Personal Blog
Expressing Your Experience
My journey towards embracing Christ began during a challenging childhood that is often referred to as "dysfunctional" nowadays. However, back then, it was simply the norm in the tumultuous era of the 1960s and 1970s. Unaware that there would one day be a label for the struggles we faced, Jesus found a way to intervene and make a significant impact on my life.
My life underwent a profound change when someone assisted me in establishing a connection with the indescribable affection that Jesus has for us.
The image was taken by Laura E. Partain
In a single moment, my entire life was completely disrupted. The love I experienced during that time has been the source of my strength and support for more than five decades, helping me navigate through both joyful and challenging moments. My personal account is that the course of my life was permanently altered when I first experienced the love of God at the age of eighteen.
The reason for my existence and the motivation behind my work lies in the love of Jesus. Being a Christian songwriter, my aim is to assist others in crafting songs that can effectively convey this incredible reality. Nashville Christian Songwriters, along with all our podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs, are dedicated to spreading the love of Jesus to every individual on Earth.
Do you have a personal story to share?
Perhaps you experienced the love of God during your childhood while attending church, or maybe you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction. It's also possible that you have faced a significant loss that left you broken. In our coaching programs, we have encountered numerous Christian songwriters who have endured immense pain, abuse, or divorce. They seek to learn how to express their suffering through music and convey how God has provided them with strength and support during those difficult times. According to James Finley, God doesn't shield us from hardships, but rather miraculously sustains us through them.
However, the question remains: how can we effectively express our personal experiences and stories through powerful songs?
Throughout our journey in life, we experience both the highs and lows. However, when it comes to expressing our personal experiences in Christian songs, it can be a challenge. Here are three helpful tips to consider when trying to effectively convey your testimony in a way that resonates with listeners and provides them with comfort, healing, and hope.
To begin with, attempt to discover a shared element within your story that many individuals can relate to.
We all have experienced loneliness or feeling lost at some point. The most effective way to engage people in your story is by making it relatable to them. It is important for them to find a connection between their own experiences and your story. By allowing them to relate and fill in the gaps with their own personal narratives, they will be able to emotionally connect and appreciate your story.
If your story doesn't capture our attention and resonate with our own experiences, we will lose interest. One of our friends, Becky Norquist, who is a former student of NCS, has gone through the heartbreaking experience of five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Through her music and ministry, she primarily addresses the struggles of grieving families. However, she also incorporates enough universal themes in her songs that anyone who has experienced any form of loss – which includes all of us – can relate to and remain engaged with her music.
Next, focus on conveying the feeling rather than getting caught up in specific details
The statement that has stuck with me is from Dave Clark, a renowned songwriter and publisher at Lillenas Music. It may seem contradictory at first, but it actually complements the first point. The initial point is to have a central theme or emotion as the foundation for your song. However, this second point advises against including unnecessary details in your song that do not contribute to the listener's understanding. If you delve too much into specific locations, times, dates, names, or other intricate details, there is a chance that the listener may become disengaged.
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 of your story differ from mine, it might discourage me. It may seem challenging, but it is achievable. You can learn to find the right balance of providing sufficient or excessive details to focus on your emotions during the challenging experience, and then shift the narrative towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
…a testimonial song is a song that demonstrates the way in which God achieved victory in your personal life.
It is important to recognize the unique details in your own story that we may not be able to relate to. One way to improve your songwriting is to find examples of songs that capture the emotions you want to convey, and observe how the writers engage listeners without simply listing specific details.
Thirdly, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
When you are still feeling the emotional pain and suffering from a traumatic experience, it becomes challenging to authentically express it through a testimonial song. Sharing your raw emotions in lyrics can sometimes be perceived as self-centered, unless you are composing a classic country song that portrays heartbreak. If that is your intention, then by all means, pursue it. However, it is important to acknowledge that it would not be considered a genuine testimony, but rather a melancholic country song.
When considering your audience, it is important to acknowledge that they likely have their own struggles and difficulties to deal with. If you simply unload your own problems onto them, they may not be inclined to listen for very long. This is why therapists and journals exist – they serve as outlets for your dysfunction and pain. It is important to think about the impact your lyrics will have on your listeners. What kind of emotional space are you creating for them? 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 message rooted in Scripture. Instead of focusing on creating a song that narrates your personal childhood story, it might be more beneficial to explore positive themes from the Bible that illustrate how God's healing power triumphs over all the negative aspects of life. There are countless ways to express your own testimony, so it would be worthwhile to consider alternative approaches before sharing your pain with others.
In summary, a testimonial song is one that demonstrates how God achieved victory in one's life. It is crucial for one's emotional well-being to experience catharsis. It may be beneficial to write these songs for oneself as well, but it is important to recognize the distinction between catharsis and testimonials. Catharsis involves releasing emotions, while testimonials celebrate God's triumph over the challenges one has faced, ultimately leading to victory in one's soul regardless of the path taken.
In our NCS Pro Song Mastery program, which lasts for eight weeks and is conducted online, we delve into the art of writing testimony songs and much more. While many people are seeking free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are truly committed to advancing your songwriting skills and have a strong desire to develop your ministry, you can use the provided link to arrange a free phone call. This call will serve as a chance for you to determine if our program is suitable for your needs, without any obligations. To schedule your free call, click here.
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