Tips on writing worship songs

[enhabit77]

Why do people always bash Chris Tomlin? It needs to stop. He is a pure & upright guy in God's eyes. He gives really good advice. God bless you Chris Tomlin!

[2hamboigahs]

To me in my little opinion, categorizing songs that you write is pretentious and limiting. its forced. There's countless themes of God's love and mystery - does that mean they're all "worship" songs? I can worship and praise Him through song. "worship" song sounds like big hook, big chorus, sing along. If Amazing Grace was written today no one would record it because it has neither. I love the Lord but I cant stand corporate "worship" music. Im not trying to be cynical, sarcastic or righteous.

[Joyce4Christ]

Chris, What you said is so from the Holy Spirit, Songs come from the Holy Spirit from being IN HIM!!!!!!! IN IN IN IN IN IN HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[kpharris32]

I think the most important thing here is that a response to God begins in God (because God gives not the Spirit by measure) that is not technique, or talent, though these are certainly employed, there MUST be the Spirit and Truth of God at work in the Worship of Him, because He seeks you as such: That He imparts God of very God in my heart by faith in Christ, to the glory of God. We are masters of that Oneness, we partake of Him everyday, though some of us from bitter pain wring deeper notes..

[typep23456]

wow, thanks for the great advice! I still need to find my place of worship. I don't really know where or how to start!

[kpharris32]

@typep223456 How to find your place of worship? Eternity is HERE & NOW, Never to be There, or Then, as most are accustomed to think. Just reckon that God will receive you on the merit of Christ, and what the Holy Spirit brings sin in dark, renounce in the light. Rinse lather repeat: What obstructs, distracts, hinders? The WORLD, the FLESH and the DEVIL. When you conquer the deeds, take every THOUGHT, and make it captive to Christ. Don't be afraid to march of the map of your life, with abandon.

[Joyce4Christ]

@kpharris32 Thank You for Biblical Truth! Obey His Commands, as His Bride, or you are not His!

[Joyce4Christ]

@kpharris32 Thank You for Biblical Truth! Obey His Commands, as His Bride, or you are not His!

[dpelletier1991]

Chris Tomlin, thank you for this post. I respect and admire your candor and your abilities. You are very inspiring. Even your studio recordings exude genuineness and a deep love for Christ.

Really enjoyed your new album.

[dickmarellan]

Picture your comedy tailored to the belief system of a particular group. Then consider being told that certain dramas don't fit with that same belief system.

Choice or exploitation?

[MrSoftwareMan]

"I suppose it's ok if you like your Jeebus lyrics set to sub-standard, out-dated, radio friendly dross."

by the way, maybe you are a little antiquated and backwards to know, but, did you realize that Red is so out-dated to be on MTV......? And perhaps if you knew certain popular genres and vocal styles such as linkin park and 30 seconds to mars (secular mind you), you would know that many of these Christian groups often surpass such famous secular artists.

[dpelletier1991]

Many of these Christian groups actually have formal classical training and influences. Anyone with fundamental music knowledge alone could see that as in the case of Red).

[dickmarellan]

Again, you are trying to justify their existence.

Look up the top 10 best selling artists of all time or maybe the most influential and see how many are classically trained (or babbling on about how great and loving a certain mythical teacher is).

[dpelletier1991]

No need for justification at all ;) -- Obviously, I'm challenging your blanket value judgement against specific genres. It is interesting though that although I've mentioned tanglibles, you use vagueness/obfuscation/whole word replacement.

Again it is obvious you didn't listen to the music mentioned tho you say you did; otherwise you would have realized that you are proving your own ignorance in your comment above.

[dpelletier1991]

And, another *Very* interesting curiosity -- if you dislike this music *so* much,

What are you doing here?..............

Justifying your beliefs? And, I am sure that you have chosen your battles so carefully (as you mentioned) that you specifically search out such pages to post to.

A mystery indeed.

Anyway, nice chatting with you but I am ending this thread. Cheers & do bid you well.

[dickmarellan]

And being on MTV makes it good does it?

And why do you feel the need to justify the christian pap against regular bands?

[dpelletier1991]

Very weak, man.... Nice try -- I'm responding to your 'out-dated' comment.... don't you know your own comments?: "I suppose it's ok if you like your Jeebus lyrics set to sub-standard, **out-dated**, radio friendly dross." I only included it 3 or 4 times.

--> "did you realize that Red is so out-dated to be on MTV......?"

Too funny...

Actually, I said "secular".... There again replacing words with your own.... Again, Nice try....

[dickmarellan]

You make very little sense.

[MrSoftwareMan]

;)

Get your head checked, buy a dictionary, & quit it with those shock therapy sessions, will you?

I'm actually kind of embarrased for you. Again, why are you here anyway? find some other place if you dislike this music.....? ;) Man, you're a walking contradiction.

Goodbye and I do bid you well

[dickmarellan]

That's better. I understood that one.

Au revoir basher de bible.

[dickmarellan]

Here's my tip if you're an average (at best) musician with a voice that can just about carry a tune and a song writing ability which allows you to churn out the odd bit of middle of the road dross.

Rejig the pronouns and any reference to interpersonal love!

Hey presto! She/her becomes Him/He (if you want to be clever try Jesus/Lamb) and love becomes praise/worship etc.

From failed country pop star to wealthy worship sensation with a guaranteed huge audience of taste free hicks in 2 easy steps.

[galaxytrip]

Finally someone has figured out the world and everyone in it. We've been awaiting your return Almighty Dick. Prophet on my brother, tell us the future.

[dickmarellan]

The future? It's a truly horrible place dominated by over produced, watered down country/gospel crossover and weak, corporate "metal" preachers.

[galaxytrip]

I guess that's why they invented opinions. And gave us the ability to choose from a variety of tastes and styles. I wouldn't like walking into a video store and only having drama to choose from. Some times we want a simple comedy. It's funny how some people think they have everything figured out, when they are the furthest away from the big picture. Everything doesn't fit into a box.

[cartmannumber2]

@galaxytrip

what the hell is the matter with you?

[dpelletier1991]

LOL. Alas, another jaded drop out... or somebody with too much time on their hands....?

I would have agreed about the inferior quality ten fifteen years back, but not anymore.

Listen to the rock group Red and then tell that to me again.

The quality of Christian music more often than not is surpassing mainstream.

[dickmarellan]

"Listen to the rock group Red and then tell that to me again. "

Listened and I'm back to tell you again.

I suppose it's ok if you like your Jeebus lyrics set to sub-standard, out-dated, radio friendly dross.

[MrSoftwareMan]

"I suppose it's ok if you like your Jeebus lyrics set to sub-standard, out-dated, radio friendly dross."

'Jeebus'.... so.... "clever"..... Clearly, you didn't listen to Red as you claim. Had you listened to them, you would have been pressed to find any overt lyrics anywhere. And, judging from your posts you seem to have the habit of blindly posting your opionion to any site/webpage you are able (as some sort of silly platform); or, maybe, you just have too much time on your hands Dick.

[dickmarellan]

Ok, I'll admit it. I do have way too much time on my hands.

Maybe, just maybe, if I had any more time I would probably add my comments, delete them, and then create myself a sock puppet account and re-add my comments under my alter-ego.

It's also nice to know you're following my progress by tracking down my comments. I'm touched.

They are not just blindly posted though. I choose my beefs carefully.

[MrSoftwareMan]

;) curious comment - sounds like you've done that before, have you? Actually YouTube seems to be a little buggy for replying to specific posts. It wants to show them as root conversations instead of as replies.

And no, actually there's no 'tracking' involved - when you sign up for an YouTube acct you either take a default for "email responses to posts" or not. ;)

[dickmarellan]

Not so curious. I have the removed comments by dpelletier1991 in my inbox and they are exactly the same as MrSoftwareMan.

And no, I haven't done that. It's a little too underhand - some might say un-christian.

[dpelletier1991]

Man....., got humor? Guess you didn't catch what was said about buggy posting and the ;)... ---posts too long are truncated and same user can't post twice in a row (at least I or my browser wouldn't let it).

[composerct]

O my; how insightful. Why bother studying music when all you need to do is watch this video? And someone please get Rupertlovin a dictionary, please!

[rocketaxe]

why would you be so disrespctful! Do you get some kind of kick out of it. When someone is strong enough in their beliefs to share it with others it should be admired. You should be sorry!

[composerct]

Hitler was strong in his belief, and shared it with others. Do you admire him?

[rocketaxe]

your sarcasm was used to ridicule and belittle someone, yet you choose to deflect your immaturity by sighting the example of an evil mass-murderer ... how insightful an idiot you are!

[composerct]

Huh?

It's hard to take you seriously when you call me immature and then call me an idiot. You said, "When someone is strong enough in theri beliefs to share it with others it should be admired." By that logic, you should admire Adolf Hitler. That's all I'm saying. Is it an extreme example? Sure, but carry it through to its logical conclusion, and that's where you end up.

I'm sure you like Chris Tomlin, and I must have hurt your feelings; so, I'm sorry.

[GOTTshua]

Have you considered that we live in a universe that is ruled by logic, however, human beings (aside from their biological functions) seldom seem to act "logical."

-----or civilised.

Instead, the act on their own selfish desires.

You, me, this video guy & Hitler did too.

[dpelletier1991]

Sounds compos(erc)t could use a basic college-level Intro to Logic class.

talk about a huge leap in faulty logic... LOL

what are you a politician, too?

[dabearsfan31]

It's called "reductio ad absurdum," which can be effective when used wisely. Your method, ad hominem (attacking the man and not the issue, by reducing his name to "compost") is cheap and gimmicky.

Chris Tomlin is a mediocre songwriter in the mediocre field of christian pop music.

[dpelletier1991]

Yes, you make excellent use of Absurdum Profundo.

do apologize for hurting your feelings, though.

If the poster can't handle appropriate response to their sarcastic comments, then maybe they should just withhold their juvenile rantings (just a thought).

[dabearsfan31]

I find it very telling that you refer to your name calling as an "appropriate response." If you really believe that you are not very bright.

And my feelings were not hurt, but I'm pretty sure that you know that. Obviously you're trying to feel better about yourself by offering a condescending "apology." I feel sorry for you; you must be a very lonely and afraid little boy inside.

[LovinRupert]

So true it's also gotta be Holy Spirit enspired to, to worship God with all our hearts, and my God Bless you abundently Chris, your songs just make me wanna worship our God More Intamitly,

[BKmail]

Awesome Chris! I cant wait to meet you in Heaven! =) I remember seeing you play for Student Life back in like 97' 98' somewhere around there. God Bless You, I hope God will continue to use you with writing worship songs, keep em coming Chris!

[silverbrzz]

always for the glory to God !!

[JustMe1st7]

I agree ;)

[jbtgmail]

amazing!

[adalante]

cool