Personal Blog
Sharing my Story of Finding Faith
Growing up in the tumultuous 1960's and 70's, my childhood was far from perfect. It was later labeled as "dysfunctional" by society, but at the time, it was simply the reality of our lives. Little did we know that Jesus would eventually play a significant role in my journey towards redemption.
My life went through a profound change when someone assisted me in establishing a deep connection with the overwhelming affection that Jesus has for me, an experience that is difficult to put into words.
The photo was taken by Laura E. Partain
In a single moment, my entire life was completely transformed. Throughout the course of over five decades, it is this exact love that has supported me through all the challenges, successes, hardships, and joys. My personal experience is that the direction of my life was permanently altered when I first experienced God's love at the age of eighteen.
The reason for my presence and the motivation behind my actions is this. It is the driving force behind my profession as a Christian songwriter and my desire to assist others in writing songs that can effectively convey this extraordinary truth. It serves as the fundamental principle of Nashville Christian Songwriters, and all our podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs are dedicated to spreading the love of Jesus to every individual on Earth.
What is your personal story of faith?
Perhaps you experienced God's love when you were young and attended church, or maybe you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction. It's possible that you were deeply hurt by a significant loss. In my conversations with numerous Christian songwriters interested in our coaching programs, many of them have endured immense pain, abuse, or divorce. They are eager to learn how to channel their suffering into their music and express how God has supported them through it all. According to James Finley, God doesn't shield us from hardships, but rather miraculously helps us endure them.
However, the question remains: How can we effectively express our personal experiences and stories through exceptional musical compositions?
Throughout our lives, we experience both the positive and negative aspects of life. However, when it comes to expressing our personal experiences through Christian songs, how can we effectively convey our testimonies? Here are three tips that I believe will assist you in strategically capturing your testimonials in a manner that resonates with listeners, providing them with comfort, healing, and hope.
To begin, attempt to discover a unifying element in your narrative that resonates with a large number of individuals.
Loneliness and feeling lost are emotions that are universally understood. By sharing a story that people can relate to, you can create a connection and engage them in your song. It is important for listeners to find elements of their own experiences within your narrative, allowing them to connect and develop an emotional attachment.
If your story fails to capture our attention and evoke memories of our own experiences, we will lose interest. Becky Norquist, a friend and former student of NCS, endured the pain of five miscarriages and one stillbirth. While her music and ministry primarily center around grieving families, she also incorporates broader themes into her songs that resonate with anyone who has experienced any form of loss – which includes all of us. As a result, we can all relate to her songs and remain engaged.
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 at Lillenas Music, and it has stayed with me ever since. At first glance, this may seem contradictory, but it's not. The initial point is to discover a shared theme or emotion to base your song on. The second point is to refrain from including unnecessary details in your song that don't add value for the listener. If you delve too much into specific locations, times, dates, names, or other specifics, you might end up losing the interest of your 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 details and avoiding overwhelming me, with the focus being on conveying your emotions during the difficult situation and then shifting 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 brought success and victory into your life.
It is important to recognize the unique details in your own story that may not resonate with others. One way to improve your songwriting is to study and learn from songs that successfully draw listeners into an emotion rather than simply listing specific details.
Thirdly, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
When you're still emotionally wounded and in pain from a traumatic experience, it can be challenging to compose a genuine song that reflects your experience. Expressing your pain too intensely in your lyrics can come across as self-centered, unless you're writing a classic country song that channels heartbreak. If that's what you aspire to create, then go ahead and pursue it, but keep in mind that it won't be seen as a testimony, rather just a melancholic country song.
When considering your audience, it's important to recognize that they likely have their own challenges and difficulties to navigate. If you unload all of your own problems onto them, they may not be willing to listen for very long. This is why professionals such as therapists and journals exist – they are there to provide a safe space for you to express your struggles and pain. Take into account the impact your lyrics will have on your listeners. What kind of emotional environment 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 and inspiring praise song called "My Testimony" that conveys a broad message based on Scripture. Instead of writing a song focused on your personal childhood story, it might be beneficial to explore positive Scriptural themes that highlight God's healing power in overcoming negative experiences. There are numerous approaches to sharing your testimony, so it would be worthwhile to consider different ways before delving into sharing your pain with others.
In summary, a testimonial song is one that highlights how God succeeded in your life. The release of emotions is crucial for your well-being. 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 expressing and releasing emotions, while testimonials celebrate God's triumph over the challenges you faced, representing His ultimate victory in your spirit regardless of how you reach that point.
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 individuals seek free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are eager to enhance your songwriting skills and have a strong desire to establish your own ministry, you can click on the provided link to arrange a free phone call. This call does not come with any obligations and is aimed at determining if this program is suitable for your needs. You can schedule your free call by clicking here.
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