As you review the music afterward, ask:* Did the congregation sing well?* Was the Word proclaimed?* Was it honoring to the Lord?

Take liberties with style only where the congregation is confident in singing that song, so that what you are doing adds to, rather than detracts from, their ability to sing and enjoyment of it.

Sing to God and to those around you (or, if you're on stage, in front of you).

First lines are particularly important as they draw people in and help unlock the whole song. Last lines are also important, driving people toward a big vision or challenge of commitment or expression of praise. We are looking for delightful phrases, little twists on things we have heard before, both freshness and familiarity, easily understood but engaging.

One of the challenges in songwriting is aiming to inspire response through revelation and not tell or describe to people how to feel. Just as a joke only works if you don't have to tell a listener that it's funny, so it's much more effective to fill your verses and choruses about God than to tell people how to feel about Him.

John Newton, in the preface of one of his hymn collections published in 1779, wrote of those he was writing songs for that 'while my hand can write, and my tongue speak, it will be the business and pleasure of my life, to aim at promoting their growth and establishment in the grace of our God and Savior.

We sing because we're created to, commanded to, and compelled to.

There are ultimately no neutral lyrics. All songs share a message about how we should view the world.

Your voice may not be of professional standard, but it is of confessional standard.