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Sharing Your Personal Story
Growing up in the tumultuous 1960's and '70s, my childhood was marked by dysfunction. However, at the time, we didn't realize that our experiences would later be categorized as such. Nevertheless, Jesus played a significant role in transforming my life.
I underwent a significant change in my life when someone assisted me in establishing a deep connection with the immeasurable affection that Jesus has for all.
The photo credit for this image goes to Laura E
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 both the difficult and joyful moments. I firmly believe that my life took a different path when I first felt the love of God at the age of eighteen.
The reason for my existence and the motivation behind my work is this. I am a Christian songwriter because I want to assist you in creating songs that can effectively convey the incredible truth of our faith. The fundamental principle that drives Nashville Christian Songwriters and all our various platforms like 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? It could be that you experienced God's love during your childhood church visits or you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction. It's also possible that you went through a devastating loss that left you broken. In my conversations with Christian songwriters interested in our coaching programs, I've encountered many who have experienced significant pain, abuse, or divorce and are seeking ways to express their struggles and how God provided the strength to endure. According to James Finley, God doesn't shield us from hardships, but rather supports us miraculously through them.
However, the question remains: How can we effectively convey our personal experiences and stories through powerful and impactful songs?
Throughout our lives, we experience both the positive and negative aspects of life. However, when it comes to expressing our personal stories and experiences through Christian songs, how can we effectively convey our testimonies? In this regard, I have three valuable tips that I believe will assist you in contemplating how to effectively depict your testimonials in a manner that resonates with listeners, offering them comfort, healing, and hope.
To begin, attempt to discover a shared element in your narrative that resonates with a large audience.
Loneliness and feeling lost are emotions that everyone can relate to at some point in their lives. By finding a way to make your story relatable, you can draw people in and engage them in your song. It is important for listeners to be able to connect their own experiences with your lyrics, allowing them to become emotionally invested in your music.
If your story doesn't capture our attention and resonate with something we've personally experienced, we will lose interest. Becky Norquist, who is a friend of ours and a former student of NCS, went through the heart-wrenching experience of enduring five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Her music and ministry center around providing support for grieving families, but she also incorporates enough universal themes in her songs that anyone who has experienced any form of loss – which includes all of us – can connect with and continue to engage with her music.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or mood in your painting rather than getting
The statement was originally made by Dave Clark, a well-known songwriter and publisher from Lillenas Music, and it has stuck with me ever since. At first glance, this may seem contradictory, but it's actually 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 unnecessary details in your song that do not serve any purpose for the listener. By delving too much into specifics like locations, timeframes, dates, names, or other particulars, you run the risk of losing the attention of your audience.
When you identify the shared theme and emotion in your story that I can understand, it allows me to connect with your song. If the specific details don't align with my own experiences, it might discourage me. Although it may seem challenging, it is possible to strike a balance between providing sufficient and excessive detail, focusing on your emotions during the difficult times, and then shifting the narrative towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
…a testimonial song is a musical expression that highlights and celebrates the ways in which God has prevailed and achieved victory in your personal life experiences.
It is important to recognize the unique details of your own personal experiences that others may not be able to relate to. To assist in crafting your song, it can be beneficial to study examples of songs that evoke emotions in listeners by inviting them into a certain feeling rather than simply listing specific details.
Thirdly, 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 authentically compose a song that reflects your true feelings about it. Expressing your pain too intensely through lyrics can be seen as self-centered, unless you are creating a country song that evokes tears and sorrow. If that is your intention, then by all means go ahead and pursue it, but be aware that it is not a testimonial but rather a melancholic country song.
When considering your audience, it's important to acknowledge that they likely have their own struggles to contend with. If you simply unload your own problems onto them, they may not have the patience to listen for long. This is why therapists and journals exist – they serve as a safe space for you to unload your issues and pain. It is important to think about how your lyrics will impact your listeners and what kind of emotional space you are inviting them into. Consider how they will feel after hearing your song.
I believe that Brandon Lake and the Elevation Worship team have done an excellent job with their uplifting worship song "My Testimony" by conveying a message rooted in Scripture. Instead of writing a song that specifically focuses on your childhood story, it might be beneficial to explore positive biblical themes that showcase how God's healing power can overcome all negative experiences. There are numerous approaches to expressing your testimony, so it would be wise to explore alternative methods before sharing your pain with others.
In summary, a testimonial song is a song that highlights how God has succeeded in your life. It is crucial for your emotional well-being to experience catharsis. While writing songs for yourself can also provide catharsis, it is important to recognize the distinction between the two types of songs. Testimonials celebrate God's victory over the challenges you have faced and His ultimate triumph in your 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 extensively explore testimony songs and various other topics. Many individuals are interested in accessing free Christian songwriting courses and webinars. However, if you are truly committed to advancing your songwriting skills and have a strong desire to develop your ministry, you can utilize the provided link to arrange a complimentary phone call. This call carries no obligations and serves as an opportunity to determine if our program aligns with your needs. You can schedule your free call by clicking here.
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