Personal Testimony in Blog Writing
My journey to finding faith in Christ began during a challenging upbringing that is commonly referred to as "dysfunctional" today. However, during the tumultuous period of the 1960s and '70s, my family and I simply considered it as a normal part of life. Unaware that there would be a specific term to describe our experiences, Jesus somehow intervened in my life and changed everything.
My life underwent a profound change when someone assisted me in discovering the ineffable affection that Jesus possesses.
Image captured 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 fifty years, encompassing both the highs and lows, the successes and hardships, as well as the positive experiences. I can confidently declare that the course of my life was forever altered when I first experienced the overwhelming love of God at the age of eighteen.
The reason I continue to be present and engaged is because of this. It is the driving force behind my actions and choices. This is why I have chosen to pursue a career as a Christian songwriter, with the intention of aiding others in creating songs that can effectively capture the essence of this incredible reality. The fundamental principle that guides Nashville Christian Songwriters and all of our various platforms, such as podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs, is 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 during your childhood church experiences, 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 I have spoken to express interest in our coaching programs because they have experienced great pain, abuse, or divorce, and they want to learn how to express their emotions and how God has supported them through it all. According to James Finley, God doesn't shield us from hardships, but rather miraculously helps us endure them.
However, is there a way to effectively express our personal experiences and stories through powerful and impactful music? However, is there a method to effectively convey our personal anecdotes and accounts
In our journey through life, we experience both the highs and lows. However, when it comes to expressing our personal experiences through Christian music, how can we effectively convey our testimonies? I have three suggestions that might assist you in reflecting on how to authentically capture your own stories in a way that resonates with listeners, providing them with solace, restoration, and optimism.
To begin with, attempt to discover a shared theme in your narrative that resonates with a wide range of individuals.
Feeling lonely or lost is a common experience that everyone can relate to. By incorporating elements that people can connect with in your story, you can effectively engage them in your song. It is important to include aspects of our own personal experiences so that we can emotionally connect and resonate with your story. This allows us to fill in the gaps with our own narrative and truly appreciate and connect with your music.
If there is nothing in your story that captures our attention and resonates with our own experiences, we will lose interest. Our acquaintance and former student of NCS, Becky Norquist, went through the painful experience of having five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Her music and ministry are centered around supporting grieving families, but she also incorporates enough universal themes in her songs so that anyone who has experienced any form of loss – which includes all of us – can find something relatable and continue to engage with her music.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or mood rather than getting caught up in
I was introduced to the concept by Dave Clark, a well-known songwriter and publisher at Lillenas Music, and it has stuck with me ever since. At first, it may seem contradictory, but it's not. The initial point is to discover a central theme or emotion to base your song on. The second point is to avoid including unnecessary details in your song that wouldn't be helpful to your audience. If you delve too deeply into specifics like locations, dates, names, or other particulars, there's a chance of losing the listener's interest.
When you identify the shared theme and emotion in your story that I can connect with, you encourage me to become a part of your story. If the specific details don't align with my own experiences, it might deter me. It may seem challenging, but it is possible. You can learn to find the right amount of detail that focuses on your emotions during the difficult time and then shift towards the redemptive aspect of God intervening in your life.
… a testimony song is a song that demonstrates how God achieved victory in your life.
It is important to recognize the unique details in your own story that may not be relatable to others. To assist in writing a song, it can be helpful to study examples of songs that evoke emotions in listeners rather than simply listing specific details.
Next, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
If you have recently experienced a traumatic event that has left you emotionally and physically scarred, it can be challenging to create a genuine and authentic song that reflects your experience. Expressing your pain and vulnerability through lyrics can sometimes be perceived as self-centered, unless you are aiming to create a country song that captures the essence of heartbreak and sorrow. If that is your intention, then you should pursue it, but it's important to understand that it won't be considered a testimony, but rather a melancholic country song.
When you prioritize your audience, it becomes apparent that they likely have their own problems to handle. If you simply unload your own issues onto them, they may not pay attention for very long. This is why therapists and journals exist – they are meant to serve as an outlet for your dysfunction and emotional pain. It is important to think about how your lyrics will impact your listeners. What kind of emotional space are you inviting them into? How will they feel after hearing your song?
I believe that Brandon Lake and the Elevation Worship team have done an excellent job with their uplifting worship song called "My Testimony" by conveying a message that is based on Scripture and applicable to a wide audience. Instead of creating a song that tells a story about your personal childhood experiences, it might be more effective to focus on positive Biblical themes that showcase how God's healing power can overcome any negative circumstances. There are countless ways to express your testimony, so I encourage you to explore different approaches before sharing your pain with others.
In summary, a testimonial song is one that illustrates how God has overcome obstacles in your life. It is crucial for your emotional well-being to experience catharsis. It might be beneficial for you to write songs for your own personal cathartic release, but it is important to recognize the distinction between catharsis and testimonials. Testimonials highlight God's triumph over the challenges you have faced and the ultimate victory He has achieved within your soul, regardless of the path you took to reach it.
In our NCS Pro Song Mastery program, which takes place over eight weeks and is conducted online, we delve into the art of writing testimony songs and much more. While many individuals seek out free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are eager to enhance your songwriting skills and have a deep desire to establish your ministry, you can click on the provided link to arrange a free phone call. This call will allow you to determine if our program is suitable for your needs and there is no obligation to commit. To schedule your free call, please click here.
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