Personal Testimony in Blog Writing
My journey towards Christianity began during my challenging childhood, which society now refers to as "dysfunctional." However, at that time, it was just a typical life during the tumultuous 1960s and 1970s. Unaware that our experiences would later be given a specific label, Jesus somehow entered my life and made a significant impact.
My life underwent a profound change when someone guided me to experience the overwhelming love of Jesus, which is beyond words.
The photo was taken by Laura E. Partain
In a split second, my entire life took a dramatic turn. This love that I experienced has been my source of strength for more than five decades, guiding me through all the challenges, victories, losses, and joyful moments. The profound impact of God's love became evident to me when I first felt it at the age of eighteen, altering the course of my life forever.
The thing that keeps me going and motivates me in my work is the reason I am here. It is the driving force behind my career as a Christian songwriter and my desire to assist others in crafting songs that can convey this incredible truth. The fundamental belief of Nashville Christian Songwriters is to spread the love of Jesus to every individual on Earth, which is why we offer podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs.
What is your personal story of faith? It could be that you experienced God's love during your childhood church days, or perhaps you turned to Him later in life due to addiction. It's also possible that you were deeply hurt by a significant loss. In our coaching programs, we often encounter Christian songwriters who have endured immense pain, abuse, or divorce, and they are seeking ways to express their struggles and how God helped them through it. James Finley believes that while God doesn't shield us from hardships, He miraculously supports us through them.
However, the question remains – how can we effectively convey our personal experiences and stories through powerful and impactful songs? How can we effectively capture our testimonies in great songs?
Throughout our lives, 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? Here are three tips that may assist you in considering how to effectively capture your own testimonies in a way that resonates with listeners and offers them comfort, healing, and hope.
Initially, attempt to discover a shared element or theme within your narrative that a large number of individuals can relate to.
Loneliness and feeling lost are familiar emotions that most people can relate to. To truly connect with others through your story, it is important to provide them with a sense of identification. By incorporating elements of our own experiences, we are able to engage with your narrative and become emotionally invested.
If your story doesn't capture our attention and resonate with something we have personally experienced, we will lose interest. Becky Norquist, a former student of NCS and a close friend of ours, went through the painful experience of five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Her songs and ministry are dedicated to supporting families who are grieving, but she also incorporates broader themes in her music that allow anyone who has experienced any kind of loss – which includes all of us – to connect with her songs and remain engaged.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or mood rather than getting caught up in
The statement that stuck with me was made by Dave Clark, a highly productive songwriter and publisher at Lillenas Music. This may seem contradictory, but it's not. The initial point is to identify a shared theme or emotion as the foundation for your song. The second point is to refrain from including irrelevant details in your song that would not benefit the listener. Going into excessive specifics about places, times, dates, names, or other unnecessary information could potentially disconnect the audience.
When you are able to 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 of your story do not align with my own experiences, it can deter me. Although it may seem challenging, it is possible to strike a balance between providing enough or excessive detail in order to focus on your emotions during the difficult situation and ultimately shift towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
… a song of testimony is one that reveals the ways in which God has achieved victory in your life.
It is important to remember that there may be certain details in your story that are unique to you and that others may not be able to relate to. To overcome this, it can be helpful to seek out examples of songs that capture the same emotions you want to convey and observe how the songwriters engage listeners in those emotions rather than simply listing specific details.
Next, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
If you are still emotionally affected by a traumatic experience, it can be challenging to write a genuine song that reflects your personal testimony. Expressing your pain excessively in your lyrics may be seen as self-centered, unless you are creating a country song that embraces sadness. If that is your intention, then go ahead and pursue it, but be aware that it is not a true testament to your experiences. It would simply be a melancholic country song.
When considering your audience, it's important to recognize that they likely have their own problems to face. If you unload all of your issues onto them, they may not be willing to listen for very long. This is why therapists and journals exist – they provide a safe space for you to express your pain and troubles. It's crucial to think about how your lyrics will impact your listeners. What kind of emotional state are you inviting them into? 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 that focuses on your personal childhood experiences, it might be more beneficial to explore positive biblical themes that highlight God's ability to heal and overcome negative situations. There are numerous approaches to sharing your testimony, so it would be worthwhile to explore alternative avenues before delving into the depths of your pain.
In summary, a testimonial song is a song that reflects how God has been victorious in your life. It is crucial for your emotional well-being to experience catharsis. It may be beneficial for you to write these songs for yourself as well, but it is important to recognize the distinction between catharsis and testimonials. Catharsis involves releasing and letting go, while testimonials celebrate God's triumph over the challenges you have faced and His ultimate victory in your inner being, regardless of the path you took to get there.
In our eight-week online coaching and mentoring program called NCS Pro Song Mastery, we delve into the art of testimony songs and much more. While many people are interested in free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are eager to take your songwriting skills to the next level and have a strong desire to develop your ministry, you can use this link to schedule a free phone call with us. This call has no obligations and is aimed at determining if our program is suitable for you. Book your free call now.
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