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Tapping into a Deep Inner World
There is a widespread misconception surrounding Christian songwriting, suggesting that with the right amount of advice, shortcuts, and techniques, one can avoid the necessary effort of mastering the art of creating impactful songs that resonate with people's hearts.
In my opinion, relying solely on tips and tricks is not enough to be a successful Christian songwriter. It is important to have a deep and meaningful connection with God, as well as strong songwriting abilities. By having these qualities, you won't need to resort to shortcuts or tricks, as the clarity and confidence to write impactful songs will always be accessible to you when you feel inspired by the Holy Spirit.
The image was captured by Laura E. Part
Our current culture of quickly consuming digital content has influenced our thinking in a way that makes us believe we can emulate the abilities of CHATGPT or AI. We have this expectation that we should be able to input a few prompts and instantly generate a song that will amaze everyone 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 tricks. Instead, these songs are crafted by skilled Christian songwriters who effectively communicate through their art. They don't simply attempt to write a song on a whim and accidentally create masterpieces like "Amazing Grace," "In Christ Alone," or "10,000 Reasons."
Before the arrival of the more experienced individuals, they were already dedicated to studying and striving to succeed in their artistic endeavors. They were consistently learning and honing their skills in order to create impactful compositions that could deeply resonate with listeners, evoking strong emotions and possessing that indescribable "WOW" factor that is instantly recognizable.
Professional golfer Gary Player once said that the more he dedicates himself to practicing, the more fortunate he seems to become.
These individuals are not seeking free Christian songwriting workshops or giveaways in a deceitful manner. They are committed and dedicated songwriters who are already actively engaged in their craft, constantly improving their poetic and lyrical skills. These individuals are investing their time and effort to create at a much more advanced level compared to most aspiring writers who are not willing to put in the same level of commitment and dedication.
We greatly respect individuals such as Matt Redman, Matt Maher, Lauren Daigle, and the Gettys for their incredible impact on Christian worship songwriting. It's difficult to imagine where we would be without Chris Tomlin's powerful rendition of "Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone." However, we often 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 especially true for the rising star Katy Nichole from Centricity Music. She has been posting songs since she was only fourteen years old, and her hit "In Jesus' Name (God of Possible)" may seem like a lucky viral success, but it is the result of years of hard work and dedication. Congratulations to Katy for her achievements!
Tips for Cultivating a Fulfilling Inner Life as a Christian Songwriter
As a Christian songwriter, there are numerous approaches to nurturing and enhancing your inner life. Consider these three aspects while striving to expand and convey your faith through your music.
Make soul care a priority. In our fast-paced and busy lives, it can be easy to neglect taking care of our own souls. However, it is important to remember that while caring for others is important, we cannot neglect our own need for rest and rejuvenation. Taking care of ourselves is essential for maintaining a healthy inner life, which is closely intertwined with our overall well-being and physical health.
Nourish your intellect. Many Christian songwriters often overlook the importance of engaging their minds and assume that Bible study, prayer, and singing worship songs are the only crucial components of a holy life. However, the most exceptional songwriters understand the significance of delving into deep reading. They recognize that it is impossible to craft remarkable lyrics if they have not immersed themselves in substantial content beforehand. If you have ceased reading extensively since college or even high school, it is essential for you to return to books. Simply indulging in fear-inducing and culturally biased news on network or cable channels does not suffice. If you aspire to write something impactful that could surpass your own lifetime, it is imperative to nourish your mind with exceptional literature, poetry, and other inspiring works.
Disconnect from negativity. Cable news is solely focused on increasing ratings by instilling fear. Even the religious channels aim to provoke anger in order to retain viewership and keep them watching the sponsored advertisements. Talk radio hosts, controversial personalities, and even conservative commentators maintain their positions by generating high ratings and attracting sponsorships for their stakeholders. However, the constant stream of negativity they propagate is detrimental to your spiritual well-being and stifles your creativity. Consider abstaining from consuming any form of news for a few weeks and instead spend that time in quiet reflection, contemplating the love and goodness of God. You may find that your positive outlook begins to overflow into your creative endeavors. Negativity not only steals your joy but also intensifies feelings of fear and anxiety. Take a break and allow Jesus' Spirit to once again fill your heart and mind.
Christian artists and songwriters such as Nichole, Tomlin, Redman, Maher, and many others create their music and lyrics from a place of abundant connection with God. However, their achievements can also be attributed, at least partially, to their expertise as Christian songwriters. I am reminded of the well-known quote by Australian golfer Gary Player, who said, "The more I practice, the luckier I get."
While you are working on improving your skills in Christian songwriting, it is important to also focus on nurturing your spiritual life. It is crucial to bring something fresh, daring, and freeing to the world through your music, rather than simply repeating the same old phrases and ideas that have been heard for years.
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