Personal Blog
Sharing from My Own Experience
I discovered my faith in Christ during a challenging childhood that is often described as "dysfunctional" by society today. However, back then, it was simply the norm during the tumultuous era of the 1960s and 1970s. It was unexpected, but Jesus somehow intervened in my life.
My life underwent a profound change when someone guided me to experience the overwhelming and indescribable love that Jesus has for all of us.
The photograph was taken by Laura E. Partain
In a single moment, my entire life was completely transformed. This enduring love has supported me throughout all the challenges and successes, the joys and sorrows, and even the positive experiences, for more than five decades. I can confidently say that my life took a completely different path when I first experienced the love of God at the age of eighteen.
The reason I continue to exist and the motivation behind my work is because of it. That's why I became a Christian songwriter and why I strive to assist others in writing songs that can capture the essence of this incredible truth. The fundamental belief of Nashville Christian Songwriters is to spread the love of Jesus to every individual on Earth, which is why we have podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs dedicated to this purpose.
What is your personal story of faith?
Perhaps you experienced the love of God while attending church as a child, or maybe you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction. It's possible that you have been deeply hurt by a significant loss. I have had conversations with numerous Christian songwriters who have shown interest in our coaching programs. Many of them have endured immense suffering, such as abuse, divorce, or profound loss. They are eager to learn how to express their pain through their music and how God has provided them with strength throughout their hardships. According to James Finley, God does not shield us from hardships, but instead miraculously supports us through them.
However, the question remains: how can we effectively express our personal experiences and beliefs through powerful and impactful songs? How can we ensure that our testimonies are accurately conveyed and
Throughout our lives, we experience both the highs and lows. However, when it comes to expressing our personal stories and experiences through Christian songs, how can we effectively convey our testimonies? Here are three valuable tips that aim to assist you in effectively capturing your testimonials in a way that resonates with listeners, providing them with comfort, healing, and hope.
To start, attempt to discover a shared element in your narrative that many individuals can relate to.
Loneliness and feeling lost are common experiences that many people can relate to. By sharing a story that resonates with others, you can create a connection and engage them in your music. It is important to include elements that allow listeners to see themselves in your narrative, allowing them to connect their own experiences with yours. This connection is crucial in order for people to develop a deep appreciation for your music.
If your story fails to captivate us and evoke memories of our own experiences, we will lose interest. Becky Norquist, a former student of NCS and our friend, went through the heartbreaking experience of five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Her music and ministry are centered around supporting grieving families, but she also incorporates enough universal themes in her songs so that anyone who has encountered any form 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
I was introduced to the idea by Dave Clark, a well-known songwriter and publisher at Lillenas Music, who emphasized the importance of this concept. It may seem contradictory at first, but it really isn't. The initial point is to identify a central theme or emotion to base your song on. The second point is to refrain from including unnecessary details in your song that would not benefit the listener. If you delve too much into specifics like location, time, dates, names, or other particulars, you might end up losing the interest of your audience.
When you identify the shared theme and emotional experience in your narrative that I can understand, you encourage me to engage with your story. If the specific details do not align with my own, it may deter me. Although it may seem challenging, it is possible to achieve. You can learn to find the right amount of detail that focuses on your emotions during the difficult time and then shift the narrative towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
…a testimonial song is a song that demonstrates the ways in which God has brought victory and success into your life.
It is important to recognize the unique aspects of your story that we may not be able to relate to. To assist in writing your song, it can be helpful to look for examples of songs that evoke emotions in listeners rather than simply listing specific details.
Thirdly, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
When you are still emotionally wounded and in pain from a traumatic experience, it can be challenging to authentically express it through a testimonial song. Often, pouring your heart out in the lyrics may appear self-centered unless you are composing a heartfelt country song meant for crying and reflecting. If that's what you intend to do, then go ahead and embrace it. However, it's important to acknowledge that it won't be a genuine testimony but rather a melancholic country song.
When considering your audience, it's important to recognize that they likely have their own issues and problems to handle. If you simply unload your own pain onto them, they may not be willing to listen for very long. This is why therapists and journals exist – they serve as outlets for your personal struggles and wounds. It's crucial to think about how your lyrics will impact your listeners. What kind of emotional space are you inviting them to enter? 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 called "My Testimony" by conveying a message that is rooted in Scripture and relatable to many people. Instead of writing a song solely about your childhood experiences, it might be beneficial to explore positive themes from the Bible that showcase God's healing power in overcoming any negative circumstances. There are numerous approaches to sharing your personal testimony, so it would be helpful to consider other avenues before delving into sharing your pain with others.
In summary, a testimonial song is a song that showcases how God has overcome challenges in your life. It is important for your emotional well-being to experience catharsis. While it may be beneficial to write such songs for yourself, it is crucial to distinguish between catharsis and testimonials. Catharsis involves releasing emotions, while testimonials focus on celebrating God's triumph over the difficulties you have faced and His ultimate victory in your soul, regardless of the path you took to reach it.
In our NCS Pro Song Mastery program, which spans over eight weeks and is conducted online, we delve deep into the art of testimony songs and offer much more. While many individuals may seek free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are truly committed to advancing your songwriting skills and feel a strong desire to establish a ministry through your music, we invite you to use the provided link to schedule a free phone call. This call carries no obligations and serves as an opportunity to determine if our program is suitable for your needs. Take the first step and schedule your free call here.
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