Personal Testimony: Finding Christ in a Challenging Upbringing
Growing up in the tumultuous era of the 1960s and 1970s, my childhood was far from what society now labels as "dysfunctional." It was simply the reality of the times. Unaware of the future terminology that would be associated with our experiences, Jesus unexpectedly entered my life and made a significant impact.
My life underwent a significant change when someone assisted me in establishing a profound connection with the indescribable affection and compassion of Jesus.
The photo was taken by Laura E. Partain
In a single moment, my entire life was completely transformed. This enduring love has been my source of strength and support throughout the past five decades, guiding me through the highs and lows, the successes and sorrows, as well as the positive experiences. I firmly believe that the course of my life was permanently altered when I experienced the overwhelming love of God for the very first time at the age of eighteen.
The reason for my existence and the motivation behind my work is this. It is what drives me to be a Christian songwriter and assist others in creating songs that can convey this incredible truth. The fundamental principle that guides Nashville Christian Songwriters is to spread the love of Jesus to every individual on Earth through our 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 also possible that you were deeply hurt by a significant loss. Many Christian songwriters I've spoken to have faced great adversity, such as abuse or divorce, and they are eager to learn how to express their pain and how God has helped them through it. James Finley suggests that while God doesn't shield us from hardship, He miraculously supports us through it all.
However, the question remains: how can we effectively express our personal experiences and stories through powerful and impactful songs?
Throughout our life, we experience both the joys and hardships that come our way. However, when it comes to expressing our personal stories and experiences through Christian music, how can we effectively convey our testimonies? I have three useful tips that I believe will assist you in reflecting on how to skillfully encapsulate your testimonials in a manner that resonates with listeners, providing them with solace, restoration, and optimism.
Begin by looking for a shared theme or element in your narrative that can resonate with a wide audience.
Most people have experienced loneliness or feeling lost at some point in their lives. By allowing people to relate to your story, you can effectively engage them in your song. Our own personal experiences are intertwined with the narratives we hear, and being able to connect our own stories with yours is what makes us truly connect and resonate with your music.
If there is nothing in your story that captures our attention and resonates with something we have personally experienced, we will lose interest. Becky Norquist, a friend of ours who graduated from NCS, went through the difficult journey of experiencing five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Through her music and ministry, she primarily focuses on providing support for grieving families. However, she also incorporates broader themes in her songs that can be relatable to anyone who has experienced any form of loss, which includes all of us. This allows listeners to connect with her music and continue to engage with it.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or sentiment rather than getting caught up in
The statement that stuck with me was made by Dave Clark, a well-known songwriter and publisher at Lillenas Music. It may seem contradictory at first, but it's not. The initial 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 won't benefit the listener. If you delve too much into specifics like locations, dates, names, or other unnecessary information, you may end up losing your audience's interest.
When you identify a shared theme or emotion in your story that I can connect with, it allows me to become engaged in your narrative. If the specific details of your story don't align with my own experiences, it may deter me from fully embracing it. Although it may seem challenging, it is possible to strike a balance between providing sufficient or excessive detail, focusing on your emotions during the difficult times, and ultimately highlighting the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
… a testimonial song is a type of song that highlights the victories and successes brought about by God in your personal life.
It is important to recognize the unique details in your own life that make your story personal and relatable. To assist in this, it can be helpful to find examples of songs that resonate with the emotions you want to convey and observe how the songwriters engage listeners in those feelings rather than simply listing specific details.
Next, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
When you're still feeling the pain and emotional wounds from a traumatic experience in your life, it can be difficult to authentically express it through a testimonial song. Expressing your pain in your lyrics can sometimes be seen as self-centered, unless you're writing a country song that revolves around heartbreak and sorrow. If that's your intention, go ahead and pursue it, but it's important to understand that it wouldn't be considered a genuine testimony, but rather a melancholic country song.
When considering your audience, it's important to acknowledge that they likely have their own struggles and problems to deal with. If you simply unload your own pain onto them, they may not be receptive for long. That's why therapists and journals exist – to provide a safe outlet for your dysfunction and hurts. 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 succeeded in creating an uplifting praise song called "My Testimony" that effectively conveys a broad Scripture-based message. Instead of writing a narrative about your childhood, it might be better to explore positive themes from Scripture that showcase God's healing power in overcoming negative experiences. There are numerous approaches to sharing your testimony, so it would be beneficial to explore different avenues before sharing your pain with others.
In summary, a testimonial song is a song that highlights how God has overcome challenges in your life. It is important, and even necessary, for your emotional well-being to have a release of emotions. You may also consider writing these songs for yourself, but it is important to differentiate between catharsis, which is a way of expressing and letting go of emotions, and testimonials, which celebrate God's victory over the difficulties you have faced and His ultimate triumph in your soul, regardless of the path taken.
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 are interested in finding free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are truly committed to 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 with us. This call is not binding and will help determine whether our program is suitable for you. Take the opportunity to schedule your free call here.
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