Blog
Tapping into a Deep Inner World
A prevalent misconception surrounding Christian songwriting is the belief that by simply acquiring a sufficient amount of tips, tricks, and shortcuts, one can evade the laborious 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 essential to have a deep connection with God and a rich inner life, which will serve as a valuable source of inspiration. With a strong foundation in both faith and songwriting skills, there is no need to resort to shortcuts. The ability to write well with clarity and confidence will always be present, ready to be accessed whenever the Spirit moves in your heart.
This photograph was taken by Laura E. Part
The modern culture of instant gratification through technology has influenced us to adopt a mindset that resembles a microwave – expecting quick results and efficiency. It has led us to believe that we can emulate the abilities of advanced AI systems like CHATGPT. We believe that with just a few prompts, we should be able to effortlessly generate a song within a matter of seconds that everyone will be amazed by.
However, based on my personal observations, the songs that have a lasting impact on the world are not created by writers who rely on shortcuts or gimmicks. These writers are skilled practitioners of the art of Christian songwriting, effectively communicating profound messages through their music. They don't simply attempt to write a song randomly and accidentally create masterpieces like "Amazing Grace," "In Christ Alone," or "10,000 Reasons."
Before the arrival of the big ones, these individuals were already dedicated to studying and becoming masters of their craft. They were always striving to improve their skills in creating impactful lyrics and melodies, constructing compositions that could deeply touch the emotions of their audience. They aimed to create something indescribably captivating, evoking a sense of awe and wonder that can only be understood through experiencing it firsthand.
According to professional golfer Gary Player, the more time and effort I put into practicing, the more fortunate and successful I become.
These individuals are not searching for free opportunities such as Christian songwriting workshops or giveaways. They are dedicated and motivated songwriters who are already actively engaged in learning and practicing advanced poetic and lyrical techniques. These are the individuals who are willing to invest their time and effort to reach a much higher level of skill in their craft, unlike many aspiring writers who are not as committed.
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 where we would be without Chris Tomlin's "Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone." However, we tend to overlook the fact that these songwriters have dedicated years of their lives 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 applies to everyone, including up-and-coming artist Katy Nichole from Centricity Music. Katy 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 realize that Katy has been working hard at her craft for years. Congratulations to Katy for her success!
Tips for Cultivating a Deep and Fulfilling Inner Life as a Christian Songwriter
As a Christian songwriter, there are various approaches to nurturing and enhancing your inner life. Here are three essential factors to consider while striving to expand your spiritual journey and convey your faith through your music.
Make taking care of your soul a priority. In today's fast-paced world, we often find ourselves overwhelmed and with little time to focus on our own well-being. However, it is important to remember that while we should always prioritize caring for others, neglecting our own need for rest and rejuvenation can lead to burnout. It is crucial to find ways to take care of ourselves, whether it be through self-care practices or activities that bring us joy, as it is essential for maintaining a healthy inner life that is interconnected with our physical and outer well-being.
Nourish your intellect. Many Christian songwriters tend to overlook the importance of intellectual growth, believing that Bible study, prayer, and singing worship songs are the only essential aspects of a holy life. However, the most skilled songwriters understand the significance of reading extensively. They recognize that it is impossible to produce remarkable lyrics if their minds are not enriched with knowledge. If you have neglected reading since college or even high school, it is crucial for you to pick up books again. Merely consuming fear-inducing news on television or the internet does not suffice. If you aspire to write something impactful that can endure beyond your lifetime, it is essential to nourish your mind with exceptional literature, poetry, and other sources of inspiration.
Disconnect from negativity. Cable news constantly promotes fear in order to attract viewers and generate ratings. Even channels with a Christian focus thrive on angering you so that you continue watching and endure their sponsored advertisements. Talk radio, provocative hosts, and even conservative commentators maintain their jobs by boosting ratings and securing sponsorships for their investors. However, the constant stream of negativity they propagate is detrimental to your soul and creativity. Try abstaining from 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 may notice that your positivity begins to overflow into your music. Negativity robs you of joy and amplifies fear and anxiety. Take a break and let Jesus' spirit fill your heart and mind once again.
Christian artists and songwriters such as Nichole, Tomlin, Redman, Maher, and many others are able to create their music because of their deep connection with God. However, their success can also be attributed, at least partially, to their talent and abilities as Christian songwriters. I find it inspiring how golfer Gary Player once stated, "The more I practice, the luckier I get."
While you are working on improving your skills as a Christian songwriter, it is important to also focus on nurturing a fulfilling personal life. It is crucial to offer something unique, courageous, and empowering to the world through your music, rather than relying on recycled phrases and concepts that have been used for many years.
Please feel free to share this article with your friends. If you have any thoughts or comments, please leave a reply below. Additionally, you can save your name, email, and website information in this browser to make commenting easier in
In this code snippet, the getElementById method is used to select an element with the ID "ak_js_1". The setAttribute method is then called on this element to set its value attribute to the current timestamp, obtained using
Listed under
Stay connected with us
Explore additional articles
Grouped into different sections
Keywords
Trending articles:
Begin your journey
Highly recommended audio programs
Highlighted characteristics
Information regarding our company
Courses specifically designed for you
Enroll now and receive our complimentary guide for professional songwriters