Q and A about Writing Worship Songs on the New Album
- Jered Mckenna
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
First of all, feel free to grab my free hymnal I made. Hope it serves you well!
Q: What’s the most challenging part of writing songs?
A: The music itself tends to be the hardest part. It’s tough figuring out what chord comes next or whether a melody has already been used. Lyrics often come more naturally—especially for those who’ve loved words from an early age, writing poems about clouds and angels, or discovering the rich literary textures in scripture.
Q: Why do lyrics come more naturally?
A: There's a deep love of language—reading poetry, writing it, and recognizing the poetic beauty embedded in scripture. It's about living the literary life.
Q: What's the hardest part for someone else in the process?
A: Facing a blank canvas. Sometimes inspiration jumps out, other times you’re just staring at the page. It helps to approach it like reading scripture—waiting for something to leap off the page. If it doesn’t, it’s better to move on and return later. Melodies are the same: if they don’t reveal themselves naturally, it’s best to step back and try something different.
Q: Is songwriting more like discovery than invention?
A: Absolutely. It’s like chiseling away at marble—the song is already there; it’s just waiting to be uncovered.
Q: What parts of scripture have been most inspiring lately?
A: Isaiah has been full of surprises. There’s something poetic and compelling in it that’s hard to put into words. Psalms, too, are always rich with material—though they’ve been used a lot, there’s always room for fresh expression. Proverbs is another great source. Narrative sections, like in Matthew, are more difficult to adapt because they require the songwriter to become the poet, rather than simply channeling one.
Q: How long does it typically take to write a song like “Let All the People Say Amen”?
A: That one came quickly. The phrase practically leapt off the page—almost sang itself. Once the rhythm was clear, the rest followed naturally. The lyrics and music came together at the same time, shaped by the pulse of the phrase and the structure of the scripture.
Q: Who’s contributing to the album?
A: Many longtime collaborators are being invited to contribute—musicians whose voices bring something unique to the table. Every player speaks a different musical language, and the goal is to honor that by including as many voices as possible. That said, production and engineering are being handled in-house, with flexibility to fill in wherever needed.
Q: What’s most exciting about this project?
A: New music rooted in scripture that people can sing together. There’s nothing like that kind of collaboration—sharing something sacred with others and feeling like a true part of the team. Even those without much musical experience feel like they’re being welcomed into something joyful and meaningful.
Q: Are musical influences strictly from worship or Christian genres?
A: Not at all. While Christian artists are incredibly inspiring, there’s also a lot of influence drawn from secular musicians like James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, and Bonnie Raitt. There's something spiritual and transcendent in the music of these artists—something that feels like common grace. The idea is to tap into that spirit, letting the music be a vessel for something divine.
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