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Expressing from a Deep and Meaningful Personal Experience
A prevalent misconception surrounding Christian songwriting is the belief that by simply acquiring a sufficient number of tips, tricks, and shortcuts, one can avoid the challenging process of mastering the art of creating impactful songs that resonate with people.
In my opinion, relying solely on tips and tricks cannot compare to the importance of having a deep spiritual connection with God as a devoted Christian songwriter. If you possess this connection and strong songwriting abilities, you won't need to rely on shortcuts. The ability to write effectively with clarity and confidence will always be accessible to you when you feel the influence of the Holy Spirit in your heart.
The photograph was taken by Laura E. Part
The prevalent culture of instant gratification through technology has influenced us to adopt a mindset that resembles the speed and efficiency of microwaves. It has led us to believe that we can achieve the same level of intelligence and creativity as advanced AI systems like CHATGPT. We expect to effortlessly generate impressive songs within seconds by simply inputting a few prompts, and we anticipate that these songs will amaze 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. These writers are skilled practitioners of Christian songwriting who effectively communicate deep messages through their art. 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."
Prior to the arrival of the prominent figures, they were already dedicated to improving their skills and achieving success in their field. They consistently engaged in learning and honing their ability to create impactful lyrics and melodies, constructing captivating compositions that could deeply touch and resonate with the audience. Their goal was to create something emotionally stirring, a certain inexplicable "WOW" factor that is unmistakable when experienced firsthand.
According to professional golfer Gary Player, the more I dedicate myself to practicing, the more fortunate I become.
These individuals are not seeking out free Christian songwriting workshops or giveaways in a deceptive manner. They are dedicated songwriters who are already actively engaged in their craft, continuously learning and honing their skills in writing profound and poetic lyrics. These are the individuals who are committed to their work, investing their time and effort to create music at a much higher level compared to most aspiring writers who are not willing to put in the same amount of dedication.
We greatly appreciate individuals such as Matt Redman, Matt Maher, Lauren Daigle, and the Gettys for their remarkable impact on Christian worship songwriting. It's hard to imagine where we would be without Chris Tomlin's powerful rendition of "Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone." However, we tend to overlook the fact that these songwriters have dedicated years to improving their skills and have faced various challenges in perfecting their songs and ministries.
No one is able to create a catchy song title or "hook" as effectively as they can. However, this skill doesn't develop overnight, and this is true for everyone. Even Katy Nichole, the rising star of Centricity Music, has been sharing her songs since she was just fourteen years old. Although her hit song "In Jesus' Name (God of Possible)" may appear to have gained sudden popularity, this is not the case. Katy has been working hard at her music for many years. (Congratulations, Katy!)
Strategies for Cultivating a Fulfilling Inner Life as a Christian Songwriter
As a Christian songwriter, there are various approaches you can take to nurture and enhance your inner life. Here are three essential factors to consider while aiming to flourish and convey your faith through your musical creations.
Make taking care of your soul a top priority. In our fast-paced and busy lives, it's easy to neglect our own needs for rest and self-care. While it's important to care for and help others, it's equally important to ensure that we don't burn ourselves out by ignoring our own need for rejuvenation. Whatever self-care means to you, recognize it as essential for maintaining your overall well-being, as it is interconnected with the care of your physical body and external life.
Nourish your intellect. Songwriters who are Christian often overlook the importance of developing their intellect and mistakenly believe that Bible study, prayer, and singing worship songs are the only essential aspects of a holy life. However, the most skilled songwriters understand the value of delving into deep reading. They recognize that it is impossible to create extraordinary lyrics without first immersing themselves in exceptional words. If you have not actively engaged in reading since college, or even high school, it is crucial for you to revisit books. Merely consuming news from television networks or cable channels, which only reinforces your fears and cultural biases, does not suffice. To write something that possesses a lasting impact and may even surpass your lifetime, it is imperative to nourish your mind with exceptional literature, poetry, and other sources of inspiration.
Disconnect from negativity. Mainstream news channels solely focus on fear tactics to boost their ratings. Even channels that claim to have Christian values rely on making you angry in order to keep you watching and exposed to their sponsored advertisements. Talk radio hosts, shock jocks, and conservative pundits also maintain their positions by generating high ratings and securing sponsorships. However, the constant stream of negativity they promote is detrimental to your spiritual well-being and ability to be creative. I suggest taking a break from consuming any type of news for a few weeks and using that time to reflect quietly on God's love and goodness. You will likely find that your positive outlook begins to overflow into your creative endeavors, as negativity only diminishes your joy and increases 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 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 find great admiration in the words of Australian golfer Gary Player, who famously stated, "The more I dedicate myself to practice, the more opportunities for success come my way."
While you are honing your skills in Christian songwriting, it is essential to remember the importance of nurturing your inner life. It is not enough to simply focus on improving your songwriting abilities; the world is in need of something fresh, daring, courageous, and freeing from you. We should strive to offer new perspectives and original ideas, rather than relying on clichéd phrases and concepts that have been repeated for years.
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