For more than two decades, Brian Johnson has helped shape the sound of modern worship through songs that have been sung in churches around the world. During a recent WorshipU session, the Bethel Music co-founder offered a rare behind-the-scenes look at how those songs are written, refined, and ultimately brought to congregations, sharing lessons learned from more than 25 years of songwriting ministry.
Johnson began by describing songwriting as both a spiritual and practical discipline. Rather than waiting for inspiration to strike during scheduled writing sessions, he constantly records melodies, lyric ideas, and musical concepts into his phone's voice memo app whenever they come to mind. Whether driving, worshiping, or simply going about daily life, Johnson believes songwriters must remain attentive to creative sparks when they appear.
"The voice memo on the phone is the greatest app ever for me," Johnson explained, noting that he often accumulates months of unfinished ideas before reviewing them. Rather than obsessing over each concept immediately, he allows them to sit untouched for extended periods, believing that truly strong ideas will still resonate when revisited later.
When preparing for a new album, Johnson spends days sorting through those recordings, identifying what he calls "sparks" - melodies, lyrics, or concepts that possess the potential to become complete songs. He then organizes them into categories, separating verses, choruses, bridges, and other song components so they can be developed during future writing sessions.
One of the most revealing moments of the conversation came when Johnson shared the origin story of the worship anthem Holy Forever. He recalled having an unfinished idea containing only part of a pre-chorus and a simple chorus concept developed by his wife, Jenn Johnson. As he prepared for a co-writing session with Chris Tomlin and songwriter Jason Ingram, he selected that unfinished concept from his list because he sensed it fit their collective strengths.
The intuition proved correct. The song was completed during that writing session and has since become one of the defining worship songs of the current generation, recorded by churches and artists around the world. Johnson pointed to the experience as evidence that organization and discernment are often just as important as inspiration.
Johnson shared a similar story regarding "He Has Done Great Things," explaining that the song existed in various forms for years before being completed. After repeatedly returning to the idea and believing it suited Tomlin's style, Johnson eventually brought it into a writing session where it was finished in roughly 30 minutes.
Throughout the workshop, Johnson stressed that songwriting is rarely a linear process. Many songs continue evolving long after writers believe they are finished. He pointed to Bethel Music's beloved Easter anthem Forever as a prime example. Although the song was considered complete, a spontaneous worship moment led to the addition of the now-famous refrain, "We sing hallelujah, the Lamb has overcome," which became one of the song's most recognizable sections.
Johnson argued that worship songs are often only fully completed when they have been tested in the context of corporate worship. He encouraged writers to play songs in church settings, observe how congregations respond, and remain open to making adjustments even after recordings have been made.
Another major theme was the necessity of perseverance. Johnson revealed that "Forever" went through approximately 15 revisions before reaching its final form. He warned young songwriters against rushing ideas to completion simply because they are excited about one strong section. Instead, he encouraged them to continue refining every part of a song until the entire composition reflects the same level of excellence.
According to Johnson, some of the most common songwriting mistakes occur when writers settle for weak verses or lyrics simply because they have already discovered a compelling chorus. Great songs, he said, require patience and a willingness to revisit material repeatedly.
Johnson also spoke candidly about personal growth as a songwriter. While melody writing came naturally to him, lyric writing was initially a weakness. After receiving honest feedback from another songwriter who challenged him to improve his lyrical craftsmanship, Johnson intentionally began collaborating with writers who excelled in that area. The decision helped shape many of the songs that would later define Bethel Music's catalog.
Beyond technique, Johnson emphasized the spiritual responsibility of worship songwriting. He urged writers to keep eternity in view when crafting lyrics, arguing that some of the most enduring hymns and worship songs connect present-day struggles with future hope in Christ.
Referencing songs such as Living Hope and Hymn of Heaven, Johnson explained that worship music becomes especially powerful when it reminds believers of God's promises and the hope of heaven. He noted that many classic hymns continue to resonate because they were written out of suffering while simultaneously pointing listeners toward eternal realities.
"The most powerful songs are the ones that speak to the present need but pull the listener into the future by showing them God's perspective," Johnson said. He encouraged writers not to ignore pain but to provide language that helps people sing through difficult circumstances with faith and hope.
Johnson further suggested that worship songs can help shape future movements within the Church. Drawing inspiration from historical revivals and the ministry of figures such as the John Wesley and Charles Wesley, he argued that music has often served as a catalyst for spiritual awakening. As a result, he challenged songwriters to consider not only what the Church needs today, but what God may be calling it to become in the years ahead.
Perhaps Johnson's most memorable advice was his encouragement to "dare to be dumb," a phrase he uses to describe the willingness to share imperfect or awkward ideas during the creative process. Many great songs, he explained, begin with concepts that initially seem unimpressive. The key is creating an environment where creativity can flourish without fear of failure.
After more than two decades of writing songs for the global Church, Johnson's message to aspiring worship leaders and songwriters remained remarkably simple: collect ideas faithfully, collaborate generously, embrace revision, stay connected to real life, and write songs that help people encounter God both now and for eternity.
