Personal Testimony in Blog Writing
My childhood was filled with challenges and difficulties, which are now commonly referred to as "dysfunctional." However, during the chaotic years of the 1960's and 70's, we were simply living our lives without realizing that our experiences would later be categorized under a specific term. Nevertheless, Jesus played a significant role in intervening and impacting my life.
My life went through a significant change when someone assisted me in discovering and establishing a deep connection with the incomprehensible affection that Jesus possesses.
The photograph was taken by Laura E. Partain
In just a moment, my entire life was completely altered. The love I experienced at that time has been my source of strength and support for more than five decades, helping me navigate through the highs and lows, the successes and sorrows, and the pleasant moments as well. I firmly believe that the course of my life was permanently transformed when I first felt the love of God at the age of eighteen.
The reason I continue to exist and engage in my work is because of this. It motivates me to be a songwriter who is Christian and aims to assist you in creating songs that can effectively convey this incredible truth. The foundation of Nashville Christian Songwriters is centered around this principle, and all of our podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs are designed to spread the message of Jesus' love to all individuals across the globe.
Do you have a personal story to share about your faith journey? Perhaps you experienced God's love during your childhood church experiences, or maybe you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction. It's also possible that you went through a devastating loss that shattered you. Many Christian songwriters I've spoken to have endured immense pain, abuse, or divorce, and they are eager to learn how to express their struggles and how God helped them through it. According to James Finley, God doesn't protect us from hardships, but He miraculously helps us endure them.
However, what is the process of expressing our personal experiences and stories through impactful and memorable songs?
Throughout our lives, we experience both the highs and lows. However, when it comes to expressing our personal experiences in Christian songs, how can we effectively convey our testimonies? Here are three tips that aim to guide you in capturing your testimonials in a manner that resonates with listeners, providing them with comfort, healing, and hope.
To begin with, attempt to discover a unifying theme in your narrative that many individuals can relate to.
Loneliness and feeling lost are emotions that everyone can relate to at times. By making your story relatable, you can connect with people and draw them into your song. It's important for listeners to find elements of their own experiences in your music, allowing them to connect on a deeper level and potentially develop a fondness for your story.
If your story doesn't captivate us and evoke memories of our own experiences, we will lose interest. One of our friends and a former student of NCS, Becky Norquist, went through the painful journey of five miscarriages and one stillbirth. She has channeled her emotions into her music and ministry, primarily addressing grieving families. However, she has also incorporated broader themes in her songs so that anyone who has experienced any kind of loss – which includes all of us – can relate and continue to engage with her music.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or mood rather than getting caught up in
I was introduced to the concept by Dave Clark (Lillenas Music), who is known for his numerous songwriting and publishing contributions, and his words have stayed with me ever since. At first, it may seem contradictory, but it isn't. The initial point is to discover a central theme or emotion to base your song on. The second point is to avoid including irrelevant details in your song that do not serve the listener. If you delve too much into specifics like locations, times, dates, names, or other unnecessary information, there is a chance of losing the listener's interest.
By identifying the shared theme and emotion in your narrative that resonates with me, you welcome me to engage with your story. If the specific details you provide do not align with my own experiences, it may deter my interest. Although it may seem challenging, it is possible to strike a balance between providing sufficient details and overwhelming the reader, with the focus being on conveying your emotions during the difficult period and ultimately shifting towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
… a testimonial song is a song that expresses how God has brought victory and success into your life.
… a testimonial song is a song that portrays the ways in which God has achieved triumph in your life.
It is important to acknowledge the unique details that pertain to your own experiences, which may not resonate with others. To assist in the songwriting process, it can be beneficial to study examples of songs that evoke emotions in listeners rather than simply stating specific details.
Next, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
If you are still emotionally affected and in pain from a traumatic experience, it can be challenging to compose a genuine song that reflects your testimonial. Expressing your emotions too intensely in your lyrics may be perceived as self-centered, unless you are writing a traditional country song that revolves around heartbreak. If that is your intention, go ahead and pursue it, but keep in mind that it would not be considered a true testimonial but rather a melancholic country song.
When considering your audience, it's important to acknowledge that they likely have their own struggles to contend with. If you simply unload your own issues onto them, they may not be inclined to listen for long. This is why therapists and journals exist – they serve as outlets for coping with personal pain and dysfunction. It's crucial to think about how your lyrics will impact your listeners. What kind of emotional space are you inviting them into? How will they feel after hearing your song?
I believe Brandon Lake and the Elevation Worship team have achieved success in creating an uplifting praise song called "My Testimony" that effectively conveys a broad message rooted in Scripture. Instead of crafting a song that focuses solely on your childhood experiences, it may be beneficial to explore positive biblical themes that illustrate God's transformative and healing abilities in overcoming challenging circumstances. There are numerous approaches to sharing your personal testimony, so it would be wise to consider alternative methods before sharing your pain with others.
In summary, a testimonial song is one that depicts the triumph of God in one's life. It is crucial for your emotional well-being to experience catharsis. While it may be beneficial to write songs for personal catharsis, it is important to distinguish between the two types. Catharsis involves releasing emotions, while testimonials celebrate God's victory over the hardships one has faced and his ultimate triumph in one's soul, regardless of the path taken.
In our eight-week online coaching and mentoring program called NCS Pro Song Mastery, we explore the power of testimony songs and other important aspects of songwriting. While many people are looking for free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are truly committed to advancing your songwriting skills and feel a strong calling to build your ministry, you can click on the link provided to schedule a free phone call. This call will help you determine if our program is the right fit for you, and there is no obligation to commit. Take the next step and schedule your free call here.
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