Before you read songwriting 102, scroll down to songwriting 101 and get a read of that first. Writing worship songs is one of the Joys of my life. Probably the greatest key to remember when you are writing is that your role in writing worship songs is to connect people to God. A cool hook or phrase is a nice bonus but it is when people get touched by the presence of God that really gives me the greatest sense of fulfillment and Joy.When we write worship songs we are simply putting words in people’s mouths that they have been desperately wanting to say to God for so long but have not known quite how to say what they feel. Worship songs give expression to the eternal feelings that we all have on the inside of us. So really the best way to write is to say what YOU want to say to God or simply speak of who He is to you.As I write I often feel like I am walking on a tight rope trying to balance the thoughts and melodies that fly through my mind and out my mouth at a million miles an hour.In those moments I am trying to balance the most important elements of a worship song, simplicity and creativity. Simple melody lines and lyrics that everyone can sing and understand yet “say it” and “sing it” in a new creative way.  Bottom line is that worship songs are to be sung by EVERYONE and that means that people need to be able to easily connect and find the melody and arrangement incredibly appealing. I would much rather have a song on my Ipod that I need to learn and grow into than one that I am sick of after the first play and I never listen to it again. But a worship song has to be more broad than my own tastes and likes. Especially if we are building “Generational Churches” that include every age demographic. It is also important to balance being theologically right and simple enough that anyone can understand what the song is saying.My goal when I wrote “Open” was to create a song that anyone could sing no matter where they were on there journey of faith. I think the goal was accomplished. In a “pop” song, the grove/ vibe / style / melody line and hook of the song is most important to the person listening and the words are secondary. In a worship song it is polar opposite. The words are the most important and everything else follows because we are expressing our deepest prayers and hearts cry to our maker. Obviously the goal is to write worship songs that say what everyone wants to say and does it in a simple but creative way that makes us all want to participate in the song.I really want to encourage you to continue to write simple songs from your heart that really connect you to God. If you walk the tight rope of simplicity and creativity you are bound to write something that will bless alot of people. See you at Songwriting 103