Personal Testimony in Blog Writing
My journey towards Christianity began during a challenging childhood, which is now commonly referred to as "dysfunctional." However, during the tumultuous era of the 1960s and 70s, we were unaware that our experiences would be labeled as such. Nevertheless, it was during this time that Jesus miraculously entered my life.
My life went through a profound change when someone guided me to experience the indescribable love of Jesus for the very first time.
The image was captured by a photographer named Laura E
In a single moment, my entire life was completely disrupted. It is this very love that has supported me throughout more than five decades, encompassing all the highs and lows, the successes and sorrows, as well as the positive experiences. I can affirm 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 I continue to exist and pursue my passion is because of this. It is the driving force behind my career as a Christian songwriter and my desire to assist others in creating songs that can convey this extraordinary truth. The primary principle of Nashville Christian Songwriters and all of our various platforms, including 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 while attending church as a child, or maybe you turned to Him during adulthood to overcome addiction. It's possible that you were deeply hurt by a significant loss, such as a death, and this led you to seek solace in God. Many Christian songwriters who have gone through 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 and support during those difficult times. According to James Finley, God doesn't shield us from hardships, but rather miraculously helps us endure through them.
However, the question remains – how can we effectively express our personal experiences and stories through powerful and impactful songs?
Throughout our lives, we experience both the joys and challenges that come our way. However, when it comes to expressing these experiences in Christian songs, how can we effectively convey our testimonies? Allow me to share three tips that may assist you in considering the most impactful ways to capture your personal stories in songs that resonate with listeners, providing them with comfort, healing, and hope.
To begin with, attempt to discover a shared element in your narrative that resonates with a wide range of individuals.
We are all familiar with the emotions of loneliness and feeling lost at times. To engage people in your song, it is important to provide them with a relatable experience. By connecting our own experiences with yours, we can truly connect and appreciate your story.
If there is nothing in your story that captures our attention and brings back memories of something we have personally experienced, we will lose interest. One of our friends and a former student of NCS, Becky Norquist, went through the heartbreak of enduring five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Through her music and ministry, she primarily addresses the struggles of grieving families. However, she also incorporates enough universal themes into her songs so that anyone who has encountered any form of loss – which includes all of us – can connect with her music and continue to engage with it.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or mood rather than getting caught up in
I was introduced to Dave Clark, a highly productive songwriter and publisher at Lillenas Music, who once shared a memorable piece of advice. It may seem contradictory at first, but it actually complements the first point. The initial point emphasizes the importance of identifying a central theme or emotion to base your song on. However, 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 irrelevant information, you run the risk of losing the audience's interest.
By identifying the shared element and shared feeling in your narrative that resonates with me, you allow me to connect with your song. If the specific aspects of your story don't align with mine, it may deter my interest. 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 challenging times and then shifts towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
… a testimonial song is a song that portrays the triumph of God in your personal life.
It is important to recognize the unique aspects of your story that are personal to you and cannot be easily understood by others. To assist in writing a song, it can be helpful to look for examples of songs that convey the same emotions you want to express, and observe how the songwriters engage their listeners in that emotional experience rather than simply listing specific details.
Additionally, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
If you're still emotionally wounded and suffering from a traumatic experience, it can be challenging to authentically express it in a testimonial song. Sharing your pain through lyrics can sometimes be perceived as self-centered, unless you're composing a traditional country song that captures emotions of sorrow. If that's your intention, then go ahead and pursue it, but understand that it doesn't necessarily convey a personal testimony, but rather a melancholic country tune.
When you prioritize your audience, it becomes apparent that they likely have their own problems to deal with. If you simply unload your own issues 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 pains. It is important to consider how your lyrics will impact 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 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 childhood experiences, it might be beneficial to explore positive Scriptural themes that highlight God's healing power in overcoming negative situations. There are numerous approaches to sharing your testimony, so it would be wise to consider different methods before expressing your pain to others.
In summary, a testimonial song is a song that expresses how God has overcome challenges in your life. It is important for your emotional well-being to experience catharsis. You may consider writing these songs for yourself as well, but it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonials. Catharsis involves releasing emotions, while testimonials celebrate God's triumph over difficult situations and their ultimate victory in your soul, regardless of how you reach that point.
In our NCS Pro Song Mastery program, which lasts for eight weeks and is conducted online, we delve into the art of creating testimony songs and cover various other aspects as well. 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 with no obligations. During this call, we can determine if our program is suitable for you. You can schedule your free call by clicking here.
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