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Expressing from a Deep and Meaningful Inner World
There is a prevalent misconception surrounding Christian songwriting which suggests that acquiring a sufficient amount of advice, techniques, and shortcuts allows one to avoid the arduous 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. When you possess this connection and also have strong songwriting skills, you don't have to resort to shortcuts. The clarity and confidence to write well will always be accessible to you when you feel the guidance of the Holy Spirit in your heart.
The photograph was taken by Laura E. Part
The current fast-paced and convenience-oriented culture driven by technology has deeply influenced our thinking patterns. It has led us to believe that we can achieve results as quickly and effortlessly as advanced AI models like CHATGPT. We have unrealistic expectations, assuming that we can simply input a few cues and generate a mind-blowing song in less than three seconds.
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 gimmicks. These songwriters are skilled practitioners of the art of Christian songwriting, effectively communicating profound messages 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."
Even before the experienced individuals arrived, these artists were already deeply engaged in their craft, striving to improve and stand out. They consistently dedicated themselves to learning how to create impactful lyrics and melodies, constructing captivating compositions that could deeply resonate with audiences. Their aim was to create something that evoked strong emotions and had that indescribable but undeniable "WOW" factor, which can only be truly understood when heard.
According to professional golfer Gary Player, the more he dedicates himself to practicing, the more fortunate he becomes in his endeavors.
These individuals are not searching for free Christian songwriting workshops or giveaways. They are dedicated songwriters who are already actively engaged in their craft, continuously improving their poetic and lyrical skills. These women and men are committed to putting in the necessary effort and time to create music at a much higher standard than most aspiring writers are willing to invest in their own work.
We greatly appreciate individuals such as Matt Redman, Matt Maher, Lauren Daigle, and the Gettys for their remarkable impact on Christian worship songwriting. It is difficult to imagine where we would be without the powerful songs like Chris Tomlin's "Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone." However, it is important to remember that these songwriters have dedicated years to perfecting their skills and have faced various challenges while refining their songs and ministries.
No one becomes skilled at creating catchy song titles or hooks overnight, and this applies to even rising star Katy Nichole from Centricity Music. Katy has been sharing her songs since she was just fourteen years old, and her popular track "In Jesus' Name (God of Possible)" may seem like a lucky viral success, but that is not the case. Katy has been working hard at her craft for many years. Congratulations to Katy for her dedication and persistence!
Ways to Cultivate a Fulfilling Inner Life as a Christian Songwriter
As a Christian songwriter, there are numerous approaches to nurturing and enhancing a fulfilling inner life. Here are three essential factors to consider while striving to deepen your faith and convey it through your music.
Make taking care of your soul a priority. In our fast-paced and busy lives, we often neglect to take care of ourselves. While it is important to be caring and helpful to others, we cannot ignore our own need for rest and rejuvenation. It is crucial to recognize that taking care of our inner selves is just as important as taking care of our outer lives and physical bodies. Whatever self-care means to you, it is essential for maintaining a balanced and fulfilling life.
Nourish your intellect. Many Christian songwriters tend to neglect their intellects and believe that Bible study, prayer, and singing worship songs are the only important aspects of a holy life. However, the most skilled songwriters engage in deep reading. They understand that it is impossible to compose remarkable lyrics without immersing themselves in profound knowledge and ideas beforehand. If you have stopped reading extensively after college or high school, it is essential for you to pick up books again. Simply consuming fear-inducing news from network or cable channels does not suffice. If you aspire to write something impactful that can transcend your own lifetime, it is crucial to enrich your mind with great literature, poetry, and other sources that inspire.
Disconnect from negativity. Cable news solely focuses on fear-mongering to boost their ratings. Even channels labeled as "Christian" rely on anger-inducing content to keep viewers engaged and watch their sponsored advertisements. Talk radio, shock jocks, and conservative pundits maintain their jobs by attracting high ratings and securing sponsorships for their shareholders. However, the constant stream of negativity they emit is detrimental to your soul and creativity. Take a break from consuming any form of news for a few weeks and spend that time in peaceful contemplation of God's love and goodness. You may find that your positivity begins to overflow into your creative pursuits. Negativity steals your joy and amplifies fear and anxiety. Take a pause and replenish your heart and mind with the Spirit of Jesus.
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 achievements can also be attributed, at least partially, to their proficiency as Christian songwriters. I greatly appreciate the well-known statement made by Australian golfer Gary Player, which emphasizes the importance of practice in increasing one's chances of success.
While you focus on honing your songwriting abilities in Christian ministry, it is crucial to also nurture a deep and fulfilling spiritual life. It is important to offer the world something fresh, daring, courageous, and freeing through your music, rather than simply recycling clichéd phrases and ideas that have been around for years.
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