Personal Testimony in Blog Writing
My childhood was filled with difficulties and challenges that are now referred to as "dysfunctional." However, during the tumultuous period of the 1960s and 1970s, my family and I were simply navigating through life without realizing the significance or label attached to our experiences. Despite this, Jesus played a crucial role in intervening and transforming my life.
My life went through a significant change when someone assisted me in establishing a deep connection with the incomprehensible love that Jesus possesses.
The photograph was taken by Laura E. Partain
In a split second, my entire life was completely transformed. This very love has kept me going for more than five decades, supporting me during all the highs and lows, the successes and sorrows, and even the positive moments. I can confidently say that the course of my life was permanently altered when I experienced God's love for the first time at the age of eighteen.
The reason for my existence and the motivation behind my actions is this particular belief. This belief drives me to be a Christian songwriter and assist others in crafting songs that can effectively convey this incredible truth. The fundamental principle that guides Nashville Christian Songwriters, as well as all our podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs, is to spread the message of Jesus' love for every individual on Earth.
What is your personal story of faith? It could be that you experienced God's love during your childhood church visits, or you turned to Him as an adult to overcome an addiction. It's also possible that you went through a heartbreaking loss that shattered you. In our coaching programs, we have spoken to numerous Christian songwriters who have experienced immense pain, abuse, or divorce, and they were interested in learning how to express their struggles and how God supported them through it all. As James Finley puts it, God doesn't shield us from hardships, but He miraculously gives us the strength to endure them.
However, the question remains: How can we effectively convey our personal experiences and stories through impactful and memorable songs?
In our journey through life, we experience both the highs and lows. However, when it comes to expressing our personal stories through Christian music, it can be challenging. Here are three helpful tips to consider when trying to effectively convey your testimonies in songs that will resonate with listeners and provide them with comfort, healing, and hope.
Initially, attempt to discover a shared theme or element in your narrative that resonates with a large number of individuals.
Loneliness and feeling lost are common emotions that everyone can relate to at times. To captivate and engage people with your story, it is crucial to provide elements that they can connect with. By incorporating aspects of our collective experiences, we can allow individuals to personalize and connect their own narratives with yours, thus fostering an emotional connection and potentially making them resonate with your story.
If there is nothing in your story that captures our attention and resonates with something we have personally experienced, we will lose interest. Our acquaintance and former student of NCS, Becky Norquist, went through the heartbreaking experience of five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Her music and ministry are primarily centered around supporting families who are grieving, but she also incorporates enough universal themes in her songs that anyone who has experienced any type of loss – which includes all of us – can relate to and continue to engage with her music.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or mood rather than getting caught up in
The statement I am referring to was made by Dave Clark, a well-known songwriter and publisher at Lillenas Music. This statement has stuck with me because it may seem contradictory at first, but it is actually not. The initial point is to identify a central theme or emotion to base your song on. The second point is to avoid including unnecessary details in your song that may not be beneficial to the listener. If you delve too much into specifics like locations, time, dates, names, or other intricate details, you may risk losing the interest of your audience.
When you identify the shared theme and emotion in your story that resonates with me, you allow me to connect with your song. If your specific details do not align with mine, it can deter me. Although it may seem challenging, it is possible. You can learn to find the right amount of detail that focuses on your emotions during the difficult experience and then shift the narrative towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
… a testimonial song is a song that depicts the ways in which God has achieved victory in your life.
It is important to recognize the unique details in your own story that we may not be able to relate to. To assist in writing a song, it can be helpful to look for examples of songs that evoke certain emotions and observe how the songwriters engage the listeners rather than simply listing 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 in your life, it can be challenging to authentically express it through a testimonial song. Sharing your raw emotions in your lyrics can sometimes be seen as self-centered, unless you are writing a country song that reflects on personal sorrow. If that is your intention, go ahead and pursue it, but it's important to recognize that it may not be considered a true testimony, but rather a melancholic country song.
When considering your audience, it is important to acknowledge that they likely have their own challenges and difficulties to face. If you simply unload your own problems onto them, they may lose interest quickly. This is why therapists and journals exist – they are meant to be a safe outlet for you to unload your struggles and pain. It is crucial to think about how your lyrics will affect 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 based on Scripture. Instead of writing a song about your personal childhood experiences, it might be more beneficial to focus on Scriptural themes that showcase the transformative and healing power of God in overcoming any negative aspects of life. There are countless approaches to express your own testimony, so it would be worthwhile to explore alternative methods before sharing your pain with others.
In summary, a testimonial song is a song that demonstrates how God has achieved victory in your life. It is crucial for your emotional well-being to experience catharsis. You may consider writing these songs for yourself as well, but it is important to distinguish between the two types. Catharsis involves releasing pent-up emotions, 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 NCS Pro Song Mastery program, which is an eight-week online coaching and mentoring experience, we delve into testimony songs and various other topics. While many individuals prefer free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are eager to enhance your songwriting skills and have a strong desire to develop your ministry, you can click on the provided link to arrange a free phone call. This call does not require any commitment and is simply an opportunity to determine if this program is suitable for you. Reserve your free call by scheduling it here.
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