Personal Blog
Sharing from My Own Experience
I discovered my faith in Christ during a challenging upbringing that is now described as "dysfunctional." However, back then, it was just the reality of growing up during the tumultuous period of the 1960s and '70s. We were unaware that our experiences would later be labeled with a specific term, but somehow Jesus played a significant role in transforming my life.
I underwent a profound change when someone assisted me in discovering the incomprehensible affection of Jesus for the very first time.
The picture was taken by Laura E. Partain
In a single moment, my entire life was completely transformed. This love that I experienced has been the driving force behind my existence for more than five decades, guiding me through both the highs and lows, the successes and failures, and even the moments of joy. I can confidently say that the course of my life took a permanent turn when I first felt the immense love of God at the age of eighteen.
The reason I continue to exist and the motivation behind my work is my belief in something greater. This is why I choose to be a Christian songwriter, as I strive to help others create songs that can convey the extraordinary reality of this belief. The fundamental principle that drives Nashville Christian Songwriters is to spread the love of Jesus to every individual on Earth, which is the purpose behind all of our podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs.
What is your personal story of faith? It could be that you experienced God's love while attending church as a child, or perhaps you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction. Maybe you have been deeply hurt by a significant loss in your life. Many Christian songwriters who have faced immense pain, abuse, or divorce have expressed interest in our coaching programs. They want to learn how to convey their pain through their music and how God has provided them with strength throughout their struggles. James Finley suggests that although God does not shield us from hardships, He miraculously supports us through them.
However, the question remains: how can we effectively express our personal experiences and stories through powerful and impactful songs?
Throughout our lives, we experience both the good and the bad. However, when it comes to expressing our personal stories in Christian songs, how can we effectively convey our testimonies? Here are three suggestions that I believe will assist you in contemplating the best approach to capturing your personal experiences in a way that resonates with listeners, providing them with comfort, healing, and hope.
To begin, attempt to discover a shared theme or element in your narrative 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 for them to become engaged in your song. It is important for our own experiences to resonate within your narrative, allowing us to fill in the gaps with our own personal stories, ultimately leading us to develop a fondness for yours.
If there isn't anything in your story that captures our attention and resonates with our own experiences, we will lose interest. Becky Norquist, a friend of ours who attended NCS, went through the painful experience of five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Her music and ministry are centered around providing support for grieving families, but she also incorporates universal themes in her songs that allow anyone who has experienced any kind of loss – which includes all of us – to relate to and remain engaged with her music.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or sentiment rather than getting caught up in
Dave Clark, a well-known songwriter and publisher from Lillenas Music, once shared a valuable piece of advice that has stuck with me. Despite sounding contradictory, it actually complements the first point. The initial point emphasizes the importance of finding a central theme or emotion to base your song on. The second point advises against including unnecessary details in your song that may not be beneficial to the listener. If you delve too much into specifics like locations, dates, names, or other intricate details, there is a possibility of losing the listener's interest.
When you identify the shared theme and emotion in your story that I can connect with, you are welcoming me to be a part of your narrative. If the specifics of your story don't align with my own experiences, it may discourage me. However, it is possible to achieve this connection. You can learn to find the right amount of detail that focuses on your personal emotions during your struggles, and then shift the narrative towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
…a testimonial song is a musical expression that highlights the ways in which God has achieved victory in your personal experiences.
It is important to remember that there are certain details in your story that are unique to you and others may not be able to relate to them. To help with this, it can be helpful to look for examples of songs that are similar to the one you want to write and observe how the writers engage listeners in an emotion rather than simply recounting specific details.
Next, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
If you are still emotionally affected and in pain from a traumatic experience, it can be challenging to create an authentic song that reflects your true feelings. Expressing your raw emotions through lyrics can sometimes be seen as self-centered, unless you are specifically writing a country song that embraces sadness. If that is your intention, go ahead and pursue it, but understand that it is not a genuine testimony. Instead, it becomes a melancholic country song.
When considering your audience, it's important to acknowledge that they likely have their own struggles and challenges to face. If you simply unload your own pain onto them, they may not be willing to listen for very long. This is why professionals like therapists and personal journals exist – they serve as a safe outlet for your dysfunction and hurts. 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 done an excellent job creating a lively and uplifting praise song called "My Testimony" that conveys a universal message based on Scripture. Instead of writing a song about your childhood experiences, it might be more beneficial to focus on positive themes from the Scriptures that highlight the transformative power of God in overcoming adversity. There are countless ways to express your personal testimony, so it would be wise to explore different approaches before delving into your painful experiences.
In summary, a testimonial song is one that illustrates the triumph of God 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 understand the distinction between the two types. Catharsis involves releasing emotions, while testimonials celebrate God's victory over the challenges you have faced and His ultimate triumph within your soul, regardless of the path taken.
In our NCS Pro Song Mastery program, which lasts for eight weeks and is conducted online, we delve into the art of creating testimony songs and much more. While many individuals may be seeking free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are truly committed to advancing your songwriting skills and have a strong desire to establish your ministry, you can click on the provided link to arrange a free and non-binding phone call. This call will help you determine if our program is suitable for your needs. You can schedule your free call by clicking here.
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