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Expressing from 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 avoid the arduous 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 Christian songwriter. It is important to have a deep connection with God and a rich inner life, as this will provide inspiration and guidance. When you possess this connection and strong songwriting abilities, there is no need to search for shortcuts. The clarity and confidence required for writing well will always be accessible whenever you feel the Holy Spirit stirring in your heart.
The image was taken by photographer Laura E.
The prevailing digital culture, focused on instant gratification, has shaped our thinking to expect quick results like those achieved by CHATGPT or AI. We believe that by providing a few prompts, we should be able to effortlessly create a song within seconds that 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 or tricks. Instead, these songs are crafted by skilled Christian songwriters who communicate profound messages through their art. They do not simply attempt to write a song and accidentally end up creating 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 improving their skills in their chosen art form. They consistently strived to educate themselves on the techniques of creating impactful lyrics and melodies, and organizing them in a way that could deeply resonate with listeners. They aimed to create something that evokes strong emotions and possesses an indescribable quality that immediately captivates the audience.
According to professional golfer Gary Player, the more I dedicate myself to practicing, the more fortunate I become in my endeavors.
These individuals are not searching for free Christian songwriting workshops or giveaways in a deceptive or insincere manner. These are dedicated songwriters who are already actively engaged in their craft, continuously improving their skills and exploring the most sophisticated techniques in poetry and lyrics. These are the individuals who are committed to paying their dues and investing a considerable amount of time into their creative process, surpassing the efforts of most aspiring writers who are not willing to put in the same level of dedication into their work.
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 the powerful rendition of "Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone" by Chris Tomlin. However, we tend to overlook the fact that these songwriters have dedicated years of their lives to perfecting their craft. They have faced numerous challenges and obstacles while refining their songs and ministries.
No one becomes skilled at creating catchy song titles or hooks overnight, and this is especially true for Katy Nichole, a rising star signed to Centricity Music. Katy has been sharing her songs with the world since she was just fourteen years old. Although it may seem like her hit song "In Jesus' Name (God of Possible)" became popular overnight, that's not the case. Katy has been dedicated to her music for many years. Congratulations to her on her success!
Tips for Cultivating a Fulfilling Inner Life as a Christian Songwriter
As a Christian songwriter, there are several approaches you can take to nurture a deep and enriching inner life. Consider these three principles as you aim to expand and convey your faith through your musical compositions.
Make soul care a priority. In today's fast-paced world, we are often overwhelmed and have very little time to take care of our own well-being. Although it is important to be compassionate and helpful to others, we must also remember to prioritize our own need for rest and rejuvenation. Taking care of ourselves is crucial for maintaining our inner lives, which are interconnected with our physical well-being and the way we manage our external lives.
Nourish your intellect. Many Christian songwriters tend to overlook the importance of engaging their minds and instead focus solely on Bible study, prayer, and singing worship songs as the key components of a holy life. However, the most exceptional songwriters understand the significance of immersing themselves in deep reading. They recognize that it is impossible to create remarkable lyrics if they themselves are not filled with remarkable words. If you have not actively pursued reading since college, or even high school, it is crucial that you pick up a book again. Merely consuming news from network or cable channels, which often perpetuate fear and reinforce cultural biases, does not suffice. If your goal is to write something that can have a lasting impact beyond your lifetime, it is essential to feed your mind with exceptional literature, poetry, and other inspiring works.
Disconnect from negativity. Cable news is solely focused on driving ratings through fear-inducing content. Even the so-called "Christian" stations thrive on provoking anger in order to keep viewers engaged and exposed to their sponsored advertisements. Talk radio hosts, shock jocks, and even conservative pundits maintain their jobs by increasing ratings and securing sponsorships for their stakeholders. However, the constant stream of negativity they spread is detrimental to your spiritual well-being and stifles your creativity. I suggest abstaining from consuming any form of news for a few weeks and using that time to sit quietly and reflect on God's love and goodness. You will likely find that your positivity starts to overflow into your creative endeavors. Negativity not only robs you of joy, but it also heightens fear and anxiety. Take a break 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 and lyrics from a place of abundance in their connection with God. However, their triumphs can also be attributed, at least partially, to their expertise in composing Christian songs. I am reminded of the profound words of Australian golfer Gary Player, who once said, "The more I dedicate myself to practice, the more opportunities I seem to attract."
While you are honing your skills in Christian songwriting, it is crucial to also focus on cultivating a deep and fulfilling spiritual life. It is important to offer something fresh, courageous, and liberating to the world through your music, rather than simply repeating overused phrases and concepts that have been heard for many years.
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