplishments!
Ways to Cultivate a Fulfilling Inner Life
As a Christian songwriter, there are numerous ways to nurture and enrich your inner life. Here are three important factors to consider while you strive to enhance and convey your faith through your music.
Make taking care of your soul a top priority. In today's fast-paced world, we often find ourselves overwhelmed and with little time to focus on our own well-being. However, it is important to remember that while helping and serving others is crucial, neglecting our own need for rest and rejuvenation can lead to burnout. No matter how you define self-care, it is essential for maintaining a healthy and balanced inner life, which is closely connected to the well-being of your external life and physical body.
Nurture your intellect. Christian songwriters often overlook the importance of intellectual growth and assume that only Bible study, prayer, and singing worship songs are the essential aspects of a righteous life. However, the most skilled songwriters delve into deep reading. They understand that it is impossible to craft remarkable lyrics without first immersing themselves in profound knowledge. If you ceased reading after college, or even high school, it is vital for you to re-engage with books. Simply relying on consuming fear-inducing news from television networks or cable channels does not suffice. If you aspire to write something impactful that will endure beyond your lifetime, it is essential to feed your mind with exceptional literature, poetry, and other inspiring works.
Disconnect from negativity. Cable news solely focuses on generating fear for the purpose of increasing viewership. Even channels marketed as "Christian" thrive on inciting anger to keep viewers engaged and watching their sponsored advertisements. Talk radio hosts, shock jocks, and conservative commentators maintain their positions by attracting high ratings and securing sponsorships for their shareholders. However, the constant stream of negativity they promote is detrimental to your well-being and creative abilities. Consider abstaining from consuming any news for a few weeks and instead spend that time in quiet contemplation, reflecting on the love and goodness of God. You may find that your positivity begins to overflow into your artistic endeavors. Negativity steals your joy and amplifies fear and anxiety. Take a break and replenish your heart and mind with the spirit of Jesus once again.
Christian artists and songwriters such as Nichole, Tomlin, Redman, Maher, and many more, are able to create their music from a deep connection with God. However, their success can also be attributed to their talent and expertise in the field of Christian songwriting. It reminds me of the famous quote by Australian golfer Gary Player, who stated that the more he practiced, the more fortunate he became.
While you are growing your skills in Christian songwriting, it is important to also focus on nurturing a deep and meaningful inner life. It is essential to offer the world something fresh, courageous, and freeing in your music, rather than simply repeating the same old phrases and ideas that have been heard for many years.
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