Introduction

Praise and thank the Lord for the musical gifts given to our members! This guideline outlines the process for submitting musical compositions to be considered for use by the church. Whether the composition is submitted by the composer-lyricist themselves, or the existing composition is recommended for submission, we hope that the musical offerings of the members can glorify God and bring edification to all.

Composition Types

• Hymns (new compositions) 

• Praise & Worship Songs (new compositions)

• Arrangement of public domain hymns 

• RE Memory Verse Songs (new compositions)

• Children Bible Songs (new compositions)

Note: There may be special composition projects that have specific processes defined, such as the Religious Education Memory Verse Songs project. Please follow those processes as appropriate.

Submission Process

Members may submit any musical compositions deemed suitable for consideration to music.ministry@tjc.org. When submitting a musical composition for review, please include the following:

• Title of the composition

• Date of the composition’s completion

• Date of the composition submission

• Names of composer and lyricist

• Full score (PDF) of the composition

• Optional audio recording of the composition

Review Process

All compositions will be reviewed by the Music Ministry Committee before being accepted by the church for use.

• General review criteria:

  • ​​The lyrics must be based on biblical truth and in accordance with the doctrines of the church.

  • The music should help us to reflect on the meaning of the lyrics and bring about spiritually positive effects (such as encouragement, thankfulness, joyfulness, and/or comfort). 

  • This music piece helps us to worship God in reverence and in the beauty of holiness. Avoid musical style that evokes strong secular association.

• Religious Education Memory Verse Songs review criteria:

  • The accents of the words must match the accents of the meters. Exceptions must have good and logical reasons. 

  • The melody enhances the meaning of the lyrics.

  • The style of music conveys the principles of worshiping in the beauty of holiness, which bring sanctification, order, harmony and joy.  Avoid musical styles that evoke strong secular association.

With regard to the composer-lyricist’s identity, there are two options to submitting a composition:

• To keep the pieces under review on an anonymous basis

• To keep the composer-lyricist’s information as part of the review process

If the Music Ministry Committee approves the composition, the committee will notify the composer-lyricist about the composition’s status and prepare the composition for the Publishing Process. If the composition is not approved, the Music Ministry Committee may provide brief feedback on the criteria not met. 

Publishing Process

After the Music Ministry Committee has approved a composition, the composer-lyricist is/are to sign an agreement form in order to release the composition to the church for use. The composer-lyricist can choose between two types of release forms:

• "Assignment of Rights Agreement" Form (default)

• "Copyright License Agreement" Form (if the composer-lyricist would like to retain rights outside of the church)

The composer-lyricist also has a choice whether to include the composer-lyricist name in the published version released by the church, to include the initials, or to remain anonymous.

Derivative Works

Other members may request to write arrangements (derivative works) based on a previously-approved and published composition. The Music Ministry Committee would determine whether to grant permission to such requests. When the time comes to review the derivative work written, the Music Ministry Committee may choose to consult with the original composer-lyricist, and the derivative work would be subject to the same review criteria and publishing process.