Crowder does this too

Looks like The David Crowder Band has a pretty good back log of things they went through to make their record at their church. I thought it might be an interesting watch:

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=3FC1B892A7E054D8

Song Criteria

Hey guys,

So I was thinking that it might be helpful to have a "check list" or a couple of guidelines to writing the kind of songs that we value here at hcbcut.  Here is what I came up with:

1. A song must say something at least objective but in addition, subjective and    reflective.

a. Objective: says something true about God, often times straight from the bible (not necessarily verbatim).  Hymns for the most part are objective.

b. Subjective: Speak to feelings and emotions and how much we love God, how amazing God is, etc.  These songs speak to love, adoration, conviction, longing, etc.

c. Reflective: Talks about what we are doing.  We are offering our praise, lifting our hands, bowing our heads, etc.

2. A song must be sing able for the congregation

a. Worship songs are for the congregation and not just a performance.  They must be sing        able.

3. A song must be contextual

a. Song must relate to the culture of our community.  They need to not just have sound doctrine and be sing able, but they need to sound good too.  They need to be cool!!!

4. A song must speak the heart of the congregation

a. All our songs must come out of what we believe God is speaking to our congregation or    what our church, corporately is expressing to God.

5. A song must be Gospel-centered

a. All our songs must be written through the lens of the Gospel

Tunes

I'm experimenting with some open-tuned jams on guitar...right now i'm pretty much just hitting the record button, and playing around, If I get a chance to prune some of them, I'll try posting a link or attachment of some sort...

"What a Savior"

Here is a song that Erica and I have been working on for the past month.  Let me know what you think...

Verse 1:

Lord we remember your grace

You died upon that tree

And you took my place

Lord we remember your love

There’s no greater love

Than he who lays down his life

in sacrifice

We’re so undeserving

Chorus:

What a Savior is this  

We stand in awe

What a Savior is this

Amazing God

What a Savior is this

We stand in awe,

of you Lord 

Verse 2:

Lord you first pursued our heart

When we were choosing sin

We were so far apart

Lord such love a paradox

Though free from all guilt

You suffered wrath on the cross,

You paid the cost

We’re so undeserving

Bridge:

Jesus you tasted death for me

You conquered the grave and you set the captives free

Jesus you Reign and you live in me

Forever and ever we will sing

Why does God want us to write Songs? Part 1

I want to take this opportunity to begin a dialogue on "Why does God want us to write songs."According to Mark Altrogge there are three major reasons why he wants us to write.  He wants us to write for his glory, for the church, and for our personal worship.  In the next several posts, we will be digging into these.

For his glory

It say in 1 Corinthians 10:31, "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."  First and foremost, our motivation for writing songs is for his glory alone.  The truth is, because of our sinfulness, we will not be one hundred percent pure in our motives.  We do, however, need to PRAY for pure motives.  We need to pray individually and corporately that God will change our hearts and allow us to write for his glory alone.  As we draw near to God and desire him above all things and realize that all joy and satisfaction comes from him as we respond to his love that He has shown to us on the cross, our songs will be an overflow of the heart and most glorifying to God! 

We see throughout all of the Psalms time and time again that God not only delights in us praising him through song, but that he commands it (Psam 33:1; Psalm 81:1-4; Psalm 98:4-6; Psalm 147:7; Psalm 150).  The command that God has on our lives as gifted writers and musicians is that we use our gifts to make music for his name and for his Glory.