Blog
Tapping into a Deep Inner World through Writing
A prevalent misconception surrounding Christian songwriting is the belief that by acquiring a sufficient amount of tips, tricks, and shortcuts, one can avoid the necessary effort of learning how to create impactful songs that resonate with people.
I am of the opinion that relying on tips and tricks alone is not enough for a dedicated Christian songwriter. It is essential to have a deep and meaningful relationship with God, which serves as a constant source of inspiration. With this connection and strong songwriting abilities, there is no need to resort to shortcuts or hacks. The ability to write effectively with clarity and confidence will always be accessible whenever you feel the presence of the Holy Spirit guiding your heart.
The photograph was taken by Laura E. Part
The prevailing culture of instant gratification through technology has deeply influenced us, making us believe that we can possess the same capabilities as advanced AI systems like CHATGPT. We have developed the expectation that with just a few prompts, we should be able to effortlessly generate a song in less than three seconds, which would impress everyone.
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. These songwriters are skilled practitioners of the art of Christian songwriting, effectively communicating profound messages through their music. They do not simply attempt to write a song randomly and accidentally produce a masterpiece like "Amazing Grace," "In Christ Alone," or "10,000 Reasons."
Even before the prominent figures arrived, these individuals were already deeply engrossed in their art, striving to achieve greatness. They consistently dedicated themselves to learning and perfecting the art of creating impactful lyrics and melodies, constructing compositions that could captivate listeners on both an emotional and intellectual level. Their goal was to create something so profoundly moving and awe-inspiring that it would be difficult to put into words, but undeniably recognizable when experienced.
According to professional golfer Gary Player, the more effort and dedication I put into practicing, the more fortunate I become in my performances.
These individuals are not actively seeking out free Christian songwriting workshops or giveaways. They are dedicated songwriters who are already engaged in their craft, constantly learning and honing their skills in order to achieve the highest level of poetic and lyrical mastery. These men and women are committed to paying their dues and investing significant time and effort into creating their work, surpassing the dedication I often observe in aspiring writers.
We greatly appreciate individuals such as Matt Redman, Matt Maher, Lauren Daigle, and the Gettys for their incredible impact on Christian worship songwriting. It is difficult to imagine a world without Chris Tomlin's powerful rendition of "Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone." However, it is important to remember that these songwriters have dedicated countless years to perfecting their skills and have faced various challenges 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 in Centricity Music, Katy Nichole. She has been sharing her songs since she was only fourteen years old. While her hit track "In Jesus' Name (God of Possible)" may seem like it gained sudden popularity, it is important to note that Katy has been working hard at her craft for years. Congratulations to Katy for her dedication!
Discovering ways to cultivate a fulfilling and abundant inner life is essential for Christian songwriters. To enhance and articulate your faith through music, consider these three key principles.
Make soul care a top priority. In today's fast-paced world, we often find ourselves caught up in the busyness of life, leaving little time to take care of our own well-being. Although it is important to be caring and helpful towards others, neglecting our own need for rest and rejuvenation can lead to burnout. It is crucial to recognize that taking care of ourselves is essential for maintaining our inner well-being, which is closely connected to the overall care of our external life and physical health.
Nourish your intellect. Many Christian songwriters tend to neglect their intellectual growth and mistakenly believe that Bible study, prayer, and singing worship songs are the only important elements of a holy life. However, the most talented songwriters understand the importance of deep reading. They recognize that it is impossible to create incredible lyrics without first immersing themselves in the beauty of words. If you have stopped reading extensively after college or high school, it is crucial for you to pick up books again. Merely indulging in fear and being influenced by cultural biases through watching network or cable news does not suffice. If you aspire to write something impactful that will transcend your existence, it is essential to feed your mind with exceptional literature, poetry, and other inspiring works.
Disconnect from negativity. Cable news is focused on increasing ratings by spreading fear. Even channels labeled as "Christian" thrive on provoking anger in order to keep viewers engaged and exposed to their sponsored advertisements. Talk radio hosts, shock jocks, and conservative commentators also rely on high ratings and sponsorships to maintain their jobs. However, the constant stream of negativity they express is detrimental to your soul and creativity. Consider taking a break 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 positivity begins to overflow into your creative endeavors. Negativity robs you of joy and intensifies fear and anxiety. 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 their music by drawing inspiration from their deep connection with God. However, their achievements can also be attributed to their proficient skills as Christian songwriters. This reminds me of the well-known quote by Australian golfer Gary Player, who once said, "The more I practice, the luckier I get."
While you are working on improving your Christian songwriting ministry, it is important to remember to also focus on nurturing your inner life. It is crucial to continuously develop your songwriting skills, but it is equally important to bring something fresh, daring, courageous, and freeing to the world. Avoid simply recycling phrases and ideas that have been heard for years.
Please feel free to share this article with your friends. If you have any thoughts or comments, please leave a reply. Additionally, you can save your name, email, and website in this browser for future comment submissions.
In this code, the document object is being used to find an element with the id "ak_js_1". Once the element is found, the setAttribute method is called to change the value attribute of the element to the current
Sections:
– Categorized under
– Connect with us
– Explore additional articles
– Groupings
– Labels
– Well-liked articles:
– Begin your journey
– Highly-rated audio shows
– Characteristics
– Information about
– THE COURSEs that belong to you
– Register now to receive our complimentary Pro Songwriters Top 10 Tip Sheet