Writing Songs for Congregational Worship

This set of songwriting guidelines was based on notes taken from a live session at Soverign Grace Ministries' worship conference in 2002. The session was presented by Stuart Townend from Kingsway Music.

Check Yourself Before Songwriting

  • Writing worship songs is about serving the Body of Christ, not about expressing yourself.
  • Be open to criticism because you are serving the Church.
  • Promotion comes from the Lord. God opens the doors.

Good Worship Songs...

  • Declare biblical truth about who God is, about His character, about who we are in Christ, and about the Church. Many songs are 'here I am' songs about how we feel but we need more about the glory of God.
  • Put into people's mouths what they want to say. As a writer it means you should be in the place of worship. What you do in private comes out in the public.
  • Facilitate a response from people.
  • Are singable, not too complex, and not too simple. Syncopation should be used to support the meaning and word pronunciation. Ask yourself if certain syncopations are necessary.
  • Are strong all the way through - not just one good idea with filler.
  • Says something that other songs don't. There aren't enough songs about God's purpose for the church or about heaven, or trusting Him in times of pressure.
  • Use different styles.
  • Doesn't use cliches.
  • Don't let the rhymes write the song. Every word should mean something.
  • Have an easily singable key.

Thoughts on Inspiration

For inspiration, don't write with an instrument. It makes you go down the same lines that you're used to. Use a micro cassette or paper to quickly capture ideas while you're out and about. Reading scripture is the best place for song inspiration, and sometimes sermons may stir you in a certain way. Sing out loud spontaneously and prophetically.

Find out what set of circumstances (a certain time, or place, or method) that makes your songwriting tick. Sometimes, being consistent about taking time to write can help the flow. Also, write a song for a particular moment in your church.

Expand your vocabulary in your songs. Work hard at thinking things through. Look at scripture and ask what does it mean? Going through old hymns, or using a thesaurus to get ideas for appropriate words for songs is a spiritual activity.

Also, be sure to ask yourself how do you expect people to respond to a song? What kinds of things will God do in people?