Beyond Sunday Worship

Worship Podcast

Top 10 Ways to Write Bad Worship Songs

Bob Kauflin:

1. Aim to write the next worldwide worship hit.
2. Spend all your time working on the music, not the words.
3. Spend all your time working on the words, not the music.
4. Don’t consider the range and capabilities of the average human voice.
5. Never let anyone alter the way God originally gave your song to you.
6. Make sure the majority of your songs talk about what we do and feel rather than who God is and what he’s done.
7. Try to use as many Scriptural phrases as you can, and don’t worry about how they fit together.
8. Cover as many themes as possible.
9. Use phrases and words that are included in 95% of all worship songs.
10. Forget about Jesus and what he accomplished at the cross.

Song Story – "When All is Lost"

Through my battle with dermatomyositis, this is a song that placed air in my lungs when I could barely breathe (figuratively, that is). Not because it’s such a well crafted song, but because the Scriptures are truly life-giving. I needed a song that voiced these truths for me, even though I was too weak to sing it.

Hebrews has always been one of my favorite books, due to its glorification and vivid description of Jesus as our high priest. There is nothing we face on this earth that causes Jesus to spill His coffee and fall off his throne. I have been on the verge of despair many times, but the truth that we “do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weakness, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet with out sin” (Heb. 4:15), can keep the most depressed soul afloat – mine included.

Oh, where would I be without the Savior Jesus who intercedes for me!

The verses of this song speak of human weakness and God’s strength. The chorus is a cry to draw near to God with lines taken directly from Scripture (I hope the writer of Hebrews isn’t upset with me in Heaven!).

This is what we must do in times of pain and times of joy – always draw near to our God who loves us and carries our burdens. My heart seems to return to the truth of this song and these scriptures quite often because I’m so prone to forget!

My challenge to you today is this: feed your soul with the rock-solid Truth of Scripture. Don’t just read it like you read a good novel or watch a good movie. Hang on every word. Apply it to your darkest circumstances. Believe it till your last, dying breath. God’s Word will never let you down.

When all is lost
When all seems broken
I tell myself that You are worthy
There is no pain
There is no struggle
You have not felt and cannot conquer

We have this great High Priest
Jesus, the righteous Son of God
We have this Sovereign King
Who’s given us access to His throne

So let us draw near with hearts of faith
To find all we need at the throne of grace
Let us draw near to God
Let us draw near to His heart

When my heart is weak
No song seems to surface
I stir up my soul to bow in worship
There is no time
No season, no suffering
Where You are no longer worth my offering

We will draw near
We will draw near to You, O Lord
We will draw near
Press into knowing You, Jesus

Song Story – "Rising Glory"

As you may have noticed, the word ‘glory’ shows up quite a bit throughout this album. Glory is one of my favorite words when relating to God. Though it will never describe the fullness of his countenance, it gives vivid description here on earth.

Habakkuk declares,

“For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (2:14).

One of the key visions of this album and of my music is to awaken a passion for the glory of God. Habbakuk also mentions in 2:3,

“Write the vision; make it plain on tablets so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end – it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.”

What is the vision? The vision is the glory of God filling the earth as the waters cover the sea. I have tried my best to make it plain and do what I can in drawing attention to His greatness. As the song says, this is the hour for the church of Jesus to raise the banner. We must rise up and give our lives for Christ’s glory.

What are you contributing?

Let the nations come to see Your rising glory
Let every heart be satisfied as they glimpse your beauty
Let the worshipers come forth and take their rightful place
Calling out across the earth, “This is the day of praise”

Jesus, make us holy
Savior, inspire a passion for what is worthy

As the waters cover the sea
Let the earth be filled with Your glory

Let the broken be made whole
Let the weakened souls be strong
Let the fearful ones take heart
Let the prodigals come home
Let righteousness prevail in our homes and churches
Help us run this holy race with perseverance

This is the hour for the church of Jesus to raise the banner
For what we believe to really matter
To see Your glory rise
How can we say we follow with heart set on earthly idols?
It’s time to lift our vision higher
To see Your glory rise

The Most Influential Worship Leaders in My Life

Throughout our lives we all have people who directly or indirectly influence us and help us become who we are today.

With the release of my first album, I am incredibly grateful for a few worship leaders who taught me so much about music, spontaneity, prophetic ministry, songwriting, theology, and much more. I have not only listened to worship music over the years, but have been a complete nerd when it comes to them – studying the musicians, producers, songs, artwork, ministries, and fill in the blank.

Following is a list of the most influential worship leaders in my life and why they are special:

David Ruis – this amazing Vineyard worship leader has taught me so much. Vineyard worship in general was very formative in my journey – intimate, prophetic, passion for the presence of God. In the early days David wrote songs like ‘You Are Worthy of My Praise’, ‘We Will Dance’, and ‘Let Your Glory Fall’. More recently he has taken a tremendous departure into prophetic, intercessory electronica. I was once at a conference where he opened his worship set, reading and singing a scripture. He always has a Bible with him. Prophetic, creative, weird, and powerful.

Matt Redman – Matt has taught me so much about songwriting. He is able to say the most profound truth in the fewest words. Along with his unbelievable songwriting, he has a very humble disposition when leading worship. He is not flashy, but simple and God-directing.

Reuben Morgan – Melody and simplicity. Wow. Reuben’s songs are much more well known than himself. His songs are very singable, the melodies are incredibly stirring, and the content is awesome. My recent favorite is “Stronger” off the new Hillsong “This is Our God” album.

Brian Doerksen – Not only are Brian’s songs outstanding, he delivers them in a way you can feel. I get the sense that he feels Scripture and truth deeply. He has taught me how to connect my brokenness to the Father heart of God. I think my obsession with speaking scripture also comes from Brian.

Lindell Cooley – My life was changed during the Brownsville Revival. I never experienced the presence of God like that and never experienced worship like I did with Lindell. Incredibly prophetic, passionate, and spontaneous. He led worship like a desperate, wild man. I guess that’s a good thing.

Delirious – The band that introduced a whole new style of worship. These guys seemed to carry a song for my generation that really led us to run hard after God. History Maker, anyone?

Who are your biggest influencers?