#6: Music Ministry And The Music Industry: An Interview With Craig Dunnagan [Podcast]

What if you could ask any question to a leader in the worship music industry with a passion for music ministry?

In today’s podcast, I chat with Craig Dunnagan. And that’s exactly what I did.

Craig is the VP of Music Publishing and Ministry Alliances at Integrity Music/David C. Cook. He’s also one of the co-founders of worshiptogether.com.

In our conversation we cover a lot of ground. From songwriting to the music industry to leading and loving people in the local church, Craig had some great ideas to share.

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Highlights From The Episode 

Types of Songwriters

1. The Psalmist – pastoral, leadership in the local church
2. Carriers of Songs – vocal talent, but maybe not the heart of a pastor
3. Prophetic Voices – United Pursuit, IHOP

• Raise up others to multiply your impact on the world
• Know your place and what God has equipped you to do
• Don’t write good songs or even great songs. Write transformational songs.

Practical Songwriting Tips

1. Simple – keep it simple, but simplicity doesn’t always mean that a song is great. Simplicity sometimes means that it’s not skillfully done.
2. Accesible – musical accessibility for a church to accomplish it
3. Memorable – is the song unique in the way it presents Biblical truth?

The Path to Getting Your Songs Heard

1. Make sure your songs are finished lyrically and melodically
2. Create a great, appropriate demo
3. Put it out there (YouTube, SongDiscovery, Worship Leader Magazine, Noisetrade, Facebook)

• Don’t emulate what others are doing. Hear from God about how to reflect your creativity in your church environment. What’s the little distinctive that will help my church and my people?
• Whatever touches your people is bound to touch other people

Types of Songs

1. Songs of Truth (the Word)
2. Songs of Response (emotional)
3. Songs of Prayer (songs birthed from our prayer closets)

• The songs you sing are not just for you to enjoy, or simply be innovative. Think about the people in the pews.
• If we get caught up in our creativity instead of our calling to bless God’s people, we’re missing the point.
• Think about the people we’re leading, not just the ministries we’re leading

Episode Resources

• iWorship videos
• Darlene Zschech’s Revealing Jesus
• Worship Central’s Let it Be Known

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Your Feedback

If you have an idea for a podcast you would like to see, a special guest you’d like to hear from, or a question for an upcoming episode, please email me.

If you enjoyed the show, I would be so appreciative if you would rate it on iTunes and write a brief review. That helps me so much! Thanks.

Question: What was your biggest takeaway from this episode with Craig? You can leave a comment by clicking here.