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Expressing from a Deep Inner World
A prevalent misconception about Christian songwriting is the belief that by simply acquiring enough advice, shortcuts, and techniques, one can skip the arduous process of mastering the art of creating impactful songs that resonate with people.
I am of the opinion that having a deep connection with God and a strong ability to write songs are more important than relying on tips and tricks as a Christian songwriter. When you possess a rich inner life in God and possess strong songwriting skills, you don't need any shortcuts. The clarity and confidence to write well will always be readily available to you, especially when you feel the guidance of the Holy Spirit in your heart.
The photograph was taken by Laura E. Part
The fast-paced culture of our digital era has conditioned us to expect instant results, making us believe that we can possess the same capabilities as CHATGPT or AI. We believe that with just a few prompts, we should be able to effortlessly generate a popular song in less than three seconds, causing everyone to be amazed.
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 cheats. Instead, these songs are written by individuals who are skilled practitioners of Christian songwriting and are able to effectively communicate profound messages through their art. They did not simply attempt to write a song one day and by chance produce a masterpiece like "Amazing Grace," "In Christ Alone," or "10,000 Reasons."
Even before the experienced individuals arrived, they were already dedicated to their craft and striving to improve. They were constantly learning how to create impactful lyrics and melodies that could captivate listeners on an emotional level. Their goal was to create something that had an indescribable "WOW" factor, which could only be understood once heard.
According to professional golfer Gary Player, the greater amount of practice I put in, the more fortunate I become.
These individuals are not actively seeking out free Christian songwriting workshops or giveaways. They are dedicated and ambitious songwriters who are already immersed in their craft, constantly improving and honing their skills in the art of writing poetic and meaningful lyrics. These are the individuals who are willing to invest their time and effort into creating music at a much higher caliber than most aspiring writers.
We hold great respect for individuals such as Matt Redman, Matt Maher, Lauren Daigle, and the Gettys due to their remarkable impact on the creation of Christian worship songs. It is difficult to imagine what our worship experience would be like without Chris Tomlin's "Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone." However, we tend to overlook the fact that these songwriters have dedicated years to perfecting their skills and have faced numerous challenges in order to polish 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 in Centricity Music, Katy Nichole. 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 it gained sudden popularity, it is actually the result of years of dedication and hard work. Congratulations to Katy for her well-deserved success!
Ways to Cultivate a Fulfilling Inner Life as a Christian Songwriter
As a Christian songwriter, there are numerous approaches to nurturing and enriching your inner life. Here are three essential factors to consider while striving to enhance and convey your faith through your music.
Make taking care of your soul a top priority. In today's fast-paced and busy world, it can be easy to neglect our own well-being while tending to the needs of others. However, it is important to remember that if we do not take the time to rest and replenish ourselves, we will eventually become burnt out. It is crucial to find a way to care for ourselves that aligns with our own individual needs, as it is essential for maintaining a healthy inner life. This inner life is deeply connected to our overall well-being and cannot be separated from the care we give to our outer life and physical body.
Nourish your intellect. Many Christian songwriters tend to overlook the importance of intellectual growth and assume that Bible study, prayer, and singing worship songs are the only crucial aspects of a holy life. However, the most talented songwriters understand the significance of deep reading. They acknowledge that it is impossible to craft remarkable lyrics without first immersing themselves in profound words. If you have stopped reading extensively after college or even high school, it is essential for you to pick up books again. Merely consuming fear-inducing news from mainstream or cable networks does not contribute to your intellectual nourishment. If you desire to create impactful and enduring work, it is imperative to feed your mind with exceptional literature, poetry, and other inspiring works.
Disconnect from negativity. The content on cable news is solely focused on generating fear in order to attract viewers and boost ratings. Even channels that claim to have Christian values often exploit anger to keep viewers engaged and exposed to their advertisements. Talk radio hosts, provocative personalities, and conservative commentators rely on high ratings and sponsorships to maintain their jobs. However, the constant stream of negativity they convey can harm your emotional well-being and hinder your creativity. Consider taking a break from consuming any kind of news for a few weeks and instead spend that time in peaceful reflection, contemplating the love and goodness of God. You may notice that your positivity starts to overflow into your creative endeavors. Negativity steals your happiness 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 to their proficiency as Christian songwriters. I am particularly fond of the well-known quote by Australian golfer Gary Player, who stated, "The more I practice, the luckier I get."
While you work on honing your Christian songwriting skills, remember to also prioritize the growth of your inner life. It is important to offer something fresh, daring, courageous, and freeing to the world, rather than simply regurgitating worn-out phrases and ideas that have been heard for many years.
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