Craft, Expression, and Connection: Reflections on Anabaptist Songwriting

by Nichelle Bauman

In every worship service I have been a part of, from my home Mennonite congregation to large contemporary worship events to Catholic mass at my children’s school, music is used as a tool. We use songs as praise, confession, affirmation, lament, prayer, or to set a tone or theme. Music is deeply embedded in our liturgies.

In May, I participated in the Anabaptist Songwriters’ Retreat. What a rich weekend of worship and learning! Among the participants, there was a clear shared  love of Christ and of worship, and yet incredible diversity. It was beautifully humbling to see the desire of these songwriters to serve the church, and to be a prophetic voice in the church.  As the worship gatherings, workshops, sharing and writing sessions unfolded, I was able to see in new and deeper ways how worship music is a tool, expression, experience, and connection.

I see three main ways that music functions in worship: as a craft, an opportunity for expression, and a form of connection. I experienced these facets of music in worship even more keenly during the retreat.

Music as Craft 

         At the retreat, one of the workshops discussed the craftsmanship of songwriting: becoming a craftsman songwriter, honing the skill of writing strong melodies and powerful, impactful lyrics, and being disciplined in the work of it. This was a new idea for me as a recreational songwriter. Yet it was undeniable— the church needs well-crafted songs in its repertoire. After all, these songs are tools and they need to be effective. During the collaborative writing sessions that were a part of the retreat, I got to learn how to craft a song fit for congregational use. Some of the questions that arose as we worked were:

•   Is the language appropriate for the tone we are trying to set? For the people who will be singing it?

•   Are there words or imagery that could be problematic for some?

•   What message are we trying to convey?

•   How does the music support the message?

I worked with 2 different groups of songwriters in collaborative sessions, and in each case, the work was creative, yes, but incredibly intentional. Intentionality went into writing every syllable and note. We discussed whether a note would rise or lower in pitch to convey a particular feeling, when to add harmonies, and the overall structure of the song. During the writing of “Hope is Ringing Out”, we decided to give the pre-chorus a half-time feel to differentiate it from the feel of the verse. This half time feel emphasizes the lyrics, which explicitly identify Jesus as our source of hope (you can hear that change at 0:46 in this video of the song). In another group session, we threw out phrases and words to each other in order to see if they fit the meter and phrasing, but more importantly, to hear from each other how those words and phrases are received and interpreted. This is a huge advantage of songwriting collaboratively because then it’s not just one worldview that is being expressed in the song, it’s a collective worldview, and hopefully relatable and accessible for a wider audience, making it an effective tool for congregational use.

Music as Expression

         Music is also used in worship as an expression. We express our worship of God through singing words and melodies that communicate our beliefs, feelings and desires. We express our praise for a good God who provides, we express our desire for God’s peace in a troubled world. Worship music can be the expression of our interaction with God and others, a confession of our faith and declaration of what we hold in our souls. I feel most connected with God when I’m alone, sitting at a piano, singing my heart out. It’s a vulnerable and honest space for me, and despite the brokenness I often bring to that space, God feels very near. I’ve tasted God’s grace, peace, joy and love in that space, as a result of that expression.

         The songwriting circles at the retreat were a beautiful display of music as expression. Songs shared with almost strangers, yet cherished for what they were: an offering to God and to the group. And we bring these same song-offerings to God when we sing as a church. Do we sometimes forget in congregational settings that each song is an opportunity for expression? For if we truly choose to engage with the song and take on the lyrics as our own, it becomes an offering.

Music as Connection

  Lastly, worship music offers a way to connect with God. We offer our praise, lament, petitions, and prayers in song not because God needs it, but because God wants us connected. God is love, and love connects. Worship music can be a medium for this relationship to come alive, where expression and experience exist. How many times have I sung “Great is Thy Faithfulness” as praise, and then feel my spirit flood with God’s assurance that I’m loved and cared for? Worship music connects us with God. Furthermore, as we join our voices together in song, there is, by default, a connection with others. It’s as simple as that. People from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences, with diverse opinions, from diverse places can connect in a song. At the songwriting retreat, this was true. There was a holy connection as we raised our voices together. Part of me changed because of it, and I think that the church needs that holy connection, the transformative power of being unified in Christ.

         After participating in the songwriting retreat, I felt so encouraged. There are songwriters in our churches that have beautiful, humble hearts for Christ. They are people who listen— to the world around them and to the still, quiet voice of God, and desire to share what they’ve heard with the church. It gives me joy to know that we have people writing music within our congregations, giving the local church a tool that allows people to express and experience a relationship with God in language that fits that particular church for a particular season. What a gift for the church!

Nichelle Bauman is wife and mom of two, who lives in rural Ontario where she enjoys gardening and hiking. She is regularly involved at Floradale Mennonite as a musician and song leader. As a songwriter, she finds joy in expressing her faith and sharing her love of Jesus through music.