Personal Testimony Blog
Sharing My Journey to Finding Christ
Growing up in the chaotic era of the 1960's and 70's, my childhood was far from perfect. Although we didn't realize it at the time, our experiences were what society now labels as "dysfunctional." Nevertheless, it was during this period that Jesus miraculously entered my life.
My life underwent a significant change when I received assistance in establishing a profound connection with the incomprehensible affection of Jesus for the very first time.
The photograph was taken by Laura E. Partain
In a single moment, my entire life was completely transformed. The love I experienced at that time has been the source of my strength and support for more than half a century, guiding me through both the joys and sorrows, as well as the positive moments. I firmly believe that my life's course took a permanent shift when I first felt the immense love of God at the age of eighteen.
The reason for my existence and the motivation behind my work is the love of Jesus. As a Christian songwriter, my goal is to assist you in creating songs that can effectively convey this incredible reality. Nashville Christian Songwriters, along with our podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs, are dedicated to spreading the love of Jesus to all individuals worldwide.
What is your personal story of faith? It could be that you experienced God's love during your childhood church experiences, or perhaps you found Him later in life while struggling with addiction. It's also possible that you were deeply hurt by a significant loss. Many Christian songwriters who have faced immense pain, abuse, or divorce have reached out to us to learn how to express their emotions through music and how God has provided them with strength and support during these difficult times. James Finley has wisely stated that while God may not shield us from hardships, He miraculously helps us endure and navigate through them.
However, the question remains: How can we effectively express 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 these experiences through Christian music, capturing our testimonies can be a challenge. To assist you in this process, I have three tips that I believe will aid you in effectively conveying your personal stories in a way that resonates with listeners, providing them with comfort, healing, and hope.
Initially, attempt to discover a shared theme or element within your narrative that many individuals can relate to.
Loneliness and feeling lost are emotions that are familiar to everyone. To engage people in your story, it is important to create a connection and make them relate to it. It is crucial to include elements that resonate with our own experiences, allowing us to personally connect and become 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, has gone through the difficult journey of enduring five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Her music and ministry are dedicated to supporting grieving families, but she also includes universal themes in her songs that allow all of us, who have experienced any kind of loss, to connect with her music and remain engaged.
Next, focus on depicting the feeling rather than the specific elements or particulars.
The idea that songwriter and publisher Dave Clark (Lillenas Music) shared has stuck with me. It may seem contradictory, but it's not. The first point is to establish a central theme or emotion for your song. The second point is to avoid including unnecessary details in your song that won't be helpful to your listener. If you delve too much into specifics like location, time, dates, names, or other details, you might end up losing the listener's interest.
When you identify the shared theme and emotion in your story that I can understand, you are inviting me to connect with your song. If the specifics of your story don't align with mine, it may discourage me. Although it may seem challenging, it is possible to achieve. You can learn to find the right amount of detail 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 type of song that highlights the ways in which God has achieved victory in your personal life.
It is important to recognize the unique aspects of your story that may not resonate with others. To improve your songwriting, it can be beneficial to study songs that evoke emotions and observe how the writers engage listeners without merely listing specific details.
Next, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
If you are still feeling emotional and in pain from a traumatic experience, it can be difficult to write a sincere song that serves as a true testimony to that event. Expressing your pain through lyrics can sometimes be seen as self-centered, unless you are creating a country song that revolves around heartbreak. If that is your intention, then go ahead and pursue it, but keep in mind that it won't be a genuine testimony, but rather a melancholic country song.
Considering your audience before sharing your own pain is important because they likely have their own issues to deal with. If you solely focus on unloading your problems onto them, they may not be willing to listen for very long. This is why therapists and journals exist – they serve as a designated outlet for expressing your dysfunctional thoughts 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?
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 writing a song solely focused on your childhood experiences, it might be worth considering exploring positive Scriptural themes that highlight God's ability to heal and overcome negativity. There are numerous approaches to sharing your testimony, so it would be beneficial to explore alternative methods before sharing your personal pain with others.
In summary, a testimonial song is a song that portrays how God has overcome challenges in your life. Having a cathartic experience is crucial for your emotional well-being. You may consider writing these songs for yourself as well, but it's important to note that there is a distinction between the two types. Catharsis is a means of releasing emotions, while testimonials celebrate God's triumph over the difficulties you have faced, ultimately leading to victory in your soul regardless of the path taken.
In our eight-week online coaching and mentoring program called NCS Pro Song Mastery, we explore testimony songs and many other topics. While many individuals may be interested in 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 schedule a free phone call. This call will allow you to determine if our program is suitable for you, and there is no obligation to commit. Take the opportunity to schedule your free call here.
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