Personal Testimony in Blog Writing
My experience of coming to Christ was shaped by a challenging childhood that is often referred to as "dysfunctional" by society. However, during the turbulent years of the 1960s and 1970s, we were simply living our lives without realizing that our circumstances would be labeled in such a way. Nevertheless, Jesus somehow intervened in my life during that time.
My life underwent a significant change when someone assisted me in establishing a deep connection with the incomprehensible affection that Jesus has for us.
The photo credit for this image goes to Laura E
In a split second, my entire life was completely altered. This love I experienced has been the foundation of my strength and endurance for more than five decades, guiding me through the highs and lows, the successes and sorrows, as well as the positive experiences. I can confidently say that my life took a different course when I first felt the love of God at the age of eighteen.
The reason for my existence and my passion lies in this. It is the driving force behind my career as a Christian songwriter, as I strive to assist you in crafting songs that can effectively convey this incredible truth. The fundamental principle of Nashville Christian Songwriters is to spread the message of Jesus' love to every individual on Earth, which is why we offer podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs.
What is your personal story of faith?
Perhaps you experienced the love of God during your childhood in church, or maybe you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction. It's possible that you were deeply affected by a significant loss, and this led you to seek solace in God. Many Christian songwriters who have faced immense pain, abuse, or divorce have expressed their interest in our coaching programs. They desire to learn how to convey their suffering through music and show how God has provided them with strength throughout their hardships. James Finley suggests that God does not shield us from life's challenges, but rather miraculously supports us through them.
However, the question remains: How can we effectively express our personal experiences and stories through powerful and captivating songs?
Throughout our lives, we experience both the positive and negative aspects of life. However, when it comes to expressing these experiences through Christian songs, how can we effectively capture our testimonies? In this regard, I have three suggestions that I believe will assist you in reflecting on how to convey your personal stories in a manner that will resonate with listeners and provide them with comfort, healing, and hope.
To start, attempt to discover a shared theme within your narrative that many individuals can relate to.
Loneliness and feeling lost are familiar emotions to everyone. By sharing a story that people can relate to, you can effectively engage them in your song. It is important to include aspects of our own experiences in your narrative, allowing us to connect and become emotionally invested in your story.
If your story doesn't capture our attention and resonate with something we've personally experienced, we will lose interest. Becky Norquist, a former student of NCS and our friend, went through the difficult journey of experiencing five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Through her music and ministry, she primarily focuses on providing support for grieving families. However, she also incorporates broader themes in her songs that anyone who has experienced any form of loss – which includes all of us – can relate to and remain connected to her music.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or mood rather than getting caught up in
I was introduced to the idea by Dave Clark, a well-known songwriter and publisher, who emphasized the importance of finding a central theme or emotion to base your song on. On the other hand, it is crucial to avoid including unnecessary details in your song that might confuse or distract the listener. Going into too much specific information like locations, dates, names, or other particulars can potentially alienate the audience.
When you identify the shared theme and emotion in your story that resonates with me, it allows me to connect with your song. If the specific details you provide don't align with my own experiences, it may deter me. Although it may seem challenging, it is possible to strike a balance between providing sufficient or excessive detail in order to focus on the emotions you felt during the challenging period and ultimately shift the narrative towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
… a testimonial song is a song that demonstrates the ways in which God has achieved victory in your personal life.
… a testimonial song is a song that showcases the ways in which God has triumphed in your life.
It is important to remember the unique details that pertain specifically to you, as they make it difficult for others to relate to your story. To help with this, it can be beneficial to study songs that are similar to the one you want to write and observe how the songwriters engage listeners with their emotions rather than simply listing 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 in your life, it can be challenging to write a genuine song that reflects your true feelings about it. Expressing your pain through lyrics can sometimes be seen as self-centered, unless you are specifically aiming to create a melancholic country song. If that is your intention, then go ahead and pursue it, but be aware that it is not a testimony but rather a sorrowful country song.
When considering your audience, it's important to acknowledge that they likely have their own struggles to cope with. If you simply unload your own pain onto them, they may not be receptive for very long. This is why therapists and journals exist – to provide a safe outlet for your dysfunction and wounds. Take into account 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?
In my opinion, Brandon Lake and the Elevation Worship team have successfully created an uplifting praise song called "My Testimony" that effectively conveys a broad message based on Scripture. Instead of writing a song about your childhood experiences, it might be more beneficial to focus on positive themes from the Bible that highlight God's healing abilities in overcoming negativity. There are numerous approaches to sharing your personal testimony, so it would be beneficial to explore different methods before expressing your pain to others.
In summary, a testimonial song is a song that showcases how God has overcome challenges in your life. It is crucial for your emotional well-being to have a sense of release and purification. It may be beneficial for you to write these types of songs for yourself as well, but it's important to recognize the distinction between catharsis and testimonials. Catharsis involves releasing emotions, while testimonials celebrate God's victory over the difficult experiences you have faced, ultimately leading to a triumph in your inner being.
In our NCS Pro Song Mastery program, which takes place over eight weeks online, we delve into the art of writing testimony songs and much more. While many individuals seek out free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are eager to take your songwriting to the next level and feel a deep desire to develop your ministry, you can use the provided link to arrange a free phone call. This call is not binding and serves as an opportunity to determine if this program aligns with your needs. You can schedule your free call by clicking here.
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