Personal Reflections on the Blog
Growing up in the tumultuous era of the 1960s and 70s, my childhood was far from perfect and is often referred to as "dysfunctional" by society. However, back then, it was simply the reality of our lives. Little did we know that our experiences would later be categorized under this label. Nevertheless, amidst the chaos, Jesus miraculously entered my life and transformed it.
My life went through a significant change when someone assisted me in experiencing the inexplicable affection that Jesus has for everyone.
The photograph was taken by Laura E. Partain
In a single moment, my entire life was completely transformed. This love that I experienced has been a source of strength and support for me for more than five decades, guiding me through the highs and lows, the successes and sorrows, and even the joyful moments. I can confidently say that my life took a completely different path when I first experienced the overwhelming love of God at the age of eighteen.
The main reason I am still present and continue to pursue my passion is because of this particular reason. This reason is the driving force behind my work as a Christian songwriter and my desire to assist others in creating songs that can effectively convey this incredible truth. This reason forms the fundamental principle of Nashville Christian Songwriters, and all of our podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs are dedicated to spreading 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 during your childhood in church, or perhaps you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction. It's also possible that you were deeply hurt by a significant loss in your life. I have had conversations with numerous Christian songwriters who have faced immense pain, abuse, or divorce and are interested in our coaching programs. They want to learn how to express their suffering through their music and how God has supported them through it all. According to James Finley, God doesn't shield us from hardships, but rather miraculously provides us with the strength to endure them.
However, the question remains: how can we effectively express our personal experiences and stories through impactful songs?
As we journey through life, we experience both the joys and struggles it has to offer. However, when it comes to expressing our personal experiences through Christian songs, capturing our testimonies effectively can be a challenge. To aid you in this process, I have three tips that I believe will assist you in conveying your testimonials in a way that resonates with listeners, providing them with comfort, healing, and hope.
To begin, attempt to discover a shared theme or element within your story that resonates with a large number of individuals.
It is a universally understood concept to experience loneliness or a sense of being lost at times. By allowing people to relate to your story, you are effectively inviting them to connect with your song. It is crucial for your story to resonate with their own experiences so that they can emotionally invest in it. This connection enables listeners to insert their own personal narratives and ultimately develop a fondness for your story.
If there is nothing in your story that captures our attention and reminds us of something we have 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 dedicated to supporting grieving families, but she also includes enough universal themes in her songs so that anyone who has experienced any kind of loss – which is all of us – can relate to and continue to be engaged with her music.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or mood rather than getting caught up in
The statement was made by Dave Clark, a well-known songwriter and publisher of Lillenas Music, which stuck with me ever since. Although it may seem contradictory at first, it actually makes sense. The initial point is to choose 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 be helpful to your audience. If you delve too much into specifics like location, time, dates, names, or other irrelevant information, there's a chance of losing the listener's interest.
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 differ from my own experiences, it can discourage me. Although it may seem challenging, it is possible to achieve. You can learn to find the right amount of detail that focuses on your feelings during the difficult time, and then shift the narrative towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
…a song of testimonial is one that demonstrates the victory of God in your personal experiences.
It is important to recognize the unique details in your story that are personal to you and may not resonate with others. To assist in writing a song, it can be beneficial to find examples of songs that capture the emotion you want to convey and observe how the songwriters engage listeners without simply listing specific details.
Next, 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 authentically express it through a testimonial song. Sharing your pain in lyrics can sometimes be seen as self-centered, unless you're composing a heartfelt country song that reflects your sorrow. If that's your intention, go ahead and pursue it, but be aware that it won't be regarded as a genuine testimony, but rather as a melancholic country song.
When you prioritize your audience, it is important to recognize that they likely have their own struggles and burdens to handle. If you simply unload your own problems onto them, they may not be willing to listen for very long. This is why therapists and journals exist – they serve as a safe space for you to express your dysfunction and emotional pain. It is crucial to consider the impact your lyrics will have on your listeners. What kind of emotional atmosphere are you creating for them? How will they feel after hearing your song?
In my opinion, I believe that Brandon Lake and the Elevation Worship team have successfully created a lively praise song called "My Testimony" that effectively conveys a message rooted in Scripture. Instead of writing a song solely about your childhood experiences, it might be more beneficial to focus on positive biblical themes that showcase the transformative and healing power of God, overcoming any negative aspects. There are countless approaches to expressing your testimony, so it would be wise to explore different avenues before sharing your pain with others.
In conclusion, a testimonial song is a song that showcases how God has triumphed in one's life. It is important, and even necessary, for emotional well-being to have a release of emotions. It might be beneficial to write these songs for oneself as well, but it is important to remember that there is a distinction between catharsis and testimonials. Catharsis is a way of releasing emotions, while testimonials celebrate God's victory over the hardships one has endured, ultimately leading to a victorious state of the soul.
In our NCS Pro Song Mastery program, which lasts for eight weeks and is conducted online, we explore testimony songs and various other topics. While many individuals may be seeking free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are serious about advancing your songwriting skills and have a strong desire to establish your ministry, you can use the provided link to schedule a free phone call. This call is completely obligation-free and will help determine if our program is suitable for you. Take the opportunity to schedule your free call by clicking here.
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