Crossway New Song Project - Collaborating on worship music

He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD.

Psalm 40:3

What is this?

The New Song Project is a collection of valuable resources shared through streamlined collaboration that helps individuals and churches write and record songs for their local congregations. All of these resources are provided by Crossway Network worship leaders and musicians.

Why does this exist?

The church is called to “sing a new song.”

Psalm 33:3, 40:3, 96:1, 98:1, 144:9, 149:1, Isaiah 42:10, Revelation 5:9, 14:3

This means that we are called to be freshly inspired by the eternal triune God and his revealed gospel, to write songs that are sung by his people in our time and place. While not all individuals, musicians, or even churches are called to do this, the “big C” Church is called to carry out this command. Therefore, as a Network we are trying to help those songs come out from local churches to bless local churches, all while proclaiming the glory of God to the watching world.

Who is it for?

This is a collaboration based resource specifically for corporate worship at Crossway Churches. Therefore, this is for musicians and songwriters writing songs that will most likely be sung at Crossway Network churches. We require approval from a worship leader or from a pastor at a Crossway Network church to move forward with using these resources. In any of these resources below, you can ask for coaching on how to do it yourself. We desire to be a Network that both gives fish and teaches people how to fish themselves.

The Process - What We Offer

The pathway involves the three main areas of Song Writing, Recording, and Releasing. Explore our general approach to each of these areas below. This is designed to be an “a la carte” collection of resources that helps you fill the gaps only with what you need for your specific goals and project.

Song Writing

Song Writing Retreat

Do you want to organize a song writing retreat for your worship team and need speaker/curator for a few days? The goal is to get a group of musicians from your church together and work on writing a song over the course of a weekend.

Master Class

Do you want to host an hour and a half "masterclass" on a topic related to songwriting and worship at your church? We'd love to help! You can reach out to one of us specifically or direct questions generally at the email contacts below.

Song Feedback

Would you like some critique and feedback from another songwriter to improve a fully or partially written song? Let us know! This requires written lyrics and a demo recording (iPhone recording is great).

Recording

Producer

A producer helps realize the artist’s vision throughout the recording process. They work with the tracking engineer to capture musical decisions and vision in the tracking process. They also typically function like a manager that helps coordinate mixing and mastering. Sometimes the producer also acts as the tracking engineer.

Tracking Engineer

A tracking engineer is the person managing all of the technical aspects of the tracking process (mic choices, managing the DAW, etc.). If the producer is the head, the engineer is the hands. In our specific pathway, the tracking engineer provides and/or coordinates all recording gear needed for the project.

Mixing Engineer

A mixing engineer takes the rough mix from the producer and manipulates individual tracks to accomplish the artistic goals. This is an important and intensive part of the process where the “studio magic” is normally applied.

Releasing

Mastering Engineer

A mastering engineer provides the quality control and final check in the recording process and functions as a bridge to distribution. They often do processing to fix errors, polish the entire track, meet loudness goals, make sure the song will translate in various listening environments, and prepare track for distribution.

Registration, Royalties, and Release

This is a downloadable packet that outlines how to release music, how to collect all of the royalties, and how to register songs with CCLI. It gives an overview and a checklist to cover all your distribution items. This will be available February 2025.

Distribution

We have a "CD Baby" account through which we have released various Crossway projects. If you would like your master royalties to go toward other Crossway music endeavors, we will gladly release your song on our CD Baby account.

FAQ

How do I access these resources?

The best ways is to directly reach out to other people in the network you know that have a skill you need. However, if you're not sure where to start, email newsong@crosswaynetwork.org and we can help.

Once a new song is recorded and released, please email us so we can update the Spotify playlist and keep track of what’s going on in the Network.

How much does it cost?

All the above people have freed up a set amount of time to offer their services for no cost. However, depending on your plan, there might be associated costs not covered by this program (travel costs, distribution fees, if you hire out session players, etc.). In these cases, we can help estimate different options depending on your goals.

How can I help?

If you have skills in music or recording and are a Crossway worship leader or musician, please email letting us know the skills you have to offer. Please share examples and/or a portfolio of your work so we have a reference to share with others reaching out.

What are the timeframes?

Because everyone is volunteering time to serve each other in the network, that limits availability. Therefore, timeframe for different resources depend on availability of the specific people.

If I use a service, does Crossway own any of the song?

The writers retain complete ownership of the master (the specific recording), and the publishing (the idea of the song). Producer points are not expected. If you desire to give the producer points, work that out with your specific producer on a case by case basis. However, this is not required or expected.

New Song Project