Personal Blog
Sharing My Personal Experience
I found solace in Christianity after growing up in a challenging environment that is now commonly referred to as "dysfunctional." However, during the tumultuous years of the 1960s and 1970s, my family and I were simply navigating through life without realizing that our experiences would be labeled as such. Nevertheless, Jesus played a significant role in transforming my life.
My life underwent a profound change when I received assistance in establishing a deep connection with the indescribable affection that Jesus possesses.
The picture was taken by Laura E. Partain
In just a moment, my entire life was completely transformed. This love that I experienced has been my source of strength and support for more than five decades, guiding me through all the highs and lows, the successes and sorrows, and even the joyful moments. I can confidently say that my life took a different path when I first felt the love of God at the age of eighteen.
The reason I continue to exist and pursue my passion is because of this. It motivates me to be a Christian songwriter and assist others in creating songs that can capture the incredible truth of this reality. The main principle that guides Nashville Christian Songwriters and all of our platforms, including podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs, is to spread the love of Jesus to every individual on Earth.
What is your personal experience with God?
Perhaps you experienced God's love while attending church as a child, or you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction. Alternatively, you may have been deeply affected by a significant loss in your life. Many Christian songwriters who have faced immense hardships, such as abuse, divorce, or grief, have expressed interest in our coaching programs. They seek to learn how to convey their pain and how God has provided them with strength and support throughout their struggles. James Finley suggests that although God does not shield us from hardships, He miraculously sustains us through them.
However, the question remains: how can we effectively express our personal experiences and stories through powerful musical compositions? How can we effectively convey our testimonies through exceptional songs?
Throughout our lives, we experience both the positive and negative aspects of life. However, when it comes to expressing our personal stories as Christians through music, how can we effectively convey our testimonies? Here are three suggestions that may assist you in considering the most impactful ways to capture your testimonials in Christian songs. The aim is to create music that resonates with listeners, providing them with comfort, healing, and hope.
Start by identifying a shared element in your story that many individuals can relate to.
Loneliness and feeling lost are familiar emotions that everyone can relate to at times. By allowing people to connect with your story, you create an opportunity to engage them in your song. It is important to incorporate elements of our own experiences into your narrative, allowing us to personally connect and develop a deeper connection with your story.
If your story fails to capture our attention and resonate with something we have personally experienced, we will lose interest. Becky Norquist, a former student of NCS and our friend, has endured five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Her music and ministry primarily target grieving families, but she also incorporates enough universal themes in her songs to allow anyone who has experienced any form of loss – all of us – to connect and remain engaged with her music.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or mood rather than getting caught up in
I was introduced to Dave Clark, a well-known songwriter and publisher from Lillenas Music, who shared a valuable piece of advice that has stuck with me. It may seem contradictory at first, but it actually complements the first point. The initial point emphasizes the importance of identifying a central theme or emotion to base your song on. However, this second point advises against including unnecessary details in your song that may confuse or distract the listener. Going into excessive specifics such as location, time, dates, names, or other irrelevant information can potentially alienate the audience.
When you are able to identify the shared theme and emotion in your story that resonates with me, you make me feel included in your narrative. If the specific details of your story do not align with mine, it may alienate me. Although it may seem challenging, it is possible to achieve. You can learn to find the right amount of details, neither too excessive nor too minimal, to focus on the emotions you experienced during a difficult situation and then direct it towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
A testimonial song is a type of song that showcases how God has achieved victory in your life.
It is important to keep in mind the unique details of your own story that are not visible to others. To enhance your songwriting, you can look for examples of songs that convey the emotions you want to evoke and observe how the songwriters engage listeners by creating an emotional experience rather than simply listing details.
Next, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
If you are still feeling emotionally wounded and in pain due to a traumatic experience, it can be challenging to authentically express your feelings through a testimonial song. Often, when you pour your heart out in the lyrics, it may come across as self-centered, unless you are specifically writing a country song that evokes a sense of sadness. If that is your intention, then go ahead and pursue it, but it is important to recognize that it is not 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 and challenges to overcome. If you unload your own problems onto them, they may not be inclined to listen for long. This is why therapists and journals exist – to provide a space where you can address your own issues and pain. 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?
I believe that Brandon Lake and the Elevation Worship team have done an excellent job creating an uplifting praise song called "My Testimony" that effectively conveys a message rooted in Scripture. Instead of writing a song about your personal childhood experiences, it may be more beneficial to focus on positive Scriptural themes that highlight God's healing power over all the negative aspects of life. There are numerous approaches to conveying your testimony, so it would be worth considering exploring different avenues before sharing your pain with others.
In summary, a testimonial song is a song that reflects how God has succeeded in your life. Expressing and releasing emotions is crucial for your emotional well-being. It may be beneficial for you to write such songs for yourself as well, but it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonials. Catharsis is a way of unloading emotions, while testimonials celebrate God's triumph over the challenges you have faced, highlighting 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 explore the depths of testimony songs and various other aspects. While many individuals seek free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are determined to enhance your songwriting skills and have a strong desire to establish your ministry, you can click on the provided link to schedule a free phone call. This call entails no obligations and will help determine if this program aligns with your needs and aspirations. Take the opportunity to schedule your free call here.
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