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The Common Rules. There are some rules to songwriting that we need to give some attention to. I have learned to use them over the years. They definitely have improved the way I write. Did you remember when the last time you looked at a transparency and noticed that the first line of the song is same as the title or that the first line of chorus is the chorus is the as the title? There is a reason for that. The title speaks of what your whole song is about. It gives meaning to your song and life to the words. It is important that we remember to give the title its place. These days this convention does not always hold true due to the growing number of new waves of Christian msuic. My personal opinion is that the more concise your songs title is, the easier it will be for people to remember your song. This is not to say that your songs all need to have a oneword title. It is a matter of personal preference that you will have as a songwriter.
I am now going to move into an area of personal view of some of my core principles of what a song needs to possess. The first rule is a song should be relatively simple and not too long. This way the audience will able to catch on without being overwhelmed. It prevents the audience from struggling to learn a complex song, therefore creating a freedom for people to enter in worship easily.
Lyrics must cause us to experience intimacy with God. As I grew, not all of the songs I sang caused me to feel God's touch, but a few stood out. Those are the ones that draw me more closely to Him, like "Draw Me Close" by Kell Carpenter. This song speaks of our desire to be clsoe to God. The chorus gives it even more power. A love song has
a way for us to be drawn to Him and Him to us.
All of our songs should be to the Father, the Son or the Holy Spirit. I believe if a song is not to one of the above, then it is not a good song to use in a service. What we sing needs to be credited from our source; that God rules over our lives. I hope you may adapt some of these principles to your writing time with God.
Background Check. Over time, I learned that the songs need to be checked. It is essential to do a good check on the "biblical and theological correctness and see if it holds a balance between the word and spirit." So how do we do that?
Get Help! At this point because of my limited understanding of biblical and theological truth, it is best to get help. First, we need to see if there is truth in your song. Second is to get feed back on what others may think of your songs. My friend works at Calvary Baptist Church as Music Director. Ronnie Oliver has extended his help of biblical truth and music background in my pursuit of songwriting excellence. He not only looks at it to see if is biblically and theologically correct. He also looks at the music to see if it holds that balance between the word and spirit. The best method is to have a friend to encourage you to go on, finding someone will be a lot of help.
Continue to Pursue His Call in You. There are days when you wonder why you even write music. All things can seem to be dim at that time. But you must never lose heart. For He has called you out of darkness and into His won- derful light. He has commissioned us for a ministry of music. Let us live the best that we can every day and to rely on his faithfulness to continue tomove forward and if you need to stop writing, then stop. Take one step a time and do not let the day be wasted.
Just be Patient. Do you hate waiting? I feel the same frustration sometimes, as I wonder what may happen next. Over time I have learned to be patient. Just trusting that God knows what he is doing. I think during those days
God was training me to be in ministry, before jumping into something I do not know how to do. Therefore, I will let Him do what He thinks is the best at that time. Slowly He begins to lead me into other areas. Nevertheless, it will happen at the right time and that is not mark out of our own will; He is the one who makes our days ahead.
Resouurces Can Help! Earlier, I spoke about needing to pay more attention to Christian music. I will recom- mend that you listen to the style of music, which you are writing. Go out and purchase the best recordings. What you listen to is what you are going to put into your song. For me, it is Vineyard Music. Over the years I learned and watched how much they care about providing quality church music. Sometimes we can get good music just by asking, as I did when I had little money. People were kniid to me. They are so many ways to obtain resources to build your music writing. All it takes is your willingness to reach and network.
A Closing thought. Above all I spoke of, just being a worshiper is all what the Father is looking for. "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks." John 4:23-24. In your time of writing, remember where each of us came from. Simply just, worship Him.
Luke is currently attending New River Fellowship, in Franklin Tennessee. He is living in Nashville at Davidson County. He loves spending time with friends, watching movies, and eating good food. He is looking forward to what God is going to do with his life.
Contact info. Phone. 615.333.9991 or Email. [email protected]
