Personal Blog Post
Sharing My Journey to Finding Christ
Growing up in the tumultuous era of the 1960's and 70's, my childhood was far from perfect. Many would label it as "dysfunctional" now, but back then, it was just the way things were. Little did we know that our experiences would later be categorized with such a term. However, amidst the chaos, Jesus appeared in my life and brought about a transformation.
I went through a significant change when someone assisted me in discovering the overwhelming love that Jesus has for us, which is beyond words.
The photograph was taken by Laura E. Partain
In a single moment, my entire life was completely altered. This enduring love has been a source of strength and support for me for more than five decades, guiding me through both challenges and successes, as well as all the positive experiences. I firmly believe that the course of my life took a permanent shift when I first experienced God's love at the age of eighteen.
The reason for my presence and my actions is this. It is the motivation behind me being a songwriter who focuses on Christian music, aiming to assist others in composing songs that can convey this incredible truth. The fundamental principle that drives Nashville Christian Songwriters and all our various platforms like podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs, is to spread the message of Jesus' love to every individual on Earth.
Do you have a personal story to share?
Perhaps you experienced the love of God during your childhood in church, or maybe you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction. Others may have been deeply affected by a significant loss. We have spoken to numerous Christian songwriters who have experienced great pain, abuse, or divorce, and they are interested in our coaching programs to learn how to express their emotions and how God provided them with strength throughout their struggles. According to James Finley, God doesn't shield us from hardships but amazingly supports us through them.
However, the question remains: how can we effectively convey 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 our personal stories in Christian songs, how can we effectively communicate our testimonies? I have three suggestions that may assist you in considering how to artfully convey your experiences in a way that resonates with listeners, providing them with comfort, healing, and hope.
To begin with, attempt to discover a shared theme or element in your story that many individuals can relate to.
Loneliness and feeling lost are familiar emotions that we all encounter at some point. To connect with people through your story, it is essential to provide them with a relatable experience. It is important for listeners to find elements of their own lives within your narrative, allowing them to immerse themselves and develop an emotional attachment to your song.
If your story doesn't capture our attention and relate to something we've personally experienced, we will lose interest. One of our friends, Becky Norquist, who is a former student of NCS, went through the difficult experience of enduring five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Her music and ministry are centered around providing support for grieving families, but she also incorporates enough universal themes in her songs so that everyone, regardless of their personal experience with loss, can connect with her music and continue to be engaged with it.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or mood rather than getting caught up in
Dave Clark, a well-known songwriter and publisher at Lillenas Music, once shared a valuable insight that has stuck with me. Although it may seem contradictory at first, his advice actually makes sense. The initial step is to identify a central theme or emotion that will serve as the foundation for your song. The second point emphasizes the importance of not including irrelevant details in your lyrics that may confuse or disengage the listener. It is crucial to avoid getting excessively caught up in specific locations, timeframes, dates, names, or other particulars that could potentially alienate your audience.
When you identify the shared theme and emotion in your story that resonates with me, you welcome me into your narrative. If the specifics of your story don't align with mine, it can make me lose interest. It may seem challenging, but it is achievable. You can learn to find the right balance of providing sufficient or excessive details to focus on your emotions during the difficult experience, and then shift the focus towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
A testimonial song is a type of song that portrays the triumph of God in your personal experiences.
It is important to recognize the unique aspects of your own story that may not resonate with others. To aid in this, it can be helpful to look for examples of songs that capture the emotions 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.
If you are still feeling the emotional and physical pain caused by a traumatic event in your life, it can be challenging to create an authentic song that truly reflects your experience. Expressing your pain through lyrics can sometimes be perceived as self-centered, unless you are composing a country song that captures the essence of heartbreak. If that is your intention, then go ahead and pursue it, but be aware that it may not be seen as a genuine testimony, but rather just a melancholic country song.
When considering your audience, it's important to remember that they likely have their own struggles and difficulties to contend with. If you simply unload your own pain onto them, they may not be inclined to listen for very long. This is why professionals like therapists and journals exist – they serve as a safe space for you to express and work through your issues. 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 successfully created an uplifting praise song called "My Testimony" that effectively conveys a broad message rooted in Scripture. Instead of focusing on writing a song about your personal childhood experiences, it could be more beneficial to explore positive Scriptural themes that highlight God's ability to heal and overcome negative circumstances. There are numerous approaches to sharing your testimony, so it would be wise to consider alternative methods before delving into your personal pain.
In summary, a testimonial song is one that expresses how God has overcome challenges in your life. It is crucial for your emotional well-being to experience catharsis. It might be beneficial for you to write these songs for yourself as well, but it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonials. Catharsis involves releasing emotions, while testimonials celebrate God's triumph over the difficulties you have faced and His ultimate victory in your inner being, regardless of the path taken.
In our NCS Pro Song Mastery program, which lasts for eight weeks and is conducted online, we delve into various aspects of songwriting, including testimony songs, and much more. While many individuals may be seeking free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are truly dedicated to advancing your songwriting skills and feel a deep calling to establish your ministry, you can use the provided link to schedule a free phone call. During this call, there is no obligation, and it serves as an opportunity to determine if our program aligns with your goals and aspirations. Take the first step by scheduling your free call here.
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