The organizing principle is the words and music of a Lutheran hymn.
Usually a chorale cantata includes multiple movements or parts.
The chorale cantata developed out of the chorale concerto, an earlier form much used by Samuel Scheidt in the early 17th century, which incorporated elements of the Venetian School, such as the concertato style, into the liturgical music of the Protestant Reformation.
Later the chorale cantata developed into three general forms: Most compositions in this genre were never published.
It was common at the time for composers to write for local performances; often the composer and the music director at a church were the same person, and the music was written, copied and performed in short order, remaining in manuscript.