by John Chisum, Nashville Christian Songwriters
Ever wonder how songwriters go from good to great? What goes into writing classic songs like 10,000 Reasons or In Christ Alone? What are the common characteristics they share that you could use in your own songwriting? Now you can learn these same proven principles that inspire and energize great Christian songwriters:
1. The great Christian songwriter is a student of the Scriptures.
While not all great Scripture makes for great modern lyrics, Biblical truth is the standard for great Christian songs. If a song reflects something other than great Christian doctrine, it fails the test and should be considered a general market song. The great Christian writer is a lifelong student of the Scriptures and learns the art and craft of weaving the Gospel into his/her songs, even the songs that do not ostensibly appear to be about the Gospel. He or she reflects a Christian worldview in ways that honor God and Biblical faith, in general.
2. The great Christian songwriter uses his/her deep relationship with Jesus to tell the truth and never loses sight of the Source of his/her deepest inspiration and creativity.
This songwriter understands that great Christian songwriting demands great relationship and writes from that understanding. Though all writers hit seasons of dryness, this writer refuses to wait for outside inspiration and seeks the internal Presence of Jesus Christ as the True Source of inspiration and creativity. He or she appreciates sunsets and starlit skies, but doesn’t wait for clear nights and beachside strolls to become inspired. Rather, this writer learns to listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit and follow Jesus into “greater works” (John 14) of creativity and communicating the Gospel.
3. The great Christian songwriter taps into the millennia-deep resources of classic Christian writers and leaders.
The great Christian songwriter researches and taps into thousands of years of Christian tradition for inspiring words from which to jump-start new songs. He or she learns about the amazing writers of all types in the vast Christian tradition and gleans all they can from them. This writer listens to sermons and pays attention to poetic nuances that could inspire a lyric, even in church. This writer isn’t spiritually lazy or emotionally disconnected, but is alive with the endless possibilities that words have when inspired by Jesus and all those whom He has inspired throughout history.
This short excerpt is from John Chisum’s practical e-book, Seven Proven Strategies to Write Better Songs, which is available online at Amazon.com along with Five Keys to Engaging Worship. Check out www.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com for more information and special offers.
Click here for other John Chisum articles available at DiscoverWorship.com.