Personal Blog
Sharing from My Own Experience
My journey to finding Christ began in a challenging childhood that is often referred to as "dysfunctional" by society. However, during the tumultuous era of the 1960's and '70's, my family and I simply considered it as our way of life. At that time, we were unaware that our experiences would later be categorized under a specific term. Nevertheless, Jesus somehow intervened and made a significant impact on my life.
My life went through a significant change when I received assistance in establishing a connection with the unimaginable love that Jesus possesses.
The photo was taken by Laura E. Partain
In a single moment, my entire life was completely disrupted. Throughout all the highs and lows, successes and sorrows, and even the positive experiences, it is this very love that has supported me for more than half a century. The essence of my story lies in the fact that the course of my life was permanently altered when I experienced the love of God for the very first time at the age of eighteen.
The reason for my existence and the motivation behind my work is the love of Jesus. As a Christian songwriter, my goal is to assist others in creating songs that can capture the essence of this incredible truth. The fundamental principle that drives everything we do at Nashville Christian Songwriters, including our podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs, is to spread the message of Jesus' love to all individuals on Earth.
Do you have a personal story to share about your faith journey? It could be that you experienced God's love during your childhood church experiences, or that you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction. Perhaps you were deeply hurt by a significant loss, and that led you to seek solace in God. We have had many conversations with Christian songwriters who have faced immense pain, abuse, or divorce, and who are eager to learn how to express their struggles and how God has supported them through it all. As James Finley puts it, "God doesn't shield us from difficulties, but He miraculously carries us through them."
However, the question remains: How can we effectively express our personal experiences and stories through powerful and memorable songs?
Throughout our lives, we experience both the positive and negative aspects of life. However, when it comes to expressing our personal experiences in Christian songs, how can we effectively convey our testimonies? I have three suggestions that I believe will assist you in effectively capturing your personal stories in a way that resonates with listeners and provides them with solace, restoration, and optimism.
Initially, attempt to discover a shared element in your narrative that numerous individuals can relate to.
Most people have experienced loneliness or feeling lost at some point. Sharing a story that resonates with others is the most effective way to engage them with your song. It's important for listeners to connect their own experiences with yours, allowing them to relate and develop a fondness for your story.
If there is nothing in your story that captures our attention and resonates with our own experiences, we will lose interest. One of our friends and former student at NCS, Becky Norquist, went through the painful experience of 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 – which includes all of us – can relate to and continue to engage with her music.
Next, focus on capturing the emotional essence rather than getting caught up in specific
Dave Clark, a well-known songwriter and publisher at Lillenas Music, once shared a valuable insight that has stuck with me. It may seem contradictory at first, but it's not. The initial point is to identify a central theme or emotion to base your song on. The second point is to steer clear of including unnecessary details in your song that may not be helpful to your audience. Going into excessive specifics about locations, time, dates, names, or other irrelevant information can potentially alienate the listener and weaken the impact of your song.
When you discover the shared theme and emotion in your story that resonates with me, you welcome me to be a part of your narrative. If the specific details of your story do not align with mine, it may deter my interest. Although it may seem challenging, it is possible to learn how to strike the right balance of providing sufficient or excessive details to emphasize your emotions during the challenging experience, and then shift the focus towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
…a testimonial song is a type of song that depicts and celebrates the victories and successes that God has brought into your life.
It is important to recognize the unique aspects of your story that may not be relatable to others. To assist in writing your song, it can be beneficial to find examples of songs that evoke similar emotions and observe how the songwriters engage listeners in those feelings rather than focusing solely on specific details.
Next, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
If you are still emotionally wounded and in pain from a traumatic experience, it can be challenging to create a genuine testimonial song about it. Expressing your pain through lyrics may often be perceived as self-centered, unless you are writing a typical country song that embraces sadness. If that is your intention, then go ahead and pursue it, but it is important to understand that it is not a genuine testimony, but rather a melancholic country song.
When considering your audience, it's important to recognize that they likely have their own problems and struggles to handle. 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; they serve as a place for you to unload your emotional baggage 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 excellently created an uplifting praise song called "My Testimony" that effectively conveys a Scripture-based message. Instead of crafting a song solely based on your childhood experiences, it might be beneficial to explore positive Scriptural themes that showcase God's healing ability amidst challenging situations. There are numerous approaches to sharing your testimony, so it would be wise to consider other avenues before expressing your pain to others.
In conclusion, a testimonial song is a song that demonstrates how God has succeeded in your life. It is essential for your emotional well-being to have a cathartic release. It may be beneficial for you to write these songs for yourself as well, but it is important to remember that there is a distinction between the two types. Catharsis is a way to release and let go, while testimonials celebrate God's victory over the challenges you have faced and His ultimate triumph in your spirit, regardless of the path taken to reach it.
In our NCS Pro Song Mastery program, which lasts for eight weeks and takes place online, we explore testimony songs and various other topics. While many individuals may prefer to access free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are serious about advancing your songwriting skills and have a strong desire to establish your ministry, you can use the provided link to schedule a free phone call. This call is not binding and serves as an opportunity to determine if our program is suitable for you. To schedule your free call, click here.
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