Personal Blog
Sharing My Testimony
My journey to finding Christ began during a challenging and chaotic upbringing that is often referred to as "dysfunctional" by society. However, during the 1960's and '70s, my family and I were simply navigating through the ups and downs of life. Little did we know that our experiences would later be classified under a specific label. Nonetheless, it was through the intervention of Jesus that my life took a transformative turn.
I underwent a significant change when someone assisted me in experiencing the inexplicable affection that Jesus holds for us.
The photograph was taken by Laura E. Partain
In a single moment, my entire life was completely transformed. This love, which has been with me for more than half a century, has supported me through the highs and lows, the moments of success and the moments of sorrow, and all the positive experiences as well. I can confidently say that the direction 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 as a Christian songwriter is to express the incredible reality of God's love. This purpose drives Nashville Christian Songwriters and all our platforms, including podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs, which aim to share the love of Jesus with people all around the world.
What is your personal experience with faith? Perhaps you experienced 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 you went through a devastating loss that shattered you. In my conversations with Christian songwriters who have shown interest in our coaching programs, many have shared stories of immense pain, abuse, or divorce. These individuals have a desire to learn how to express their suffering and how God provided them with strength throughout their hardships. James Finley believes that God doesn't shield us from challenges, but rather miraculously supports us through them.
However, what is the best way to express our personal experiences and stories through powerful and impactful songs? How can we effectively convey our testimonies through music?
Throughout our lives, we experience both the positive and negative aspects of life. However, when it comes to expressing our personal stories and experiences through Christian songs, how can we effectively convey our testimonies? I have three suggestions that may assist you in considering how to effectively capture 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 resonates with a wide range of individuals.
Loneliness and feeling lost are emotions that everyone can relate to at some point in their lives. To connect with your audience, it is important to create a story that resonates with them. By incorporating elements from their own experiences, listeners can fill in the gaps and truly connect with your song.
If your story doesn't capture our attention and resonate with something we've personally experienced, we will lose interest. Becky Norquist, a friend of ours who attended NCS, went through the difficult experience of having five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Her music and ministry are centered around supporting grieving families, but she also incorporates broader themes in her songs that anyone who has experienced any form of loss – which includes all of us – can relate to and connect with.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or mood rather than getting caught up in
I still remember when Dave Clark, a well-known songwriter and publisher, shared this piece of advice. It may seem contradictory at first, but it's actually not. The initial point is to focus on finding a central theme or emotion to base your song on. The second point is to avoid including unnecessary details in your song that won't benefit the listener. If you delve too much into specific locations, time frames, dates, names, or other particulars, you might end up losing the audience's interest.
By identifying the shared theme and emotion in your story that resonates with me, you make me feel included in your narrative. If the specifics of your story do not align with mine, it might discourage me. Although it may seem challenging, it is possible to strike a balance between providing sufficient details and overwhelming the reader, with the focus being on conveying your emotions during the challenging experience and then shifting towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
… a testimonial song is a song that depicts the victory of God in your personal life.
It is important to recognize the unique aspects of your own story that may not resonate with others. One way to improve your songwriting is to look for examples of songs that evoke emotions in their listeners by using inviting language instead of simply listing specific details.
Next, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
If you are still experiencing emotional pain and suffering from a traumatic event in your life, it can be challenging to authentically write a song that reflects the true essence of your experience. Expressing your pain too intensely in your lyrics may be perceived as self-centered, unless you are aiming to create a typical country song that evokes sadness and sorrow. If that is your intention, then go ahead and pursue it, but be aware that it won't be considered 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 and challenges to contend with. If you simply burden them with your own problems, they may not be attentive for very long. This is why therapists and journals exist – to 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 creating for them? How will they feel after hearing your song?
In my opinion, Brandon Lake and the Elevation Worship team have succeeded in creating a wonderful and uplifting praise song called "My Testimony" that conveys a broad message rooted in Scripture. Instead of focusing on personal childhood experiences, it might be more effective to explore positive Biblical themes that showcase God's ability to bring healing and redemption to difficult situations. There are countless ways to express your testimony, so it would be beneficial to explore alternative approaches before sharing your pain with others.
Ultimately, a testimonial song is one that showcases how God has prevailed in your life. It is crucial for your emotional well-being to experience catharsis. It may be beneficial for you to write these songs for yourself 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 hardships you have faced, highlighting His ultimate victory in your soul, regardless of the path taken to reach it.
In our NCS Pro Song Mastery program, which lasts for eight weeks and is conducted online, we delve deep into the art of writing testimony songs and much more. While many individuals may only be interested in accessing free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you have a strong desire to enhance your songwriting skills and feel a strong urge to establish your ministry, you can click on the provided link to arrange 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. To schedule your free call, please click here.
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