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Expressing a Deep Inner World
A prevalent misconception surrounding Christian songwriting is that by acquiring sufficient tips, tricks, and shortcuts, one can evade the arduous process of mastering the art of creating compelling 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 faith and songwriting skills, there is no need to resort to shortcuts. The ability to write well with clarity and confidence will always be accessible when you feel the movement of the Holy Spirit in your heart.
The image was taken by photographer Laura E.
The fast-paced digital culture we live in has influenced our thinking to expect instant results, similar to the capabilities of AI systems like CHATGPT. We believe that with just a few prompts, we should be able to effortlessly create a song in less than three seconds that will amaze everyone.
However, based on what I have observed, the songs that have a lasting impact on the world are not written by people who rely on shortcuts. These songwriters are skilled practitioners of the art of Christian songwriting, effectively communicating their message through their music. They didn't 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 prominent figures, these individuals were already dedicated to studying and improving their skills in their chosen art. They were continually learning how to skillfully combine impactful words and melodies to create captivating compositions that could deeply resonate with listeners, evoking strong emotions and leaving a lasting impression. This intangible quality, often described as the "WOW" factor, is difficult to articulate but undeniably recognizable when experienced.
According to professional golfer Gary Player, as he practices more, his luck in the game improves.
These individuals are not searching for free Christian songwriting workshops or giveaways in order to improve their skills. They are dedicated songwriters who are already actively engaged in learning and practicing advanced poetic and lyrical techniques. These are the individuals who are committed to paying their dues and investing a substantial amount of time in order to produce work at a much higher standard than what I typically observe from aspiring writers.
We greatly appreciate individuals such as Matt Redman, Matt Maher, Lauren Daigle, and the Gettys for their exceptional impact on Christian worship songwriting. It's hard to imagine where we would be 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. This applies to everyone, including the rising star in Centricity Music, Katy Nichole. She has been sharing her songs since she was only fourteen years old. Although her hit song "In Jesus' Name (God of Possible)" may give the impression of a lucky viral success, the truth is that she has been working hard at her craft for years. Congratulations to Katy for her dedication and success!
Tips for Cultivating a Deep and Fulfilling Inner Life as a Christian Songwriter
As a Christian songwriter, there are various approaches to enhancing and nurturing a meaningful inner life. Below are three essential considerations to bear in mind while aiming to strengthen your faith and convey it through your music.
Make taking care of your soul a top priority. We all have busy lives that are filled with chaos and little time for self-care. While it's important to care for others, it's equally important to make sure we take care of ourselves. Ignoring our own need for rest and rejuvenation will only lead to burnout. Whatever self-care means to you, understand that it is crucial for maintaining your inner well-being, which is closely linked to the care of your physical body and overall life.
Nourish your intellect. Many Christian songwriters tend to overlook the importance of intellectual growth and believe that Bible study, prayer, and singing worship songs are the only essential aspects of living a sanctified life. However, the most talented songwriters understand the significance of delving deep into various sources. They realize that it is impossible to create remarkable lyrics without first immersing themselves in a wealth of knowledge. If you have stopped reading extensively after college or high school, it is crucial for you to pick up books again. Merely relying on fear-inducing news from television networks or cable channels will not suffice. If you aspire to produce impactful and enduring work, you must nourish your mind with exceptional literature, poetry, and other inspiring works.
Disconnect from negativity. Cable news is solely focused on boosting ratings by spreading fear. Even the so-called "Christian" channels thrive on provoking anger in order to keep viewers engaged and watch their sponsored advertisements. Talk radio hosts, shock jocks, and even conservative pundits maintain their positions by attracting ratings and sponsorships for their stakeholders. However, the constant stream of negativity they propagate is detrimental to your spiritual well-being and creative abilities. Consider taking a break from consuming any type of news for a few weeks and dedicate that time to quiet contemplation on the love and goodness of God. You may find that your positivity starts to overflow into your creative work. Negativity steals your joy and intensifies feelings of fear and anxiety. Take a pause and allow the spirit of Jesus 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 achievement can also be attributed, at least partially, to their proficiency as Christian songwriters. I greatly appreciate the well-known quote from Australian golfer Gary Player, who stated, "The more I practice, the luckier I get."
While you are working on improving your Christian songwriting ministry, it is important to also focus on nurturing your inner life. It is not enough to simply develop your songwriting skills; the world is in need of something fresh, daring, courageous, and freeing from you. We should strive to move beyond recycled phrases and ideas that have been heard for years.
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