Personal Blog
Sharing My Testimony
I found my faith in Christ during a difficult upbringing that is commonly referred to as "dysfunctional" by society. However, back then, it was simply the norm for us during the tumultuous period of the 1960s and '70s. At that time, we were unaware that our experiences would be labeled as such, but miraculously, Jesus entered my life and made a difference.
My life went through a profound change when someone assisted me in establishing a connection with the indescribable affection that Jesus possesses for all.
The image was captured by Laura E. Partain
In a blink of an eye, my entire life took a drastic turn. This love I have experienced has been my source of strength and support for more than half a century, guiding me through both challenging and joyous times. The turning point in my life occurred when I first felt the love of God at the age of eighteen, and it has forever altered the course of my journey.
The reason for my existence and the motivation behind my work is the love of Jesus. As a Christian songwriter, my goal is to assist you in creating songs that can convey this incredible reality. The foundation of Nashville Christian Songwriters and all of our platforms, such as podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs, is to spread the love of Jesus to every individual on Earth.
What is your personal story of faith? Perhaps you experienced the love of God during your childhood in church, or maybe you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction. It's possible that you have endured a significant loss that has left you broken. Many Christian songwriters who are interested in our coaching programs have shared their stories of great suffering, abuse, or divorce, and their desire to learn how to express their pain and how God has provided them with strength throughout their journeys. James Finley once stated, "God does not shield us from hardships, but rather miraculously supports us through them."
However, the question remains: How can we effectively express our personal experiences and stories through powerful and impactful songs?
As we navigate through life, we experience both the highs and lows. However, when it comes to expressing our personal stories through Christian music, how can we effectively capture our testimonies? I have three suggestions that may assist you in reflecting on how to convey your own experiences in a manner that resonates with and brings solace, restoration, and optimism to listeners.
Start by searching for a shared element or theme in your narrative that can resonate with a large audience.
Loneliness and feeling lost are common experiences that people can relate to. When you share your story in a way that others can connect with, it allows them to be a part of your journey. It's important for us to find elements of our own lives in your story, so we can fully appreciate and embrace it.
If there is nothing in your story that captures our attention and reminds us of something we have personally experienced, we will lose interest. One of our friends and former NCS student, Becky Norquist, went through the difficult experience of enduring five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Her songs and ministry are centered around providing support to grieving families, but she also includes enough universal themes in her music so that anyone who has experienced any kind of loss – which includes all of us – can relate to and remain engaged with her songs.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or mood rather than getting caught up in
I remember hearing Dave Clark, a well-known songwriter and publisher from Lillenas Music, discuss this topic and his words have stuck with me ever since. It may seem contradictory at first, but it actually makes sense. The initial idea is to identify a central theme or emotion to base your song on. The second point emphasizes the importance of not including irrelevant details in your song that could confuse or distract the listener. If you delve too much into specifics like locations, timings, names, or other unnecessary information, you might end up losing the interest of your audience.
When you identify the shared theme and emotion in your story that I can connect with, you welcome me into your narrative. If the specific details you provide do not align with my own experiences, it may deter me. Although it may seem unattainable, it is possible. You can acquire the ability to find the right amount of detail that focuses on your personal emotions during the challenging times and then shift the focus towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
A testimonial song is a type of song that showcases the ways in which God has achieved victory in your life.
It is important to recognize the unique aspects of your story that may not be relatable to others. One way to improve your songwriting is to study examples of songs that evoke emotions in listeners by using inviting language instead of simply listing specific details.
Thirdly, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
If you are still emotionally wounded and in pain due to a traumatic experience, it can be challenging to create an authentic song that truly reflects your feelings. Expressing your pain through lyrics can sometimes be seen as self-centered, unless you are writing a typical country song that evokes a sense of melancholy. If that is your intention, then go ahead and pursue it, but understand that it is not a genuine testimony. It is simply a song that portrays sadness within the country music genre.
When considering your audience, it's important to recognize that they likely already have their own challenges to face. 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 serve as outlets for sharing your struggles and pain. It's crucial to think about how your lyrics will impact 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 successfully created an uplifting praise song called "My Testimony" that effectively conveys a broad message based on scripture. Instead of writing a song solely focused on your personal childhood experiences, it may be beneficial to explore positive themes from the scripture that highlight God's healing power over any negative circumstances. There are numerous approaches to expressing your personal testimony, so it would be worth considering other avenues before sharing your pain with others.
In conclusion, a testimonial song is a song that portrays how God has succeeded 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 recognize the distinction between catharsis and testimonial songs. Catharsis involves releasing 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 reach it.
In our NCS Pro Song Mastery program, which lasts for eight weeks and is conducted online, we delve into the art of writing testimony songs and explore various other aspects. While many individuals seek free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you have a deep desire to enhance your songwriting skills and are committed to building your ministry, you can use the provided link to schedule a free phone call. This call is not obligatory and aims to help you determine if our program aligns with your needs. To schedule your free call, click here.
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