Personal Testimony in Blog Writing
My journey to finding Christ started in a challenging and tumultuous childhood, which is often referred to as "dysfunctional" nowadays. However, back then, it was just how life was during the chaotic 1960s and '70s. We were unaware that our experiences would later be categorized with a specific term, but in some way, Jesus intervened and played a significant role in transforming my life.
My life underwent a profound change when someone assisted me in establishing a profound connection with the incomprehensible affection that Jesus has for us.
The photograph was taken by Laura E. Partain
In a single moment, my entire life was completely transformed. This enduring love is what has supported me for more than five decades, guiding me through both the highs and lows, the successes and sorrows, as well as the joyful moments. The essence of my experience is that the course of my life was forever altered when I first experienced the overwhelming love of God at the age of eighteen.
The reason I continue to exist and pursue my passion is because of this. It is the driving force behind my career as a Christian songwriter and my desire to assist others in creating songs that capture the incredible truth of this. The fundamental principle that guides Nashville Christian Songwriters and all of our content, including podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs, is to spread the message of Jesus' love to every individual on Earth.
What is your personal experience with faith?
Perhaps you experienced a sense of God's love during your childhood church visits, or maybe you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction. It's also possible that a significant loss in your life left you broken, and you sought solace in God. Many Christian songwriters who have faced immense suffering, abuse, or divorce have expressed interest in our coaching programs. They want to learn how to effectively convey their pain and how God provided them with strength throughout their hardships. James Finley suggests that while God does not shield us from challenges, He miraculously supports us through them.
However, what is the best way to express our personal experiences and stories through exceptional music? What techniques can we use to effectively capture our testimonies in powerful songs?
Throughout our lives, we experience both the highs and lows. However, when it comes to expressing our personal stories in Christian songs, how can we effectively convey our testimonies? I have three helpful tips that I believe will assist you in effectively capturing your experiences in ways that will resonate with listeners and provide them with comfort, healing, and hope.
Begin by searching for a shared element in your narrative that many individuals can relate to.
Loneliness and feeling lost are familiar emotions that everyone can relate to at some point. To engage people with your story, it is essential to create a connection by allowing them to see themselves in it. By incorporating elements of our shared experiences, we can better connect with your narrative and become captivated by it.
If your story doesn't captivate us and resonate with our own experiences, we will lose interest. Our acquaintance, Becky Norquist, who is an alumni of NCS, has gone through the heartbreaking experience of five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Through her music and ministry, she primarily addresses the pain felt by grieving families. However, she also incorporates enough universal themes in her songs so that anyone who has experienced any form of loss – which includes all of us – can relate and remain engaged with her music.
Next, focus on capturing and expressing the feeling or mood rather than getting caught
I remember hearing Dave Clark, a well-known songwriter and publisher from Lillenas Music, say this and it stuck with me. It may seem contradictory at first, but it's not. The initial point is to identify a central theme or emotion to base your song on. The second point is to avoid including unnecessary details in your song that don't serve a purpose for your listener. If you delve too much into specific locations, dates, names, or other irrelevant information, there is a chance of losing the audience's interest.
When you identify the shared connection and shared feeling in your story that I can understand, you welcome me into your song. If the specifics of your story don't align with mine, it may disengage me. Though it may seem challenging, it is possible. You can learn to find the right amount of detail that focuses on your emotions during the difficult experience and then shift towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
… a testimonial song is a musical expression that depicts the victory of God in your personal experiences and journey.
It's important to understand that there are certain details in your story that are unique to you and may not resonate with others. To overcome this, it can be helpful to seek out examples of songs that capture the same emotion you want to convey and observe how the songwriters engage listeners without simply listing specific details.
Thirdly, 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 difficult to authentically express it through a testimonial song. Pouring your emotions into lyrics often appears self-centered, unless you are creating a traditional country song that evokes sadness. If that is your intention, go ahead and express yourself, but understand that it is not a genuine testimony but rather a melancholic country song.
When considering your audience, it's important to recognize that they likely have their own struggles to contend with. If you solely focus on unloading your own pain onto them, they may not be willing to listen for very long. That's why therapists and journals exist – they serve as outlets for your dysfunction and hurts. It's crucial 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?
I believe that Brandon Lake and the Elevation Worship team have effectively created an uplifting praise song called "My Testimony," which conveys a message rooted in Scripture. Instead of writing a song about your personal childhood experiences, it might be better to explore Scriptural themes that highlight the transformative power of God in overcoming negative situations. There are numerous ways to express your testimony, so it would be beneficial to consider alternative approaches before sharing your pain with others.
In summary, a testimonial song is a song that portrays how God succeeded in your life. It is essential for your emotional well-being to experience catharsis. While it may be beneficial to write these songs for yourself, it's important to recognize the distinction between catharsis, which involves releasing emotions, and testimonials, which celebrate God's triumph over the challenges you faced and His ultimate victory in your soul, regardless of the path taken.
In our NCS Pro Song Mastery program, which spans over eight weeks and is conducted online, we delve into the art of writing testimony songs and much more. While many individuals seek free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are determined to enhance your songwriting skills and have a deep desire to strengthen your ministry, click on the provided link to arrange a free phone call. This call carries no obligations and serves as an opportunity for you to determine if this program suits your needs. Book your free call now.
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