by Dean Mitchum | Apr 14, 2023 | Uncategorized
If you have a song idea don’t limit it to one song. You may be able to write several songs from that one idea.
I’ll show you three questions to ask yourself and if you take the time to answer these questions you end up with more songs than you thought and deepen your songwriting well.
Together, with my wife Lisa, we’ve written over 100 songs and many of those were written about the same subject but expressed in different ways.
For example, the fact that the veil was rent and removed brought freedom to me so my theme was freedom. At least three of my sings were written about the veil being removed and the freedom, boldness, and new things that it brought.
Those three are Rocking’ In the Holy of Holies, I Wanna Praise You, and The Veil Is Gone. The links to these songs are down below if you’d like to hear them.
As you may have guessed, Rockin’ In the Holy of Holies is an fun old-time fast rock style that declared “Rockin in the Holy of Holies/ Now that the veil is gone/ Dancing around with the King of Kings/ Celebration’ ‘round the throne,”
I Wanna Praise You is a soulful medium tempo song that declared. “I wanna praise You/ With a new song/ While we’re doing a new thing.”
The Veil is Gone is a slow powerful declaration that says “The veil is gone/ And I am free before my King/ The veil is gone/ I will love my voice and sing/ The veil is gone/ It’s forever striped away/ I will worship boldly / And I’ll freely dance before You/ The veil is gone/ The veil is gone.”
So looking back, these songs were about the same main point but expressed in three different ways of theme, angle, and tempo.
Let’s look at these three areas that will help you in writing more songs than you thought.
Three Questions To Ask Yourself
Regarding Theme
When you have a scripture or an idea to write about ask yourself this question. “What is the main point and what are the subpoints? The veil being rent was the main point and the subpoints were celebration, boldness, and freedom.
Regarding Angle
Who is singing this song? Is it an I, we, or even a third person song? Is it from God, to God, or about God? These questions will cause us to think of different messages and subpoints to write from or about.
For example, my song Open Up The Gates was written from the angle of the gate keepers from Ps. 24:7-10. (Link below)
Tempo
What would this message sound like as a slow, medium, or fast tempo? Would the tempo change the lyrics or feel? You can write three different songs from that one question alone.
Summary
Every songwriter can be more productive when you don’t limit your songs to one per idea or revelation. At minimum, you could have three different songs by answering these questions and considering these points. Theme, angle, tempo.
Action Items
- Choose one scripture or idea you’ve had and jot down three points to write about.
- Write down three different angles you could write from.
- Experiment with three different tempos to see what comes from this exercise.
So, there you have it. Three ways to help you write several songs from one idea.
Remember when posed with a question the mind goes to work. And every songwriter can deepen their songwriting well.
Song Links
To hear these songs, you can listen to this podcast episode here or follow these links.
by Dean Mitchum | Jul 5, 2022 | Uncategorized
If you feel like you haven’t quite got a handle on prophetic worship, then this article will help you do that. I’m going to give you the Prophetic Worship Framework so you can understand how it works.
If you understand, then you can prepare… if you can prepare, then you can flow… if you can flow, then you can experience and participate in the transforming power of the voice of the Lord during worship.
The Preparation and The Flow
Understanding The Role.
The role of a prophetic worship leader is to lead songs, bring the congregation in tune with The Spirit of God – to a place of transformation, and respond to what The Lord and the leadership is desiring.
Here’s an example: One service we started out with a song called ‘I thank God’ by Maverick City. We stayed on that song until about an hour and a half into the service. Apostle Tom ended up not even preaching. We worshipped straight for two hours. It was an incredible encounter with God that had interaction with pastors, congregation leaders, elders, the worship team etc.
The point is… we didn’t need to change songs bur we did need to respond and keep flowing.
The flow is much easier when you understand what to expect and how to respond.
Three Key Points for Preparation:
Scripture, Skill, and Spirit combine for a powerful prophetic flow.
#1 Scripture
Know the Word of The Lord. Know what Scripture says about prophetic praise and worship, that all can prophesy one by one. Know that you can sing by The Spirit and with understanding, and that prophetic songs were taught and instructed by King David in His tabernacle.
When you fill your quiver with the Word it comes back easily during worship.
#2 Skill
Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs…” Psalm 33:3 “Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.”
Playing and singing are skills that can be developed to the point you can minister. A quick definition of skill for me is: ‘To be able to perform without causing distraction’.
Another skill necessary is the ability to flow spontaneously, which requires planning and preparation! I.e., How do we go into prophetic flow? What chords are we going to play? How are we going to end?
#3 Spirit
Ephesians 5:18-19 “Do not be drunk with wine… but be filled with The Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs…”.
Psalms are Scripture put to music.
Hymns are words that we come up with about the Word, or about The Lord and put to music.
Spiritual songs are songs that are unrehearsed or spontaneous, that occur during the service… they’re prophetic songs and spiritual songs, that are delivered in a spontaneous way.
You want to be able to follow in The Spirit. So, what does that look like? We, as prophetic people, attentive in the moment to what God or our leadership is saying to us and responding to it.
Recap: Preparation; three key points are Scripture, Skill, and Spirit… All of which can be practiced before service to be developed before you need them.
The providence of the prophetic is when you take time to provide for future use of what God wants to do.
If you really want to be trained as a partner in prophetic worship breakthrough, then I encourage you to check out our Prophetic Worship School. You can get trained in a six-week online certification program and emerge with authority and confidence as a prophetic worshiper. Go here for more Prophetic Worship Training information and details.
Three Key Points for Great Flow
List, Launch and Land combine for a powerful prophetic flow.
#1 List
Start with a list that becomes your plan / guide, (always have more songs on your list than needed).
Flow by the Spirit as to which songs are best for that day, (you don’t have to get to every song on your list).
The goal is to accomplish the will of The Lord and to bring people into that transformational process.
Scripture say’s (Prov 19:21) ‘many are the plans in a man’s heart, but the Lord’s purpose still prevails’. And I say ‘many are the songs in a worship leaders list, but the Lord’s purpose still prevails’.
#2 Launch
Launch out in response to the Lord and/or leadership.
You can respond with a spontaneous song. I.e., have you ever heard a prophetic word and a phrase just stood out or came alive to you? That’s the part you get ahold of and begin to sing and declare the word of The Lord and flow.
You can also play prophetic music and prophesy on the instruments and then allow God to speak to you (Remember to let the people know you are prophesying).
You can also go back to one of the songs on your list… Maybe the last chorus or bridge or go on to the next song. But you launch in response to what God is doing.
#3 Land
You land the ending. When you release the prophetic song, it goes out and then it’s done. When it’s executed properly you have a sense of completion, and you move on to the next song.
Why is this important? Because we want to use all the tools that The Lord has put at our disposal to operate within the planning as designed, because He knows what’s best for His people and for His kingdom.
Recap: Flow; three key points are List, Launch and Land. Start with a list, then respond by launching in the prophetic flow, then land the ending.
Here’s the action item: Describe your outlook towards the next worship service you’re going to lead. Are you expecting God to move? Are you expecting your leaders to minister during that time? Are you expecting to hear from God? And if you are how will you respond? Start with your list, be ready to launch and then land.
In summary, let’s look at the framework. It’s simple: Preparation, and flow. Preparation has scripture, skill, and spirit as our focus. Flow has list, launch and land as our focus.
If you prepare, every worship leader can flow with authority and competence as a prophetic worship leader and partner with your leaders for spiritual breakthrough.
If you want to take the next step in your ministry training and calling, check out the ‘Creative Worship Leader Coaching’ program. It’s six months of deep level one on one coaching, where we coach you in worship, leading skill development, leadership, and songwriting. We teach you how to harness your creativity so you can experience divine fulfillment.
Visit our Creative Worship Leaders Coaching Program.
by Dean Mitchum | Apr 21, 2022 | Uncategorized
This is it. That which you’ve been expecting and longing for is here. The answer to your riddle, the solution to your problem, the change that you’ve been desperately needing is now here. Recognize it.
Reformation is doing and transformation is being. Reformation is what I do and transformation is who I am.
Reformation relates to times, seasons, and purposes. Transformation relates to people, cities, and nations.
For This Reason, Season, Purpose
1 John 3:8 For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.
This verse shows and identity and mission. Jesus, the Son of God, destroying the works off the devil, purpose. Reformation and transformation, identity and mission.
This is the season for you to be who you’re supposed to be and to do what you’re supposed to do.
Why does God need you to recognize your season of reformation and transformation? Because He is doing a new thing and wants you to partner with Him.
Isa. 43:19 declares that God is doing new thing. See and perceive are both directives in the scripture for us to recognize who He is doing. Recognize that we have a role in God’s plans.
Colossians 1:26 tells us that the divine mystery is now being revealed. Recognize it and partner with God.
Partner with God for Reformation
Within the global apostolic reformation is a worship reformation. Rev. 21:3 tells us to behold, look, and see, that the Tabernacle of God is with man.
This is the reformation of worship. To move from David’s tabernacle to God’s tabernacle.
God’s is calling forth His partners like the army of stars in sky, by name. Isaiah 40:26
To discover His Glory in a new way. To see what we haven’t seen before. Prov. 25:2
Partner With God by Elevating Your Praise.
At one time, Bishop Hamon asked to see what the praise from man gives God that praise form angels does not give him.
I came up with two examples. Praise from man gives God appreciation through the song of the redeemed and praise from man gives God access to His kingdom on earth.
As believers we get to sing a song that the angels cannot sing. The song of the redeemed. The salvation song of God’s love. Ps. 40:2.
As Bill Johnson of Redding tells us, there is a song of worship that we can only offer this side of heaven. A song of praise in the midst of pain. I call it a song of trust.
Both of these songs are beautiful in the offering but God also has songs for us to sing that elevate our praise.
That is the song of authority and the song of victory. When we worship according to Ps. 22:3, we actually give God access to His kingdom here on earth. He inhabits our praise.
We also enforce the power of God’s victories through the weapon of praise. Ps. 8:2.
We partner with God for reformation when we elevate praise by including songs of authority and victory along with our songs of redemption and trust.
Partner With God by Elevating Our Victories.
David went from killing a lion and a bear, to killing a giant. He won personal battles so he could trust God to win national battles. The elevation of victories was David’s way of partnering with God.
David killed both the lion and the bear to protect, but he killed the giant to defeat the enemy and clear the way for great victories.
He shut the mouth of the lion, broke the claw of the bear, and silenced the words of the giant.
This is your season of elevation of victories in order to partner with God’s reformation.
Partner With God for Transformation
There is a double portion when you combine doing and being. Being and doing. Reformation and transformation.
Elisha pursued Elijah so that he would get the double portion.
He followed him through Bethel where God changed theme of Jacob to Israel. God spoke to the identity of Jacob and brought him transformation through his name change. It was time for Jacob to become Israel.
Elisha followed Elijah through Jericho, the city of Benjamin. God also changed the identity of Benjamin through his father. His mother to called him Benoni but his father intervened and called him Benjamin. From som of my sorrow to son of my right hand.
When God speak to who you are it effects what you do. Let God bring you a new identity today.
Recognize your season of reformation and transformation. Partner with God for his plans of reformation and transformation.
Write your decree of reformation and transformation. Write your declaration of identity and statement of mission.
For this reason/season was “” made manifest, that they might “___.”
God has promised every believer reformation and transformation.
We will see God in a new way through this season. We will see a greater recognition of Him for who He is and what He does, who we area and what we do.
Recognize your season of reformation and transformation. This is it!
by Dean Mitchum | Apr 14, 2022 | Uncategorized
If you are not engaging in the powerful ministry of instrumental prophecy it could be because you’re not quite sure of its purpose or role in the service.
Or, it could be that you’ve been listening to the lies of the enemy accusing you of being prideful and drawing attention to yourself. And that keeps your from releasing the impact of your anointing.
In this article we’re going give you three powerful keys to go beyond the solo and into playing prophetically.
These three keys are drawn from the prophetic worship framework where we combine scripture, skill, and spirit, into a powerful prophetic flow.
Plus we’ll have an activation at the end to help you gain confidence and sense the flow.
Communication Through Sound
Sound has always been a method of communication and instruments have always been tools of communication and ministry in the bible.
The trumpet has been used to sound warning, call to war, summoning for meeting, as well as celebration. The harp has always had a place in worship, warfare, and ministry.
With musical sound being so important in communication why is it that we don’t embrace this powerful ministry of instrumental prophecy more often?
I believe there are at least two reasons why we don’t. One is lack of understanding and the second is the lies of the enemy.
Lack of understanding causes us to honestly ask the question of why we would just listen to someone play a solo? When worship is a participatory event, doesn’t this cause disengagement? If it is overdone, it can. If it’s purpose has not been taught to the congregation, it can.
When we understand the purpose of instrumental prophecy, we ask this question instead. “What is this person releasing or saying through their playing right now?” It could healing, deliverance, victory, many other messages or ministry. Instrumental prophecy can minister to each believer in a different way and every believer can receive ministry if they are expecting it.
The lies of the devil are his ancient tools. The enemy knows the power of instrumental prophecy and wants to stop it. He tries to stop it through accusations of pride and drawing attention to yourself. Especially if you’re being really good at playing an instrument you were accused of showing off.
So, many people, for fear of being prideful and selfish, have diminished the power of their gift by not using it.
When I was a young man people used to tell me that my playing was so anointed. I didn’t quite understand it but I believed it. All knew is that I had a desire to play. Almost a burden to play.
As I was preparing for a service one evening, I began to practice the keyboard. Someone walked over to me and said, “Man I just feel the anointing.” I wondered to myself, “I’m just playing a few chords how can that be anointed?”
That was when I learned the anointing of the person and not the instrument. That was when I began to understand the anointing and power of instrumental prophecy.
Your desire to play a solo is God placing a demand on the gift he’s placed in you. Your desire to play well is wanting to represent God and his kingdom well.
It is not prideful or drawing attention to yourself so go ahead and play. Play with all your might as David did. Shut the mouth of the enemy with your playing. Play before the Lord.
Instrumental prophecy is using the sound of music to express the heart, mind, and ministry of God. There is a place and a time for it. Instrumental prophecy is one of the three expression of a psalmist. They are playing, singing, and writing.
Three Keys to Releasing Instrumental Prophecy
Three powerful keys to releasing instrumental prophecy are authority, delivery, and accuracy. Scripture gives us the authority. Skill give us the delivery, and the Spirt gives accuracy.
Prophetic songs can be likened unto arrows. We pull then from our quiver at the time we need them. The arrow head is like scripture which gives us sharpness and penetration. The feathers are like the Spirit which gives us the accuracy to hit the target. The shaft connects the arrow to the feathers and is like our skill. The ability to play.
We must link the word and spirit though our playing. Without playing the word or the spirit is not delivered. Faith without works is dead. Therefore play.
- Scripture Gives Authority
In 1. Chronicles 25.1-2, King David established priests who would prophesy on the instruments by the order of the king. The King calls for our playing.
According to 2 Kings 3:15 the Prophet Elisha needed prophetic music. The prophet calls for our playing.
In Ps. 49:4 King David instructed that playing unlocks revelation. We initiate prophetic flow when we play.
Scripture give us the authority to prophesy on the instruments.
- Skill Give Us Delivery
By what standard to we determine skill? I define skill as the ability to perform without causing distraction.
We develop our skill by learning, practicing, and playing. Develop your skill by becoming confident in chords and scales. Every key has a simple major scale. So learn the chords and scales for the most used keys.
Practice your skill. The reason we practice is so the congregation can worship without distraction. The reason we practice the prophetic is so we can flow without distraction.
Practice in several keys so you can launch from any song during your worship set.
Play with the power of simplicity. Trust the Holy Spirit to do His Job. If music is anointed from God, and it is, then over playing does not increase the anointing. Faith and obedience, along with purposeful playing releases the anointing.
By the way, if you find music theory confusing, if you have a hard time communicating with musicians, then I recommend you take my Music Theory Simplified Course. I clearly explain six topics that take the mystery out of music theory. It will help you understand chords and scales and move from intimidation to confidence.
- The Spirit Gives us Accuracy
Accuracy is timing and target of our instrumental prophesy. The when and where of playing prophetically.
Most often in a corporate worship setting you’ll respond to what God is doing through one of the pastors or leaders, or to what God is telling you.
Sometimes at the end of a song, I’ll begin to play on the keyboard. Our Pastors will later interpret what I am playing or they will follow the Holy Spirit in ministry that is being released and they call for altar ministry.
Sometimes I will tell the congregation what I believe God is doing during the flow. You’ll need to coordinator with your leadership for this to occur without chaos.
Trust the Holy Spirit. Trust the Voice of The Lord and partner with Him.
APPLY NOW FOR OUR PROPHETIC WORSHIP SCHOOL
Application is now open for our Summer and Fall semesters starting in June and September.
CI Prophetic Worship School is our six-week online certification program where you’ll be taught by Bishop Bill Hamon, Apostles Tom and Jane Hamon, and me.
We’ll spend six weeks on transformational training, powerful activations, and strategic coaching. This course will have you flowing in authority as a confident prophetic worship leader.
Text the word FLOW to 33777 or visit prophetic worship school.
This course is not only for worship leaders but pastors, prophets, songwriters, or team members who want to learn to flow as a powerful prophetic leadership team.
Activations
Here are four practices that you can do right away. They’ll help you activate your faith and increase your confidence to sense what God is doing.
- Play then pray. Take a moment and simply play your instrument. Once you play a few measures stop and ask the Lord what is happening.
- Pray then play. Before you play ask the Lord what you are releasing,
- Play then Ask. Ask someone to listen to you play.. Then ask them what they heard or receiving from your playing.
- Ask then play. Ask someone to tell you what God is releasing then play that release on your instrument. Learn to trust the Holy Spirit
Summary
So, in review, the three keys to releasing the anointing of instrumental prophecy are authority, delivery, and accuracy. Scripture gives us authority. Skill gives us delivery and the Spirit gives us accuracy,
Now you know the purpose and role of prophetic playing and how to shut the mouth of the devil by playing!
Play with all your might! Partner with God through music because every musician can experience being used by God.
by Dean Mitchum | Mar 18, 2022 | Uncategorized
If you feel like you’re starting over every time you want to flow in prophetic worship then this email will show you how practicing the prophetic will propel that
worship flow and help you experience seamless prophetic transitions during worship.
Practicing the prophetic is similar to practicing for worship songs. You learn the parts so you can learn the whole. We practice our songs so we can move
into the ministry of worship.
I teach my worship team that the reason we practice is so the congregation can worship without distraction. So the reason we practice the prophetic is so we
can flow without distraction.
What happens we we practice the prophetic? When expectations are clear it’s easier to flow. When its easier to flow we have more confidence. When we are confident the transitions are more seamless. When the transition are seamless we move beyond the skill and into the Spirit, the prophetic flow.
When it comes to the prophetic worship flow I use what I call the Prophetic Worship Framework. That is combining scripture, skill, and spirit into a powerful flow. Learn the scripture and develop your skill so you can flow in the spirit with confidence.
When it comes to practicing prophetic worship, clarity is empowering so I use this simple three-word flow. List, launch, land. I call it the L-evator.
How do you practice the prophetic? You practice the skill of spontaneity. This will allow your tongue to become the pen of a ready writer. (Ps. 45:1) Spontaneity can be described as a willingness to free flow.
Six Practice Steps
- Keep the music moving Ps. 49:4 says that we can open up the dark saying upon the heart.so at the end of the song continue the musical flow of chords from a section. This becomes a foundation for songs to flow.
- Rephrase some words of the song. For example, If I’m singing I Thank God I would continue in that thought by rephrasing thankfulness.
- Move into open praise. This is where you don’t limit the subject to the last song.
- Hear, see and obey. Look to see, listen to hear what God is saying now.
- Launch or release your prophetic song. Launch into a new song and allow the prophetic anointing to flow from you.
- Land your song. Transition back to chorus, end your singing or playing, or go to the next song.
Praise and flow, hear and play, see and sing. You’re expressing the heart and mind of God.
Apply Now For Our Prophetic Worship School Spring Semester
Class starts Monday, April 4th, 2022. Apply online for the Prophetic Worship Training or text the word FLOW to 33777 for more information.
Action Items
Practice these six steps alone.
Practice them with your team before going to the congregation.
David killed the lion and bear then went on to Goliath. He won private battles before his public victories.
Summary
Not every song has a flow at the end but every song could, so make room for every service to have breakthrough.
Prophetic Worship Framework is where we combine scripture, skill, and spirit into a powerful prophetic flow.
Practice clarity by using the list, launch, and land approach. The L-evator. We practice the prophetic so we can flow without distraction.
Thanks for reading and being willing to express the heart and mind of God through music!
Blessings,
Dean Mitchum
P.S. If you’ve never been personally challenged to become the worship leader you’re meant to be then check out my Creative Worship Leaders Coaching Program. It’s a six-month, deep level one-on-one program where we eliminate excuses, establish creative habits, so you can maximize your creative calling and experience divine fulfillment.
by Dean Mitchum | Oct 26, 2021 | Uncategorized
Prophetic songs are unusual things. Some have few words and some have lots of words.
How do you know what to do or how long to go?
The length of a prophetic song depends on a couple of things. Message and impact.
Sing the message of the song and make it clear. If the song is having an impact continue to flow. When the impact is accomplished then finish the song.
The life cycle of a prophetic song can follow this pattern. Inspiration, presentation, and completion.
Inspiration is that moment that you sense, hear or feel a new song is to come. It may occur at the end of a song or during a song and you decide when to release it.
Presentation is the releasing of that song through singing or playing. It is the acting upon that which God has given you.
Completion is the singing or playing into a conclusion. This can mean to go back into a previous song or making room for another song to flow by continuing a musical cycle of chords.
Having a framework for how a prophetic song flows, along with understanding of message and impact, makes it more likely that you’ll engage in that song and bring the transformation that God desires.
Be bold and release that prophetic song inside of you!
No one should be hindered by worrying about the length of a prophetic song.
