Foundations in Songwriting

Songwriting, of course, has many forms and styles. I started out writing evangelistic songs conveying the gospel and my testimony which were intended to be performed. It has been, and still is, a learning curve for me to transition to writing corporate worship songs, which is our focus here, and which has its own unique skillset.

In writing for corporate worship, obviously, you’re writing songs specifically to be sung together by the Church in worship. What a privilege. So here’s just a few thoughts about that skillset, and the heart behind it.

Writing for corporate worship means melodies that are strong and memorable and easily learned, and can be sung with very few instruments, or none at all, if needed. It means a range of notes that will suit most people.

And of course it means not expressing our own thoughts and opinions, but Biblical truth. Terry Virgo says, “Truth ignites fires in people.” Read your Bible, obviously, and let the overflow of your heart be the Word of God. Read great books - here are some of my favourites. Read great poetry.

Have a great respect for what’s gone before – for example, the great hymns of the past that have been sung for centuries, as well as choruses like Turn your eyes upon Jesus that have served many generations and songs like In Christ alone, that will probably be sung until He comes again! Consider: What makes each of them special?

Miles and I love old hymnbooks! If you’re wondering what to write about – look at the thematic index of an old hymnbook. They usually cover so many more themes than we sing about in church today. Or why not sit down with your pastor and ask, what would you love us to be singing about that currently we’re not? Maybe there’s a new preaching series coming up and it would be great to capture the heart of that in a new song for the Church.

So always write with your local church in mind. In reality, only a small number of songs reach a very wide audience. And honestly, it’s God that does that. If a song is intended for a wider audience than your local church, I truly believe God will take it there. Trust Him with that, and focus on serving your local church with the best songs you can.

Inspiration can strike at any time - When that idea pops into your head at 2am get out of your cosy bed every time. You won’t remember that idea in the morning. No idea is too small to record. And label those song memos on your phone.

Learning the craft of songwriting is a marathon, not a sprint. You’ve heard, I’m sure, it takes 10,000 hours to acquire a skill. That’s a lot of writing! Every experienced writer will say, not every song you write is going to set the world on fire. Just keep writing. The more you write, the better you’ll get at it. There’s a great saying in Australia, ‘every day’s a school day’. You learn something from every song – take the time to figure out what it was you learned from that last writing experience. Tuck that away for next time.

The late John Wimber once said “the real test in these days will not be the writing and producing of new and great worship music. The real test will be the godliness and character of those who deliver it.”

Christian songwriters can become very well-known people these days. But I encourage you, don’t make that the goal or even, the secret desire. Let’s not let our identity be caught up in being a Songwriter, or how far our songs travel, or how many views or streams they get.

To be not just content, but thrilled, to be known and loved by God, and have our identity in Him, is surely what it means to have life and life to the full. When our eyes are on Him, we’re not concerned with how ‘well’ we are doing, or with comparing ourselves with the person running next to us. And hopefully we’re all running in the same direction anyway.

Let’s pray that our songs communicate even glimpses of the glory of Jesus, and point people to Him. “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.”