Personal Testimony in Blog Writing
In my personal experience, I found my way to Christ despite having a difficult childhood that is often referred to as "dysfunctional" nowadays. However, during the tumultuous years of the 1960s and 1970s, we were simply living our lives without realizing that there would be a specific term for the challenges we faced. Nonetheless, Jesus somehow intervened and made a significant impact on my life.
I went through a profound change when someone assisted me in making a connection with the indescribable affection that Jesus holds for all of us.
The photo was taken by Laura E. Partain
In a single moment, my entire life was completely transformed. This love that I experienced has been my source of strength and support for more than five decades, guiding me through the highs and lows, the victories and losses, and all the positive experiences as well. I can confidently state that the course of my life was permanently altered when I first encountered God's love at the age of eighteen.
The reason for my existence and the motivation behind my work is a powerful force. It is the driving force behind my career as a Christian songwriter, as I strive to assist others in creating songs that can effectively convey this awe-inspiring truth. The fundamental principle that guides Nashville Christian Songwriters and all of our platforms, including podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs, is to spread the love of Jesus to every individual on Earth.
What is your personal story of faith? Perhaps you experienced God's love while attending church as a child, or you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction. It could also be that you were deeply affected by a significant loss in your life. I have spoken to many Christian songwriters who have expressed interest in our coaching programs. They have endured great pain, abuse, or divorce, and they desire to learn how to express their suffering and how God has helped them through it. As James Finley puts it, "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 these experiences through Christian songs, how can we effectively convey our testimonies? I have three suggestions that I believe will assist you in carefully considering how to best portray your personal stories in a manner that resonates with listeners, providing them with comfort, healing, and hope.
Initially, attempt to discover a shared element within your narrative that numerous individuals can relate to.
Loneliness and feeling lost are familiar emotions that everyone can relate to at times. By allowing people to connect with your story, you can effectively engage them in your song. It is crucial to incorporate elements of our own experiences into your narrative, enabling us to personally connect and develop an emotional attachment to your story.
If there isn't anything in your story that captures our attention and resonates with our own experiences, we will lose interest. Becky Norquist, a former student of NCS and our friend, has personally gone through the heartbreak of five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Through her music and ministry, she primarily addresses the pain of grieving families, but she also incorporates broader themes that can relate to anyone who has ever experienced any form of loss – which includes all of us. This ensures that there is something for everyone to connect with and remain engaged with her songs.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or mood rather than getting caught up in
I was introduced to Dave Clark, a highly productive songwriter and publisher at Lillenas Music, who shared a valuable piece of advice that has stayed with me. At first glance, this advice may seem contradictory, but it isn't. The initial point is to identify a central theme or emotion to base your song on. The second point is to refrain from including unnecessary details in your song that may confuse or disengage your listener. If you delve too deeply into specifics like locations, time, dates, names, or other irrelevant information, there is a chance of losing the listener'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 specific details of your experience don't align with mine, it might turn me away. Although it may seem challenging, it is possible to achieve. You can learn to find the right amount of detail to focus on conveying your emotions during the difficult time and then shift towards highlighting the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
…a testimonial song is a song that represents 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 study and learn from songs that evoke emotions in listeners without relying solely on specific details.
Next, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
When you're still emotionally affected and in pain from a traumatic experience, it becomes challenging to authentically express it through a song. Sharing your pain in your lyrics can sometimes be perceived as self-centered, unless you're creating a heartfelt country song that reflects on personal struggles. If that's your intention, go ahead and pursue it, but keep in mind that it won't be considered a genuine testament. 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 challenges and struggles to handle. If you only burden them with your own problems, they may not be willing to listen for long. This is why therapists and journals exist – they serve as outlets for your personal issues and pain. It's crucial to think about how your lyrics will affect 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 based on Scripture. Instead of writing a song about your personal childhood experiences, it might be more beneficial to focus on positive Scriptural themes that highlight God's healing power in overcoming negativity. There are numerous approaches to expressing your testimony, so it would be worthwhile to explore alternative methods before sharing your pain with others.
In summary, a testimonial song is a song that reflects how God has overcome challenges in your life. It is essential for your emotional well-being to have a sense of release and cleansing. While it may be beneficial to write these songs for yourself, it is important to understand that there is a distinction between catharsis and testimonial songs. Catharsis involves unburdening yourself, while testimonials focus on celebrating God's victory over the difficult experiences you have faced, ultimately leading to a transformation in your soul.
In our NCS Pro Song Mastery program, which lasts for eight weeks and takes place online, we delve deeply into testimony songs and various other topics. Many individuals are interested in finding free Christian songwriting courses and webinars. However, if you are eager to enhance your songwriting skills and feel a strong urge to develop your ministry, you can use the provided link to schedule a free phone call. This call will allow you to determine if the program is suitable for you, without any obligation. Click here to schedule your free call.
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