Personal Blog
Expressing Your Personal Experience
I discovered my faith in Jesus Christ during a challenging upbringing that is now referred to as "dysfunctional." However, during the tumultuous period of the 1960s and 1970s, my family and I were unaware that our experiences would be labeled as such. Nonetheless, Jesus played a significant role in transforming my life.
My life went through a significant change when someone assisted me in establishing a profound connection with the indescribable affection that Jesus has for us.
The photo was taken by Laura E. Partain
In a single moment, my entire life was completely altered. This love that I experienced has been my source of strength and support for more than five decades, guiding me through the highs and lows, the successes and sorrows, and even the moments of joy. I can confidently say that my life took a completely different path when I first felt the immense love of God at the age of eighteen.
The reason for my presence and motivation is rooted in this. It is the driving force behind my career as a Christian songwriter and my dedication to assisting others in crafting songs that capture the essence of this incredible truth. The fundamental principle that guides Nashville Christian Songwriters and all our platforms, including podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs, is the desire to spread the love of Jesus to every individual on Earth.
What is your personal story of faith? It could be that you experienced God's love when you were a child attending church, or perhaps you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction. It is also possible that you went through a devastating loss that left you broken. In our coaching programs, we have encountered numerous Christian songwriters who have endured significant hardships such as abuse, divorce, or great loss. They have expressed a desire to learn how to convey their pain through their music and how God has been their source of strength throughout it all. James Finley aptly states that while God does not spare us from difficulties, He miraculously sustains us through them.
However, the question remains: how can we effectively express our personal experiences and stories through powerful and impactful songs?
Throughout our journey in life, 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 resonate with listeners and provide them with comfort, healing, and hope, I have three helpful 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 incorporating elements in your story that people can identify with, you create a connection and draw them into your song. It is important for our own experiences to resonate with yours, allowing us to personalize and become emotionally invested in your story.
If your story doesn't capture our attention and evoke emotions that resonate with our own experiences, we will lose interest. Becky Norquist, a friend of ours who attended NCS, has personally faced the heartbreak of experiencing five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Her music and ministry are centered around supporting grieving families, but she also includes enough universal themes in her songs so that anyone who has experienced any kind of loss can relate and continue to connect with her music.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or sentiment rather than getting caught up in
I was introduced to the concept by Dave Clark, a well-known songwriter and publisher from Lillenas Music, and his words have stayed with me ever since. At first glance, it may seem contradictory, but it is not. The initial point is to identify a central theme or emotion to base your song on. The second point is to refrain from including excessive and irrelevant details in your song that may confuse or disengage your listener. If you delve too much into specific locations, timeframes, dates, names, or other unnecessary specifics, you may run the risk of losing the interest of your audience.
When you identify the shared theme and emotion in your story that resonates with me, you make me feel included in your narrative. If the specific details in your story don't align with my own experiences, it might deter my interest. Although it may seem challenging, it is possible to strike a balance between providing sufficient or excessive details, focusing on the emotions you experienced during a difficult situation, and ultimately shifting the narrative towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
…a testimonial song is a musical expression that showcases the victorious presence of God in one's life.
It is important to recognize the unique details in your own story that may not resonate with others. To improve your songwriting, it can be helpful to study and learn from songs that successfully evoke emotions in listeners by focusing on the way the writers engage them rather than simply providing factual information.
Next, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
If you are still emotionally and physically affected by a traumatic event, it can be difficult to authentically compose a song about it. Expressing your pain and vulnerability through lyrics often may be seen as self-centered, unless you are crafting a melancholic country song that resonates with personal sorrow. If that is your intention, then go ahead and pursue it, but acknowledge that it is not a genuine testimony but rather a song that reflects sadness within the country genre.
When considering your audience, it's important to remember that they most likely have their own problems and difficulties 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 professionals like therapists and journals exist – their purpose is to provide an outlet for your dysfunction and emotional 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 successfully created an uplifting praise song called "My Testimony" that effectively conveys a message rooted in Scripture. Instead of writing a song solely based on your personal childhood experiences, it would be beneficial to explore more positive Scriptural themes that highlight God's healing abilities in overcoming any negativity. There are numerous approaches to express your testimony, so it would be wise to explore alternative methods before sharing your pain with others.
Ultimately, a testimonial song is a song that highlights how God succeeded in your life. It is crucial for your emotional well-being to experience catharsis. It might be beneficial for you to write those songs for your own personal healing, but it's important to recognize the distinction between catharsis and testimonials. Catharsis involves releasing pent-up emotions, while testimonials celebrate God's ability to conquer the challenges you faced and achieve victory within your spirit, regardless of the path taken.
In our NCS Pro Song Mastery program, which spans over eight weeks and is conducted online, we delve deep into the art of crafting testimony songs and explore various other aspects as well. While there are many individuals who are simply seeking free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are truly committed to enhancing your songwriting skills and have a strong desire to establish your own ministry, you can use the provided link to schedule a free phone call. This call does not require any commitment from your end and will help determine if our program is suitable for you. Take the next step and schedule your free call now.
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