Personal Blog: Sharing from My Own Experience
My upbringing was far from ideal, with a challenging and tumultuous childhood that many today label as "dysfunctional." However, during the 1960s and 1970s, it was simply the reality of our lives. We had no idea that our experiences would be categorized with a specific term, but somehow, Jesus played a significant role in changing my life.
My life went through a significant change when someone guided me to experience the overwhelming love of Jesus, a feeling that cannot be adequately put into words.
The image was captured by Laura E. Partain
In a single moment, my entire life took a drastic turn. This enduring love has been my source of strength for more than five decades, supporting me through all the highs and lows, achievements and losses, as well as the positive experiences. I can confidently say that the course of my life was permanently altered when I first experienced God's love at the age of eighteen.
The reason I continue to exist is because of this. It motivates me to pursue my passion as a Christian songwriter and assist others in creating songs that can effectively convey this incredible truth. It forms the foundation of Nashville Christian Songwriters and all our various platforms, such as podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs, are dedicated to spreading the love of Jesus to every individual on Earth.
What is your personal experience with faith?
Perhaps you experienced a deep sense of God's love when you were a child attending church, or maybe you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction. It could also be that you went through a devastating loss that shattered you emotionally. Many Christian songwriters who have faced immense pain, abuse, or divorce have expressed interest in our coaching programs. They want to learn how to articulate their suffering and how God provided them with strength during those difficult times. According to James Finley, God does not shield us from hardships, but rather miraculously supports us through every challenge we face.
However, is there a way for us to effectively express our personal experiences and stories through impactful and memorable songs? Is there a method to capture our testimonies in truly extraordinary
Throughout our lives, we experience both the highs and lows. However, when it comes to expressing our personal stories and experiences through Christian music, how can we effectively convey our testimonies? I have three suggestions that may assist you in considering how to effectively capture your personal stories in songs that will resonate with listeners and provide them with comfort, healing, and hope.
To start, attempt to discover a shared theme in your narrative that many individuals can relate to.
We all understand the feeling of loneliness or being lost at times. To connect with others through your storytelling, it is important to create a sense of relatability. By including elements that resonate with their own experiences, people will be more drawn to your song. It is crucial to allow them to insert their own narrative into the gaps so that they can truly connect and 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. Becky Norquist, a friend of ours who attended NCS, has gone through the difficult experience of five miscarriages and one stillbirth. While her songs and ministry primarily center around supporting grieving families, she also includes elements in her music that can relate to anyone who has experienced any type of loss. This allows all of us to connect with her songs and remain engaged.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or mood rather than getting caught up in
I was introduced to the idea by Dave Clark (Lillenas Music), a well-known songwriter and publisher, who emphasized the importance of this concept. At first glance, it may seem contradictory, but it's not. The initial point is to establish a central theme or emotion to base your song on. The second point is to avoid including unnecessary details in your song that may confuse or disengage your listener. If you delve too much into specific locations, timeframes, dates, names, or other minute details, there is a chance that your audience might lose interest.
When you identify a shared theme and emotion in your story that I can personally connect with, you are welcoming me into your narrative. If the specific details you provide do not align with my own experiences, it may deter me from fully engaging. Although it may seem challenging, it is possible to strike a balance between providing sufficient details and avoiding an overload of information. The key is to focus on expressing how you felt during the difficult situation, and then shifting the narrative towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
…a testimonial song is a song that tells the story of how God achieved victory in your life.
…a testimonial song is a song that depicts the ways in which God has overcome challenges and brought success into your life.
It is important to understand that there are certain details in your story that are unique to you and cannot be easily relatable to others. To overcome this, it can be beneficial to look for examples of songs that resemble the kind of song you want to write and observe how the writers are able to engage listeners by evoking emotions rather than simply listing specific details.
Next, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
When you are still feeling the emotional and physical pain from a traumatic experience, it can be difficult to authentically express it through a testimonial song. It is often seen as self-centered when your lyrics are filled with raw emotions, unless you are composing a traditional country song that revolves around heartbreak. If that is the direction you wish to take, then go ahead and pursue it, but be aware that it is not a true testimony but rather a melancholic country song.
When considering your audience, it's important to recognize that they likely have their own struggles to cope with. If you solely focus on sharing your own problems with them, they may not be willing to listen for very long. This is why therapists and journals exist – they provide a safe space for you to unload your issues 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?
In my opinion, Brandon Lake and the Elevation Worship team have done an impressive job with their uplifting praise song called "My Testimony." They have effectively conveyed a message rooted in Scripture, which can resonate with a broad audience. Instead of creating a song that solely focuses on your childhood experiences, it might be worth exploring positive biblical themes that highlight God's ability to bring healing and triumph over difficult circumstances. There are numerous ways to express your personal testimony, so it would be beneficial to explore other avenues before delving into the depths of your pain.
In conclusion, a testimonial song is one that reflects how God has overcome challenges in your life. It is crucial for your emotional well-being to experience catharsis. While it may be helpful to write these songs for yourself, it's important to note that there is a distinction between catharsis and testimonial songs. Catharsis involves expressing and releasing emotions, while testimonials celebrate God's triumph over the difficulties you have faced, highlighting His ultimate victory in your inner being regardless of the path taken.
In our eight-week online coaching and mentoring program called NCS Pro Song Mastery, we delve into the art of writing testimony songs and much more. While many individuals seek free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are truly committed to advancing your songwriting skills and have a deep desire to establish your ministry, you can use the provided link to arrange a free phone call. This call will help determine if our program is suitable for you, with no obligation to commit. Schedule your free call now.
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