Sound Doctrine is a Must

Too often I'll be listening to a Christian song and all of the sudden a line from the song jumps out of the speaker and punches me in the face.  It's one of those lines that makes my head tilt like a dog's when he hears some high pitched sound.  For instance, one song that was once a chart topper said, "He did not die, I'll tell you why...".  How heinous is that?  If Christ did not die then we're all in for it!  It was His sacrifice that paid the price!!!

Let me encourage all of those who write Christian music to become students of God's word.  Not for the sake of adding to your portfolio of music but so that you might know the God you write about on a more intimate level.  We ought not write just to get a cut but to tell the story of Jesus and to do so correctly.

Before you get it published check the most reputable resource you have... God's word.  It doesn't matter how good the hook is if it isn't doctrinally sound!

Do a New Thing in an Old Fashioned Way

I suppose the most notable error in regards to Southern Gospel songwriting would be the overuse of predictable terms. As Christians, we have the greatest piece of literary history ever known to man from which to draw our inspiration. The word of God offers us an endless array of ideas to consider.

I propose that those writers who compose music in this particular genre take the time to see how many different ways they can tell this age old story.

For instance... in a song I wrote entitled "His Perfect Will" I spoke of the Christians pursuit to be in that perfect place. In the first verse I make reference to the Devil but I don't say, "That old Devil said!" How many times have you heard that line? I referred to the powers of Hell as conspirators. Here's what I wrote...

There's a place I long to be but I don't know where it is. Destination mystery a place of happiness. (Here's where I introduce the "Devil") Sometimes the question floods my brain, "Why do I exist" conspiracies to make me doubt there's a reason that I live.

How else can you write of the streets of gold? What's another way you can tell others about your being set free? Take liberty with the gift God gave you. Don't be predictable!