Personal Testimony Blog
Sharing my Journey to Finding Christ
Growing up in the tumultuous 1960's and 70's, my childhood was far from ideal and is now referred to as "dysfunctional" by society. However, back then, we simply considered it as a normal part of life. Little did we know that there would be a specific term for the struggles we faced. Nevertheless, it was during this chaotic period that Jesus miraculously entered my life and made a profound impact.
My life went through a profound change when someone assisted me in experiencing the unimaginable affection that Jesus has for us, which I had never felt before.
The image was captured by Laura E. Partain
In a single moment, my entire life was completely transformed. The love I experienced during that time has been my source of strength and support for more than half a century, guiding me through the highs and lows, the successes and hardships, and all the positive experiences as well. I bear witness to the fact that the direction of my life was permanently altered when I first felt the overwhelming love of God at the age of eighteen.
The reason I continue to exist and pursue my passion is because of this one thing. It motivates me to be a Christian songwriter and assist others in creating songs that can capture the beauty of this incredible truth. The central belief of Nashville Christian Songwriters is to spread the love of Jesus to every individual in the world, which is why we offer various platforms such as podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs.
What is your personal story of faith?
Perhaps you experienced God's love during your childhood church experiences, or maybe you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction. It's possible that you were deeply hurt by a significant loss. I have spoken to numerous Christian songwriters who have expressed interest in our coaching programs. Many of them have gone through immense pain, abuse, or divorce, and they desire to learn how to convey their experiences and how God helped them endure. James Finley suggests that God does not shield us from hardships, but rather miraculously supports us 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 our personal stories in Christian songs, how can we effectively convey our testimonies? I have three suggestions that I believe will assist you in effectively capturing your own experiences, ensuring that listeners not only enjoy the music but also find solace, restoration, and inspiration.
To begin, attempt to discover a shared theme or element in your narrative that many individuals can relate to.
Loneliness and feeling lost are universal emotions that everyone can relate to at some point. To truly engage people with your story, it's important to create a connection that allows them to see themselves in it. By incorporating elements of our own experiences, we can personally connect with your narrative and develop an emotional attachment to it.
If your story doesn't capture our attention and resonate with our own experiences, we will lose interest. One of our friends, Becky Norquist, who is a former student of NCS, has gone through the difficult and heartbreaking experience of having five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Through her music and ministry, she addresses the pain and sorrow experienced by grieving families. However, she also includes enough universal themes in her songs that anyone who has suffered any kind of loss – which includes all of us – can relate to and remain engaged with her music.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or sentiment rather than getting caught up in
I once came across a statement made by Dave Clark, a well-known songwriter and publisher from Lillenas Music, that has stuck with me ever since. At first glance, it may seem contradictory, but it's not. The initial idea is to focus on finding a central theme or emotion to base your song on. The second point emphasizes the importance of avoiding excessive and irrelevant details in your song that may not be beneficial to your listeners. If you delve too deeply into specifics such as locations, time, dates, names, or other unnecessary information, you run the risk of losing your audience's interest.
Through identifying the shared experiences and emotions in your story that resonate with me, you create a connection that allows me to engage with your narrative. However, if the specific details diverge from my own, it may hinder my ability to connect with your story. Despite the seeming difficulty, it is possible to strike a balance between providing sufficient or excessive details in order to focus on the emotions you experienced during the challenging situation, and then transition towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
… a testimonial song is a song that demonstrates the ways in which God has achieved victory in your life.
It is important to acknowledge the specific details in your story that are unique to you and cannot be easily relatable to others. One way to improve your songwriting is by studying and analyzing the work of other songwriters who have successfully evoked emotions in their songs, instead of simply listing specific details.
Next, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
When you are still emotionally wounded and suffering from a traumatic experience, it can be challenging to write a sincere song that reflects your personal testimony. Expressing your pain through lyrics can sometimes seem self-centered, unless you are composing a sorrowful country song where you pour out your heart. If that's your intention, then go ahead and pursue it. However, it is important to understand that it would be more of a melancholic country song rather than a genuine testimony.
When considering your audience, it's important to recognize that they likely have their own struggles and difficulties to cope with. If you simply unload your own problems onto them, they may not be willing to listen for very long. That's why professionals like therapists and personal journals exist – they serve as outlets for your dysfunction 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?
In my opinion, Brandon Lake and the Elevation Worship team have done an excellent job with their lively praise song "My Testimony" by conveying a message that is based on Scripture and applicable to a wide audience. Instead of writing a song that focuses solely on your childhood experiences, it might be more effective to explore positive Scriptural themes that showcase how God's healing power can overcome any negative circumstances. There are numerous ways to express your personal testimony, so it would be beneficial to explore alternative approaches before sharing your pain with others.
In summary, a testimonial song is one that highlights the ways in which God has overcome challenges in your life. It is important, and even necessary, for your emotional well-being to experience catharsis. It might 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 difficult situations you have faced and His ultimate victory in your inner being, regardless of the path you take to 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 truly committed to advancing your songwriting skills and have a deep desire to nurture your ministry, you can use the provided link to arrange a free phone call with no obligations. This call will help you determine if our program is suitable for your needs. You can schedule your free call by clicking here.
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