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Sharing from Your Own Life Story
I found my way to Christ after experiencing a difficult childhood that is now referred to as "dysfunctional." However, during the chaotic times of the 1960s and 1970s, my family and I were simply living our lives without realizing the significance of our struggles. Nevertheless, Jesus somehow entered my life and made a difference.
My life underwent a significant change when someone assisted me in experiencing the unimaginable affection that Jesus has for me.
The photograph is credited to Laura E. Partain
In a split second, my entire life was completely transformed. This very same love has been my source of strength and support for more than five decades, carrying me through the highs and lows, the successes and sorrows, as well as the joys. I can confidently say that the course of my life was permanently altered when I experienced God's love for the very first time at the age of eighteen.
The reason for my presence and my dedication lies in this. It is what motivates me to pursue my career as a songwriter with a Christian perspective, aiming to assist others in creating songs that can convey the profound truth of this remarkable reality. It serves as the fundamental principle behind Nashville Christian Songwriters, driving our podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs, all of which are dedicated to spreading the love of Jesus to every individual on Earth.
What is your personal story or experience with God? Perhaps you experienced God's love when you were a child attending church, or maybe you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction. It's also possible that you have been deeply hurt by a significant loss. I have had conversations with numerous Christian songwriters who have faced immense pain, abuse, or divorce and are interested in our coaching programs. They want to learn how to effectively express their pain and how God has provided them with strength throughout their struggles. James Finley once stated that while God does not shield us from hardships, He miraculously supports us through every circumstance.
However, the question remains: How can we effectively express our personal experiences and stories through impactful songs? How can we effectively capture our testimonies in truly remarkable songs?
Throughout our lives, we experience both the highs and lows. However, when it comes to expressing our personal experiences through Christian music, it can be challenging. To assist you in effectively capturing your testimonies in songs that will resonate with listeners and provide them with solace, restoration, and optimism, here are three valuable tips.
To begin with, attempt to discover a shared element in your narrative that many individuals can relate to.
Loneliness and feeling lost are common experiences that everyone can relate to at some point. By sharing a story that resonates with people, you can effectively engage them in your music. It is important to connect with listeners by incorporating elements of their own experiences into your narrative, allowing them to connect the dots and truly appreciate your story.
If there isn't anything in your story that captures our attention and resonates with our own experiences, we will lose interest. One of our friends, Becky Norquist, who is a former student of our school, has gone through the difficult experience of enduring five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Her music and ministry are centered around supporting families who are grieving, but she also incorporates enough universal themes in her songs that anyone who has experienced any form of loss – which includes all of us – can find something relatable and continue to connect with her music.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or mood rather than getting caught up in
I was introduced to the concept by Dave Clark, a well-known songwriter and publisher at Lillenas Music, and it has stuck with me ever since. At first glance, it may seem contradictory to the previous point, but it isn't. The first point emphasizes the importance of selecting a central theme or emotion to base your song on. On the other hand, the second point advises against including unnecessary details in your song that may confuse or disengage the listener. If you delve too deeply into specifics such as locations, dates, names, or other intricate details, there is a risk of losing the audience's attention.
When you identify the shared connection and shared feeling in your story that I can understand, you welcome me into your narrative. If your specific experiences don't align with mine, it may discourage me. It may seem challenging, but it is achievable. You can learn to find the right amount of detail to focus on conveying your emotions during the challenging times and then shift the focus towards how God's intervention brought redemption for you.
A testimonial song is a type of song that depicts the ways in which God has achieved victory in your life.
It is important to recognize the unique details that pertain to your personal experiences, which may not resonate with others. To assist in your songwriting process, it can be helpful to study examples of songs that convey the emotions you wish to express, observing how the writers engage listeners by evoking emotions rather than simply listing specific details.
Thirdly, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
When you are still feeling the emotional pain and suffering caused by a traumatic experience, it can be challenging to create a genuine song that serves as a testimonial to that event. Expressing your pain too intensely in your lyrics can often be viewed as self-centered, unless you are writing a traditional country song that focuses on heartbreak. If that is your intention, then you should pursue it, but it is important to recognize that it is not a genuine testimony, but rather a sorrowful country song.
When considering your audience, it is important to recognize that they likely have their own share of difficulties to handle. If you simply unload your own problems onto them, they may not be willing to listen for very long. This is why therapists and journals exist – they are designed to be a receptacle for your personal struggles and pains. It is crucial to think about how your lyrics will affect your listeners. What kind of emotional state 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 with their uplifting praise song "My Testimony" by conveying a message that is based on Scripture and relatable to a wider audience. Instead of writing a song about your specific childhood experiences, it might be more effective to focus on positive themes from the Bible that highlight how God's healing power can overcome negative aspects of life. There are many different approaches to sharing your testimony, so it would be beneficial to explore alternative ways before delving into personal pain in your song.
In conclusion, a testimonial song is a song that reflects how God has overcome challenges in your life. It is important for your emotional well-being to have a release or expression of emotions. It might be beneficial for you to write these songs for yourself as well, but keep in mind that there is a distinction between catharsis and testimonial songs. Catharsis is a way of releasing emotions, while testimonials acknowledge and celebrate God's victory over the difficult experiences you have faced, ultimately bringing triumph to your soul regardless of the path taken.
In our NCS Pro Song Mastery program, which lasts for eight weeks and takes place online, we delve into the art of writing testimony songs and much more. While many individuals are only looking for free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are truly committed to advancing your songwriting skills and have a deep desire to develop your ministry, please click on the provided link to arrange a free phone call. This call does not require any commitment from you and is solely meant to determine if our program is the right fit for your needs. You can schedule your free call by following this link.
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