An interview with Andy Park. Andy answers questions about turning an initial burst of inspiration into a song as well as exhorting worship leaders to remember that our role is a privilege.
How do you, as a songwriter, turn an initial idea into a corporate worship song?
Turning an initial burst of inspiration into a song requires writing
and rewriting, along with hard work, commitment, perseverance, and
a willingness to make mistakes. It’s not uncommon for me to have
fifteen or twenty pages of scribbles and notes for one song. It can
take weeks or even months to get it right. Even now, I’m working on a
song that is probably ninety-five percent done, but it’s still tedious
because I’m sweating it out. Wimber told me it would be like that:
“Songwriting is tenpercent inspiration and ninety-percent
perspiration.” He was right.
A great songwriter is willing to learn through trial and error. For
example, I did the song We Exalt Your Name once or twice in church but
I didn’t really like the chorus. So I put the song down for a whole
year until I wrote a new chorus. Only then was the song finally done.
As a seasoned worship leader, do you have any words of wisdom for an
emerging worship leader? Anything they should bear in mind as they take
a greater role in their church or small group?
Worship leading is a privilege, and that’s something I am constantly
reminding myself of. During my last recording project, I kept
thinking to myself: “Why do I get to do this? It’s amazing.”
We should always be thankful for the opportunity, whether it’s eight
people gathering for an 8 a.m. prayer meeting, or eight hundred people
at a conference. We are never entitled to anything – the platform is
not our “turf.” It’s something that belongs to God, and we should
always look for ways to share it.
Being teachable is another important asset. Grow where you’re planted;
serve in the church. Emotional passion comes and goes, so long-term
commitment is vital. Don’t let the ministry become more important than
God. If you’re anything like me, you can find yourself working
really, really hard to be successful. All of a sudden, I realize that
I’m a little out of whack—I’m putting way too much energy into turning
out a product. I just need to be a friend of God, loving my wife and
loving my kids.
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I am so very blessed and grateful to be able to make a living by using my gifts as a Worship Leader. I appreciate this article for helping me to remember that indeed, it is a privilege!!
Amen Brother !! Could not agree more! We are truly “blessed” !!
Being teachable is so crucial. There is always room for growth and being humble in order to realize there is always something new or a new way to learn something is so important to team dynamics.
Read this again and love that last paragraph!
“Don’t worship the worship.” I can’t believe I have to remind myself of this, but its true. I’ve done it myslef and observed it in many well meaning leaders. We become so enamored with the ministry itself that we forget that were are in a relationship with God. I find it very easy to feed my ego through ministry exploits…
How can I call myself a “good” worship leader if I’m not in good relationship with my husband and son, friends or God? And yet how many weeks do I try to do this?