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Expressing from a Deep and Abundant Inner World
A widespread misconception about Christian songwriting is that by simply acquiring enough advice, strategies, and shortcuts, one can somehow evade the diligent effort required to master the art of creating impactful songs that resonate with people.
In my opinion, relying solely on tips and tricks can never replace the importance of having a deep and meaningful connection with God as a dedicated Christian songwriter. If you possess a strong spiritual life and excellent songwriting abilities, you won't need to rely on shortcuts. The ability to write well with clarity and confidence will always be readily available to you whenever you feel the guidance of the Holy Spirit in your heart.
The photograph was taken by Laura E. Part
The modern culture of quick, easily accessible digital content has influenced us to expect instant results, like those achieved by CHATGPT or AI. We believe that we should be capable of generating a popular song within just a few seconds by providing a few prompts.
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 easy methods. Instead, these songs are crafted by skilled Christian songwriters who excel in their art and are able to communicate on a deeper level. They do not simply attempt to write a song and accidentally create something as powerful as "Amazing Grace," "In Christ Alone," or "10,000 Reasons."
Even before the major opportunities arrived, they were already dedicated to their craft and striving for excellence. They continuously immersed themselves in the study of creating impactful lyrics and melodies, shaping them into captivating compositions that could deeply resonate with audiences. They aimed to create something that evoked strong emotions and had an indescribable "WOW" factor, which could only be felt when heard.
According to professional golfer Gary Player, the more I dedicate myself to practice, the more fortunate I become.
These individuals are not searching for free Christian songwriting workshops or giveaways in a desperate manner. They are committed songwriters who are already dedicated to their craft, constantly learning and honing their skills in poetry and lyrics. These women and men are investing their time and effort to produce work at a much higher standard compared to the majority of aspiring writers who are not willing to do the same.
We greatly appreciate the talent and impact of individuals such as Matt Redman, Matt Maher, Lauren Daigle, and the Gettys, who have made significant contributions to Christian worship songwriting. It is hard to imagine the Christian music scene without Chris Tomlin's powerful rendition of "Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone." However, it is important to remember that these songwriters have dedicated years of their lives to perfecting their craft and have faced various challenges along the way in order to improve their songs and ministries.
No one becomes skilled at creating catchy song titles or hooks overnight, and this includes the rising star Katy Nichole from Centricity Music. Katy has been sharing her songs online since she was just fourteen years old. Although her hit song "In Jesus' Name (God of Possible)" may seem like a sudden viral success, it is important to note that she has been working hard at her craft for years. We applaud Katy for her dedication and talent.
Ways to Cultivate a Fulfilling Inner Life as a Christian Songwriter
As a Christian songwriter, there are numerous approaches to developing a fulfilling and abundant inner life. Here are three essential factors to consider while striving to nurture and convey your faith through your music.
Make your soul care a priority. In our fast-paced and chaotic lives, it can be challenging to find time to take care of ourselves. However, it is crucial to ensure that we allocate time for rest and rejuvenation, alongside our responsibilities towards others. Neglecting our own need for self-care can lead to burnout. Taking care of yourself is essential for maintaining a healthy inner life, which is interconnected with the care of your external life and physical well-being.
Nourish your intellect. Christian songwriters often overlook the importance of engaging their minds and mistakenly believe that Bible study, prayer, and singing worship songs are the only essential aspects of living a sanctified life. However, the most skilled songwriters understand the significance of delving into profound knowledge. They recognize that it is impossible to create extraordinary lyrics without first immersing themselves in exceptional words. If you have ceased reading extensively after completing college or even high school, it is crucial for you to return to the world of books. Simply indulging in fear-inducing news or reinforcing cultural biases through network or cable news does not suffice. If you aspire to write something that can make a lasting impact and endure beyond your lifetime, it is imperative to feed your mind with exceptional literature, poetry, and other inspirational works.
Disconnect from negativity. Cable news is solely focused on generating fear in order to increase their ratings. Even channels claiming to be Christian aim to provoke anger in order to keep viewers engaged and exposed to their sponsored advertisements. Talk radio hosts, shock jocks, and conservative commentators also rely on building a large audience and securing sponsorships for their shareholders. However, the constant stream of negativity they emit is detrimental to your soul and creative abilities. Take a break from consuming any form of news for a few weeks and use that time to sit quietly and reflect on the love and goodness of God. You'll likely find that this practice will result in a newfound sense of positivity that permeates your music. Negativity steals your joy and intensifies fear and anxiety. Instead, take a pause 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 music that stems from their deep connection with God. However, their achievements can also be attributed, at least partially, to their talent as Christian songwriters. I greatly appreciate 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 to also focus on nurturing a deep and meaningful inner life. It is essential to offer something fresh, daring, and liberating to the world, rather than simply recycling clichéd phrases and ideas that have been heard for years.
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