Personal Blog: Sharing Your Story
My journey towards embracing Christianity began during a challenging childhood that many today would label as "dysfunctional." However, back then, it was simply a reflection of the tumultuous times of the 1960s and 1970s. Unaware that our experiences would later be categorized, Jesus somehow entered my life and made a profound impact.
My life underwent a significant change when someone guided me towards experiencing the incomprehensible affection of Jesus for the very first time.
The photo was taken by Laura E. Partain
In a single moment, my entire life was completely transformed. This enduring love has been my source of strength and support for more than half a century, guiding me through the highs and lows, the successes and hardships, and even the joyful moments. I can confidently say that my life took a new direction when I experienced God's love for the first time at the age of eighteen.
The main driving force behind my work and presence is the love of Jesus. It is the motivation behind my career as a Christian songwriter and my efforts to assist others in creating songs that capture the incredible reality of this love. The central principle of Nashville Christian Songwriters is to spread the message of Jesus' love to every individual on Earth, which is why our podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs are dedicated to this purpose.
What is your personal story of faith? It could be that you experienced God's love when you were young while attending church, or you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction, or perhaps you were deeply hurt by a significant loss. Many Christian songwriters who have faced immense pain, abuse, or divorce have approached us about our coaching programs, wanting to learn how to express their suffering and how God provided them with strength throughout it. According to James Finley, God does not shield us from hardships, but rather supports us miraculously 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 highs and lows. However, when it comes to expressing our personal stories through Christian music, how can we effectively convey our testimonies? I have three suggestions that I believe will assist you in considering the most effective ways to capture your personal experiences in songs that will resonate with listeners, offering them comfort, healing, and hope.
To begin with, attempt to discover a shared theme in your narrative that many individuals can relate to.
Loneliness and feeling lost are familiar emotions that everyone can relate to at times. By allowing people to connect with your story, you are giving them a reason to be drawn into your music. It is important for your experiences to resonate with our own, enabling us to fill in the gaps with our own personal narratives. This connection is what allows us to truly appreciate and connect with your story.
If there is nothing in your story that captures our attention and resonates with our own experiences, we will lose interest. Becky Norquist, a former student of NCS and a close friend, has gone through the challenging experience of enduring five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Through her music and ministry, she primarily addresses the grief and struggles faced by families dealing with loss. However, she also incorporates broader themes in her songs that allow anyone who has experienced any kind of loss – which includes all of us – to find something relatable and remain engaged with her music.
Next, focus on conveying the feeling or emotion rather than getting caught up in
The idea I'm about to share was originally mentioned by songwriter and publisher Dave Clark from Lillenas Music, and it has stuck with me ever since. Although it might seem contradictory at first, it really isn't. The initial point is to identify a central theme or emotion to build your song upon. The second point is to steer clear of including irrelevant details in your song that wouldn't be beneficial for your listener. If you delve too much into specific locations, times, dates, names, or other unnecessary specifics, 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 differ from my own experiences, it may deter my interest. Although it may seem challenging, it is possible to achieve. You can acquire the skill to find the right amount of detail that focuses on your emotions during a difficult time and then shift the narrative towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
A testimonial song is a type of song that shares the story of how God brought success and victory into your life.
It is important to recognize and consider the unique details that are specific to your own experiences, as they may not be relatable to others. To help in creating a song, it can be helpful to find examples of songs that capture the emotions you want to convey and observe how the songwriters engage listeners in those emotions instead of simply listing facts.
Next, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
When you're still emotionally wounded and in pain from a traumatic experience, it can be challenging to compose an authentic song that reflects your feelings. Expressing your pain through lyrics often appears self-centered, unless you're creating a sorrowful country song that resonates with the "cryin-in-your-beer" style. If that's the direction you want to take, then go ahead and pursue it. However, it's important to recognize 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 struggles to contend with. If you simply unload your own issues onto them, they may not be willing to listen for long. This is why therapists and journals exist – they serve as a outlet for your personal problems and pain. It's crucial to think about how your lyrics will impact your listeners. What type 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 rooted in Scripture. Instead of focusing on writing a song about your personal childhood experiences, it might be more beneficial to explore positive Scriptural themes that showcase how God's healing power triumphs over any negative aspects. There are numerous approaches to sharing your testimony, so it would be wise to explore various options before expressing your pain to others.
In conclusion, a testimonial song is a song that reflects on how God has brought triumph in one's life. It is important for one's emotional well-being to have a cathartic release. It may be beneficial to write such songs for oneself as well, but it is essential to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial songs. While catharsis involves expressing and releasing emotions, testimonial songs celebrate God's triumph over difficult experiences and the ultimate victory He brings to one's soul, regardless of the path taken to 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 writing testimony songs and explore various other aspects of songwriting. 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 a strong ministry, you can use the provided link to arrange a free phone call with no obligations. This call will help determine if our program is a suitable fit for you. You can schedule your free call by clicking here.
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