RussHutto.com

What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. (Ecc. 1:9)

When writing music for congregational worship, or for anything really, we have to acknowledge that anything and everything that we’re thinking about writing, be it music or lyrics, has already been done.

Creativity does not mean being 100% original.

Creativity means taking who you are, who and what you’ve been influenced by, and what God is giving you in the moment and shaping it into something that is of benefit to others.

Creativity isn’t about being original, it means creating something useful.

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with trying to be original, as long as that’s not our overarching goal. If all I ever strive to be is original, then I’ll definitely be missing the mark. I would be leaving something so valuable behind: usefulness.

Think about this: God created you as a unique and wonderfully made individual, yet he used elements of your mom and your dad and their moms and dads and theirs and so on and so on. The end result isn’t a totally original piece of human art.

The end result is a mashup of everything that has come before you. Yet, you are still you, and only you.

When writing music, keep in mind that straight up copying is NOT what I’m talking about here. That is more like cloning, which is like playing God, and not advisable. What I’m talking about is the convergence of influences, training, heritage, individual preference, styles, and thoughts into an unique expression of song.

Just like the birth of a little boy or a little girl. All the different family traits and characteristics come together to make something familiar, yet so unique.

What’s wonderful about songwriting is that for thousands of years people have literally been writing about the same things: love, heartache, joy, sadness, friends, enemies, and so on. But just imagine how many different voicings we have of the same topics? A multitude.

Don’t get hung up on originality. Focus your writing in on USEFULNESS. How can the congregation benefit from this song. How will this song help them to see, hear, experience, and express the idea of the song?

If your song is the most original thing in the world, yet fails to help people express their worship in and through singing, then it is a dud. No matter how many other songwriters like it. No matter how many critics call it innovative and original.

Is there anything of which one can say, “Look! This is something new”? It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time. (Ecc. 1:10)

1) Serve them.

Make it your purpose and intention to serve them through every rehearsal, through every note sung, played, or written. When you “lead” worship, it’s not for you, it’s for GOD and for them. When you plan and sing songs that are singable, catchy, rich in truth, encouraging, moving, inspiring, and memorable you are serving them. Don’t view Sunday mornings as your personal “dive into the depths of abandoned worship” moment. View it as a moment to show them you love them by serving them [have your deep dive in moments in smaller groups or in your prayer/worship times during the week].

2) Teach them.

Take opportunities to teach about worship. I don’t mean a 12 point sermon on what worship is. I don’t mean an hour long teaching on Hebrew Words for worship. I mean teach them by your actions. Live a worship life before you ever speak on “what worship is.” THEN, take opportunities to share periodically about worship activities: clapping, singing, kneeling, lifting hands, etc.

3) Lead them.

Building on the above. People in your faith family need to SEE YOU worshiping. Obviously, Sunday mornings are a great time for them to see you worshiping through singing/playing. I’m talking about more than that. They should see you serving OUTSIDE of the music team. They should see you participating in the life of your church! They should see you at community events. They should see you serving (which IS worship).

4) Write for them.

Let them know you care by sharing your songwriting with them. I know sometimes it seems like it’s hard to compete with the quality production and songwriting coming from the latest modern worship chart toppers, but that’s not the point. The point is (from #1) that we serve them by writing for them. And when you do write something for them, don’t be afraid to tell them. When my congregation knows we’re singing a song I wrote it’s an opportunity for them to SEE that I love them and care about them enough to write FOR them.

5) Be transparent.

I fail in ALL of these areas. My worship team knows it. My closest friends know it. And now you do too. And you know what, the world doesn’t end when I admit my shortcomings. In fact, the world seems to make more sense when I SHARE my weaknesses and lock arms with those around me to tackle those areas. You don’t always have to appear to have it all together. Sometimes you need to cry in front of your people. Sometimes you need to laugh. Sometimes you need to say you had a hard week, and that you’re excited to come in and focus on Jesus WITH your people. Be real.

You can do it.

Sure there’s a place for the latest Tomlin or Houghton tune, the latest Hillsong or Jesus Culture tune, but I’m calling worship leaders out worldwide:

WRITE MORE MUSIC FOR YOUR CONGREGATION.

Yes, you.

Worship music isn’t more “anointed” or “holy” because it comes from a big modern worship label or because it comes from the pen of the most famous worship tune writer.

Worship music isn’t more pure or more right because it’s sung by churches all over the West.

Worship music isn’t great, in fact, it isn’t worship at all, because of the arrangement or instrumentation. It doesn’t matter if the guitars shred or the drums are smoking. It doesn’t matter if the pipe organ bellows or the piano sparkles.

Worship music is simply music that you use to worship with. It’s the worshipers who make worship music worship. The hearts from where the worship flows from.

Worship is a response to God. Teach your people that THEY can respond simply and personally to God by exemplifying that by your own songwriting.

Lead them in singing new songs to God. It doesn’t mean that they have to write full fledged songs, but I guarantee that if you begin to share your own songs of for worship, people will be inspired to sing their own songs; be it in the car, in the shower, in the yard, in the house, etc.

Serve them by sharing your music with them.

Bless them by giving them a “voice” that is theirs. Not the megachurch down the street. Not the big record label over in Musictown, USA. But theirs. Nothing wrong with those other songs…God surely loves when we sing songs in unity. But I know that He also loves creativity!!

Write.

Teach. Lead. Share. Bless. Write.

This is a remix of a song I wrote back in 03 or 04 (somewhere in there). I’ve not had a lot of time to devote to my writing the last month, with all the busy-ness going on. I was about to go to bed tonight and decided (at the very least) that I could remix a song. And lo and behold here it is:

 

 To The Sky (Night Owl Mix): Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

And in case you’re wondering there is not an owl hooting in this remix.

This is a song originally from my band, Blind Men See (2003-2006). The original version can be listened to here, it’s a little more pop rocky and less dirty south, but you can see how different the remix is.

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To The Sky 2003 Russ Hutto

I tend to find myself surrounded by dry land and nothing else
No water anywhere in sight and I can’t make it right
So I turn to the sky, lift my face to the sky
From the clouds comes a drip and I can feel it on my lips

I’m weary again (and I can feel it on the inside)
Only You can fill me up (so I’m turning to You once again)
I’m weary again (and I can feel it on the inside)
Only You can fill me up (so I’m turning to You once again)

I turn my face to the sky again
And let the rain of Your love
Fall down on me again
I lift my eyes to the sky again
And let the rain of Your love
Fall on me

I’m looking up at the night down on my knees in the night
Trying to get to the place When I can see Your face
This desert is dry So I look to the sky
To the place where You are ‘Cause I’ve wandered so far

Only You can fill me up (so I’m turning to You once again)
I’m weary again (and I can feel it on the inside)
Only You can fill me up (so I’m turning to You once again)

I turn my face to the sky again
And let the rain of Your love
Fall down on me again
I lift my eyes to the sky again
And let the rain of Your love
Fall on me

So I turn to the sky, lift my face to the sky
From the clouds comes a drip and I can fill it on my lips

So I’ve done it. I think I’ve successfully mashed up a good rock/electronic vibe with some hip hop a la Kanye/Lil Wayne (think autotune) and Adam Lambert (Ya know the falsetto screamer on American Idol). What’s so funny is I ABSOLUTELY hate the autotune sound. But I made myself use it for this. You know the challenge of trying to use something you wouldn’t normally. You’ll have to listen to hear it.

I’ve taken the text and tune from an old Public Domain hymn (Nothing But The Blood) and reworked it a bit.

All in garage band. No fancy mics or anything. And all the guitar work is just me playing my acoustic through GB amp simulators and such.

You’ll either love it or hate it.

 

 Nothing But The Blood [electronic/rock/hymn remix]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download