Personal Testimony in Blog Writing
Growing up in the tumultuous era of the 1960s and '70s, my childhood was far from perfect and is now often referred to as "dysfunctional." However, at that time, we were simply living our lives without realizing that our experiences would be labeled as such. Nevertheless, it was during this period that Jesus entered my life and made a significant impact.
My life underwent a profound change when I received assistance in establishing a deep connection with the indescribable affection that Jesus has for all of 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 five decades, has supported me through all the highs and lows, the successes and failures, and even the positive experiences. The core of my story lies in the fact that the course of my life was permanently altered when I first experienced the love of God at the age of eighteen.
The reason why I am still present and engaged in my work is because of the love of Jesus. This love is what motivates me to be a Christian songwriter and assist others in writing songs that can capture the essence of this incredible truth. It is the fundamental principle that drives Nashville Christian Songwriters and all of our various forms of media and coaching initiatives, as we aim to spread the message of Jesus' love to every individual on Earth.
What is your personal story of faith? It could be that you experienced God's love while attending church as a child, or you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction. Perhaps you have endured a significant loss that left you broken. Many Christian songwriters who have gone through great suffering, abuse, or divorce have approached us about our coaching programs. They are interested in learning how to express their pain through music and share how God has supported them during those difficult times. According to James Finley, God does not shield us from hardships, but rather miraculously helps us endure and overcome 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 through Christian songs, how can we effectively convey our testimonies? Here are three valuable tips to consider that will assist you in capturing your experiences in a manner 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.
Loneliness and feeling lost are common emotions that people can relate to. To engage others in your story, it is important to allow them to connect with it. By incorporating elements of our collective experiences, listeners can insert their own narratives and develop a deeper connection with your music.
If your story doesn't capture our attention and resonate with something we have personally experienced, we will lose interest. Becky Norquist, a friend and former student of NCS, has gone through the painful experience of five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Her music and ministry are dedicated to supporting grieving families, but she also incorporates broader themes in her songs so that anyone who has experienced any form of loss can relate and remain engaged with her music.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or mood rather than getting caught up in
I was introduced to Dave Clark, a songwriter and publisher known for his extensive body of work, including Lillenas Music. He once mentioned something that has stuck with me ever since. Although it may sound contradictory, his first point is to identify a central theme or emotion to base your song on. The second point is to avoid including unnecessary details in your song that may not be helpful to the listener. Going into excessive specifics such as location, time, dates, names, and other minutiae can potentially alienate the audience.
When you identify the shared theme and emotion in your story that resonates with me, you allow me to connect with your message. If the specific details in your story do not align with my own experiences, it may deter my engagement. Although it may seem challenging, striking the right balance of providing sufficient or excessive details can help emphasize your emotions during the difficult times and ultimately shift the focus towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
… a testimonial song is a song that demonstrates how God achieved victory in your life.
It is important to understand that there may be certain details in your story that are unique to you and cannot be easily related to by others. To help with this, it can be beneficial to study songs that are similar to the one you want to write and observe how the writers engage the listeners in an emotional experience rather than simply stating specific details.
Next, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
When you're still emotionally affected by a traumatic experience, it can be difficult to write a genuine song about it. Expressing your pain through lyrics can sometimes be seen as self-centered, unless you're composing a country song that evokes sadness. If that's your intention, then go ahead and pursue it, but keep in mind that it won't be considered a testimonial. Instead, it will be categorized as a melancholic country song.
When considering your audience, it's important to recognize that they likely have their own struggles and challenges to overcome. If you simply unload your own problems onto them, they may not be inclined to listen for long. This is why therapists and journals exist – they provide a safe outlet for expressing and processing your own dysfunction and pain. It's important 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 broad message based on Scripture. Instead of writing a song solely based on your personal childhood experiences, it might be more impactful to focus on Scripture that highlights the transformative power of God in overcoming adversity. There are countless ways to share your testimony, so it would be beneficial to explore different approaches before sharing your pain with others.
In conclusion, a testimonial song is a song that demonstrates how God succeeded in your life. It is crucial for your emotional well-being to experience catharsis. Perhaps you should also write these songs for yourself, but keep in mind that there is a distinction between the two types. Catharsis involves releasing emotions, while testimonials celebrate God's triumph over the challenges you faced and His ultimate victory in your spirit, regardless of the path taken.
In our NCS Pro Song Mastery, an eight-week online coaching and mentoring program, we delve into the art of creating testimony songs and explore various other topics. While many individuals seek free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you have a genuine desire to enhance your songwriting skills and have a strong calling to establish your ministry, you can click on the provided link to schedule a free phone call. This call is not binding, and it will help you determine if our program is suitable for you. Take the first step and schedule your free call here.
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