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Expressing from a Deeply Personal Perspective
There is a widespread misconception regarding Christian songwriting, suggesting that by simply acquiring sufficient tips, tricks, and shortcuts, one can circumvent the arduous process of mastering the art of creating impactful songs that resonate with people.
In my opinion, having a deep connection with God and cultivating a meaningful spiritual life is essential for Christian songwriters. Relying solely on tips and tricks won't be enough. When you possess a strong bond with God and possess good songwriting abilities, you won't need to resort to shortcuts. The ability to write well with clarity and confidence will always be accessible to you, especially when you feel the presence of the Holy Spirit inspiring you.
The photograph was taken by Laura E. Part
The way we consume digital content and fast food has shaped our mindset to expect quick results, leading us to believe that we can be as efficient as CHATGPT or AI. We believe that with just a few prompts, we should be able to instantly create a song that will amaze everyone within a matter of seconds.
However, based on what I have observed, the songs that have a lasting impact on the world are not written by those who rely on shortcuts or unoriginal ideas. Instead, these songs are created by skilled Christian songwriters who effectively communicate meaningful messages through their art. They don't simply attempt to write a song randomly and accidentally produce a masterpiece like "Amazing Grace," "In Christ Alone," or "10,000 Reasons."
Even before the arrival of the more established figures, they were already dedicating themselves to studying and improving in their field of art. They consistently worked on honing their skills in order to create impactful compositions that could deeply resonate with listeners, evoking strong emotions. They aimed to create something that had an indescribable but undeniable "WOW" factor, which could captivate the audience's attention and touch their hearts.
According to professional golfer Gary Player, the greater amount of practice I put in, the more fortunate I become.
These individuals are not seeking free Christian songwriting workshops or giveaways in a negative or insincere way. They are dedicated and passionate songwriters who are already actively engaged in their craft, constantly improving their skills and exploring the most sophisticated poetic and lyrical techniques. These individuals are investing their time and effort, working hard to create music at a much more advanced level than the majority of aspiring writers who may not be as committed to honing their craft.
We hold great respect 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 "Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone." However, we frequently 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 true for even the rising star in Centricity Music, Katy Nichole. She has been sharing her songs online since she was just fourteen years old. While her hit song "In Jesus' Name (God of Possible)" may seem like it gained popularity overnight, it is important to note that she has been working hard at her craft for many years. Congratulations to Katy for her dedication and success!
Discovering ways to cultivate a fulfilling and abundant inner life as a Christian songwriter can be achieved through various methods. Here are three essential considerations to bear in mind while striving to enhance and communicate your faith through music.
It is important to prioritize taking care of your soul. In our fast-paced and busy lives, it can be challenging to find time for self-care. However, neglecting our own need for rest and rejuvenation can lead to burnout. While it is crucial to care for and serve others, we must also recognize the importance of tending to our own well-being. Whatever self-care means to you, it should be seen as essential in maintaining a balanced and fulfilling life. Taking care of your inner self is intimately connected to caring for your external life and physical body.
Nurture your intellect. Many Christian songwriters tend to neglect their intellectual growth, believing that Bible study, prayer, and singing worship songs are the only important aspects of living a sanctified life. However, the most successful songwriters understand the importance of deep reading. They recognize that it is impossible to craft incredible lyrics without first immersing themselves in the beauty of language. If you have not continued reading beyond college or high school, it is crucial for you to pick up books again. Merely consuming fear-inducing news from network or cable channels does not suffice. If you aspire to write something that can have a lasting impact, nourishing your mind with exceptional literature, poetry, and other inspirational works is imperative.
Disconnect yourself from negativity. Cable news is solely focused on gaining higher ratings by spreading fear. Even the so-called "Christian" stations thrive on provoking anger in order to maintain viewership and make money from their sponsors. Talk radio hosts, shock jocks, and even conservative pundits keep their jobs by attracting more viewers and securing sponsorships for their stakeholders. However, the constant flow of negativity they emit is detrimental to your well-being and creativity. Consider abstaining from consuming any form of news for a few weeks and instead use that time to sit quietly and contemplate the love and goodness of God. You might be surprised to find that your positivity begins to overflow into your music. Negativity steals your happiness 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, create music that stems from their deep connection with God. However, their achievements can also be attributed, to some extent, to their proficiency in the craft of Christian songwriting. This reminds me of the well-known statement made by Australian golfer Gary Player, who once said, "The more I dedicate myself to practice, the more fortunate I become."
While you are progressing in your journey of Christian songwriting, it is important to remember to also nurture a deep and meaningful personal life. It is crucial to bring something fresh, daring, courageous, and liberating to the world through your music, rather than merely recycling clichéd phrases and ideas that have been around for many years.
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