Personal Testimony in Writing
My journey towards Christianity began during a challenging childhood that is often referred to as "dysfunctional" nowadays. However, back then, it was simply the norm during the turbulent years of the 1960s and 1970s. Unaware that there would be a specific term for the circumstances we were facing, Jesus somehow intervened and had a profound impact on my life.
My life went through a significant change when someone assisted me in experiencing the incomprehensible love that Jesus has for the first time.
The photograph 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, helping me navigate through the highs and lows, the successes and sorrows, and all the positive experiences as well. I firmly believe that the course of my life took a permanent shift when I first felt the overwhelming love of God at the age of eighteen.
The reason for my existence and the motivation behind my work is the love of Jesus. I am a Christian songwriter who aims to assist others in writing songs that can beautifully convey this incredible reality. The fundamental principle of Nashville Christian Songwriters is to spread the love of Jesus to every individual on Earth, and we achieve this through our podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs.
What is your personal story or experience with faith? It could be that you experienced God's love during your childhood in a church, or maybe 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 our coaching programs for Christian songwriters, I've had conversations with many individuals who have endured significant pain, abuse, or divorce and who are interested in learning how to express their emotions and how God has supported them through it all. According to James Finley, God doesn't shield us from hardships, but rather miraculously helps us endure them.
However, the challenge lies in finding a way to 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 experiences through Christian songs, how can we effectively convey our testimonies? I have three useful tips that may assist you in considering the best approach to capture your personal stories in a way that resonates with listeners and provides them with comfort, healing, and hope.
To begin with, attempt to discover a shared element in your narrative that resonates with a large number of individuals.
Most people have experienced loneliness or feeling lost at some point. By sharing a story that resonates with others, you can create a connection that draws them into your song. It is important for listeners to find elements of their own experiences within your story, allowing them to engage and connect with it on a deeper level.
If there is nothing in your story that captures our attention and reminds us of something we have personally experienced, we will lose interest. Becky Norquist, a friend of ours who graduated from NCS, has endured the pain of going through five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Her music and ministry are centered around supporting grieving families, but she also incorporates enough universal themes in her songs that anyone who has experienced any kind of loss – which includes all of us – can relate to and remain engaged with her music.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or mood rather than getting caught up in
The statement I am about to share was said by Dave Clark (Lillenas Music), a well-known songwriter and publisher, and it has stuck with me ever since. At first glance, it may seem contradictory, but it's not. The initial point is to choose a central theme or emotion to base your song on. The second point is to steer clear of including irrelevant details in your song that do not benefit the listener. If you delve too deeply into specifics such as location, time, dates, names, or other unnecessary information, there is a chance that your audience may lose interest.
When you identify the shared theme and emotion in your story that I can connect with, you encourage me to engage with your song. If the specific elements in your story do not align with my own experiences, it may deter me. 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 difficult times and then shifts towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
… a testimonial song is a song that showcases the ways in which God has achieved victory in your life.
It's important to recognize the unique details in your story that we may not be able to relate to. To help with this, you can look for examples of songs that have a similar theme to what you want to write about and observe how the songwriters engage listeners with emotions rather than just sharing specific details.
Next, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
If you're still feeling the pain and emotional wounds from a traumatic experience, it can be difficult to authentically write a song that reflects your true testimony. Expressing your pain too intensely in the lyrics may come across as self-centered, unless you're aiming to write a typical country song about heartbreak and sorrow. If that's your intention, then go ahead and pursue it, but it's important to acknowledge that it won't be a genuine testimony, but rather a melancholic country tune.
When considering your audience, it's important to recognize that they likely have their own share of challenges and difficulties to handle. If you simply unload your own problems onto them, they might not be willing to listen for very long. This is why professionals like therapists and journals exist – they are there to provide a safe space for you to express your struggles and pain. It's essential 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 broad message based on Scripture. Instead of writing a song solely focused on your childhood experiences, it might be more beneficial to explore Scriptural themes that emphasize the transformative and healing power of God, showcasing how He overcomes all the negative aspects of life. There are numerous ways to express your personal testimony, so it would be worthwhile to explore alternative approaches before sharing your pain with others.
In summary, a testimonial song is a song that portrays how God has overcome challenges in your life. Expressing your emotions through music is crucial for your emotional well-being. While it is beneficial to write songs for personal catharsis, it is important to remember that there is a distinction between catharsis and testimonial songs. Testimonial songs celebrate God's triumph over the difficult experiences you have faced and highlight His ultimate victory in your soul, regardless of the path you took to reach it.
In our NCS Pro Song Mastery program, which lasts for eight weeks and is conducted online, we delve deep into the art of writing testimony songs and much more. While many individuals may only be interested in accessing free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are truly dedicated to advancing your songwriting skills and feel a strong desire to develop your ministry, you can use the provided link to arrange a free phone call. This call is not binding and serves as an opportunity to determine if our program is suitable for you. You can schedule your free call by clicking here.
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