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Sharing Your Personal Experience
I discovered my faith in Jesus during a challenging upbringing that is often referred to as "dysfunctional" nowadays. However, during the 1960s and '70s, it was simply the norm for us. We had no idea that there would be a label for the difficulties we faced, but somehow, Jesus made a significant impact on my life.
My life went through a significant change when someone assisted me in experiencing the indescribable love of Jesus for the very first time.
The photo was taken by Laura E. Partain
In a single moment, my entire life was completely disrupted. This enduring love has been my source of strength for more than five decades, guiding me through both the highs and lows, the successes and sorrows, and all the positive experiences as well. My personal account is that the course of my life was permanently altered when I first experienced the love of God at the age of eighteen.
The reason for my presence and the motivation behind my actions is rooted in this. This is why I pursue a career as a Christian songwriter and aim to assist others in creating songs that can effectively convey this incredible truth. The fundamental principle that drives Nashville Christian Songwriters is the unconditional love of Jesus, and all of our podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs are dedicated to spreading this love to every individual on Earth.
Do you have a personal story to share?
Perhaps you experienced the love of God during your childhood church experiences, or maybe you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction. It could also be that you were deeply hurt by a significant loss in your life. Many Christian songwriters who have gone through immense pain, abuse, or divorce have approached us about our coaching programs. They are eager to learn how to express their anguish and the ways in which God has supported them through their struggles. James Finley once said, "God does not shield us from difficulties, but rather miraculously sustains us through them all."
However, the question remains on how we can effectively express our personal experiences and stories through exceptional musical compositions. How can we convey the depth and significance of our testimonies in
Throughout our lives, we experience both the highs and lows. However, when it comes to expressing our personal stories through Christian music, it can be challenging. To assist you in effectively capturing your testimonies in songs that resonate with listeners and provide them with comfort, healing, and hope, I have three tips to share.
To begin with, attempt to discover a shared theme or element in your narrative that many individuals can relate to.
It is a common experience for people to feel lonely or lost at times. To connect with your audience, it is important to make them relate to your story. By incorporating elements of our shared experiences, we allow listeners to fill in the gaps with their own narratives, which can help them develop a strong emotional connection with your song.
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 at 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 kind of loss – which includes all of us – can find something relatable and stay engaged with her music.
Next, focus on depicting the feeling rather than the specific elements.
I was once told by Dave Clark, a well-known songwriter and publisher at Lillenas Music, that it's important to remember this advice. It may seem contradictory at first, 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 and unhelpful details in your song that could confuse or disengage your listener. If you delve too deeply into specifics like locations, dates, names, or other irrelevant information, there is a chance that your audience might lose interest.
When you identify the shared theme and emotion in your story that I can connect with, you encourage me to engage with your song. If the specific details you provide don't align with my own experiences, it may deter my interest. Although it may seem challenging, it is possible to strike the right balance of providing sufficient or excessive detail in order to focus on your emotions during the difficult situation, and then shift the narrative towards God's redemptive intervention in your life.
…a song of testimony is a song that illustrates the ways in which God has brought success and victory into your life.
It is important to recognize the specific details in your own story that are unique to you and may not resonate with others. One helpful approach is to look for examples of the type of song you want to write and observe how the writers effectively engage listeners by evoking emotions rather than simply listing details.
Thirdly, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
When you are still emotionally affected by a traumatic experience, it can be challenging to authentically express it through a testimonial song. Sharing your pain through lyrics can sometimes be seen as self-centered, unless you are composing a classic country song that reflects on sorrow. If that is your intention, then go ahead and pursue it, but understand that it may not be considered a genuine testimony, but rather a melancholic country song.
When considering your audience, it's important to recognize that they likely have their own struggles to contend with. If you simply unload your own pain onto them, they might not be willing to listen for very long. That's why therapists and journals exist – to provide a place for you to express and work through your issues. It's crucial to think about how your lyrics will impact your listeners. What kind of emotional space are you creating for them? How will they feel after hearing your song?
I believe that Brandon Lake and the Elevation Worship team have done an excellent job in creating the uplifting praise song "My Testimony" that conveys a broad message based on Scripture. Instead of writing a song solely about your childhood experiences, it might be more effective to focus on positive Scriptural themes that illustrate God's healing power over any negativity. There are numerous ways to express your testimony, so it would be beneficial to explore alternative approaches before sharing your personal pain with others.
In summary, a testimonial song is one that reflects how God has achieved success in one's life. It is crucial for one's emotional well-being to experience catharsis. It might be beneficial to write such songs for oneself as well, but it is important to note the distinction between catharsis and testimonials. Catharsis involves releasing emotions, while testimonials highlight God's triumph over difficult experiences and ultimate victory in one's inner self, regardless of the path taken to reach that point.
In our eight-week online coaching and mentoring program called NCS Pro Song Mastery, we delve into the art of writing testimony songs and explore many other aspects of songwriting. While many individuals seek out free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are truly committed to enhancing your songwriting skills and feel a deep calling to develop your ministry, you can use the provided link to arrange a free phone call. This call will give you the opportunity to determine if our program is suitable for you, with no obligations attached. You can schedule your free call by clicking here.
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