Personal Blog
Sharing from Your Own Life Experience
I discovered my faith in Christ during a challenging childhood that many would describe as "dysfunctional" today. However, back then, it was just a normal part of growing up in the tumultuous era of the 1960s and 1970s. Unaware that our experiences would later be categorized with a specific label, Jesus somehow intervened in my life.
My life underwent a significant change when someone guided me to experience the incomprehensible love that Jesus has for us for the very first time.
The photograph was taken by Laura E. Partain
In a single moment, my entire life was completely altered. This enduring love has been my source of strength for more than half a century, guiding me through the highs and lows, the successes and sorrows, as well as the joyful moments. I firmly believe that my life's direction was permanently transformed when I experienced the profound love of God for the very first time at the age of eighteen.
The reason for my existence and the motivation behind my actions is what keeps me going. It's the driving force behind my career as a Christian songwriter and my desire to assist others in creating songs that capture the beauty of this extraordinary truth. The fundamental principle that guides Nashville Christian Songwriters and all our platforms, including podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs, is to spread the love of Jesus to every individual on Earth.
Do you have a personal story to share about your faith journey? It could be that you experienced God's love during your childhood in church, or perhaps you turned to Him in adulthood to overcome addiction. It's possible that you went through a devastating loss that left you broken. In my conversations with Christian songwriters interested in our coaching programs, many of them have endured significant hardships such as abuse, divorce, or profound loss. They have a desire to learn how to convey their pain through their music and express how God has provided them with strength and support during those difficult times. According to James Finley, God doesn't shield us from life's hardships, but rather miraculously sustains us through every challenge we face.
However, the question remains: how can we effectively convey our personal experiences and stories through powerful and impactful songs?
Throughout our lives, we experience both the highs and lows. However, when it comes to expressing our personal stories through Christian songs, how can we effectively convey our testimonies? Here are three helpful tips to consider that can assist in capturing your testimonials in a way that resonates with listeners, providing them with comfort, healing, and hope.
To begin with, attempt to discover a shared element in your narrative that many individuals can relate to.
Most people are familiar with the emotions of loneliness and feeling lost at times. By making your story relatable, you can effectively engage others and capture their interest in your song. It is important for our own experiences to resonate with yours somehow. This allows us to connect with your story on a deeper level and become emotionally invested in it.
If there is nothing in your narrative that captures our attention and reminds us of something we have personally experienced, we will lose interest. A person named Becky Norquist, who was once a student at NCS and is now our friend, went through the difficult experience of having five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Her music and ministry are centered around supporting 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 find something relatable and continue to engage with her music.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or mood rather than getting caught up in
The statement was originally made by Dave Clark, a well-known songwriter and publisher at Lillenas Music, and it has stuck with me ever since. At first glance, this statement may seem contradictory, but it is not. The main idea is to identify a central theme or emotion to base your song on. The second point is to refrain from including unnecessary details in your song that do not contribute to the listener's understanding. If you delve too much into specific locations, timeframes, dates, names, or other particulars, you may end up losing the interest of your audience.
When you find the common theme and emotion in your story that I can personally connect with, it allows me to become immersed in your narrative. If the specific details of your story don't align with my own experiences, it can make me disengaged. Although it may seem challenging, it is possible to strike the right balance of providing sufficient details without overwhelming the audience, focusing on conveying your emotions during the challenging times and ultimately shifting the narrative towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
…a testimonial song is a song that portrays the victorious presence of God in your life.
It is important to acknowledge the unique details that are personal to you, which may make it difficult for others to relate to your story. To overcome this, it can be helpful to look for examples of songs that align with the type of song you want to write and observe how the writers engage listeners by evoking emotions rather than simply describing specific details.
Next, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
If you are still feeling emotional and wounded from a traumatic experience, it can be challenging to create a genuine testimonial song about it. Expressing your pain through lyrics can sometimes be seen as self-centered, unless you are composing a typical country song filled with heartbreak. If that is your intention, then go ahead and pursue it. However, it is important to understand that this does not qualify as a testimony but rather as a somber country song.
When considering your audience, it's important to acknowledge that they likely have their own problems and struggles to handle. If you simply unload your own issues onto them, they may not be willing to listen for very long. This is why therapists and journals exist – they serve as outlets for your personal struggles and pain. It's crucial to think about the impact your lyrics will have on your listeners. What kind of emotional space are you inviting them into? How will they feel after hearing your song?
I believe that Brandon Lake and the Elevation Worship team have done an excellent job with their lively praise song called "My Testimony" by conveying a message rooted in Scripture that is applicable to many people. Instead of writing a song about your own childhood experiences, it might be worth considering exploring positive themes from the Scriptures that showcase God's ability to heal and overcome negative situations. There are countless ways to express your personal testimony, so it would be beneficial to explore alternative approaches before sharing your pain with others.
In conclusion, a testimonial song is one that highlights how God has succeeded in your life. It is crucial for your emotional well-being to have a release of emotions. It might be beneficial to write such songs for yourself as well, but it is important to understand that there is a distinction between the two types. Catharsis is the act of unloading emotions, while testimonials rejoice in God's triumph over the hardships you have faced, ultimately leading to victory in your soul, regardless of the path taken.
In our NCS Pro Song Mastery program, which lasts for eight weeks and takes place online, we explore testimony songs and many other aspects of songwriting. While many individuals may be interested in finding free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are serious about advancing in your songwriting skills and have a strong desire to develop your ministry, you can click on the provided link to arrange a free phone call. During this call, there is no pressure or obligation, as it is simply an opportunity to determine if this program is suitable for your needs. You can schedule your free call by following this link.
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