Personal Testimony in Blog Writing
My journey to finding faith in Christ began during a challenging childhood that is often labeled as "dysfunctional" by society. However, during the tumultuous era of the 1960s and 1970s, my family and I simply considered it as a part of life. We were unaware that our experiences would later be categorized under this term. Nevertheless, Jesus somehow intervened and had a profound impact on my life.
My life underwent a profound change when someone assisted me in discovering and experiencing the incomprehensible love that Jesus possesses for all.
The photo was taken by Laura E. Partain
In a single moment, my entire life was completely disrupted. This enduring love has supported me throughout five decades, encompassing both positive and negative experiences, achievements and misfortunes. I can confidently state that my life's course was permanently altered when I first experienced the love of God 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 writing songs that can effectively communicate this incredible reality. The primary focus of Nashville Christian Songwriters and all our platforms, such as 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? Perhaps you experienced the love of God while attending church as a child, or maybe you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction. It could also be that you have been deeply affected by a significant loss in your life. I have had conversations with numerous Christian songwriters who have gone through immense pain, abuse, or divorce, and they have expressed a desire to learn how to express their struggles and how God has provided them with strength and support. According to James Finley, God does not shield us from life's challenges, but rather miraculously sustains us 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 experiences in Christian songs, how can we effectively convey our testimonies? Here are three tips that I believe will assist you in reflecting on how to capture your testimonials in a manner that resonates with listeners, providing them with comfort, healing, and hope.
Initially, attempt to identify a shared theme in your narrative that numerous individuals can relate to.
Loneliness and feeling lost are common emotions that everyone can relate to at times. To connect with people through your story, it is important to make them feel a sense of identification. By incorporating elements of our own experiences, we can establish a connection and become invested in your narrative.
If your story fails to resonate with us and evoke memories of our own experiences, we will lose interest. One of our acquaintances, Becky Norquist, who is a former student of NCS, went through the heartbreaking experience of enduring five miscarriages and one stillbirth. She dedicates her songs and ministry to support grieving families, but she also incorporates enough universal themes in her music so that anyone who has faced any form of loss – which includes all of us – can connect with her lyrics and remain engaged.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or mood rather than getting caught up in
I remember Dave Clark, a well-known songwriter and publisher from Lillenas Music, once mentioning this idea and it has stuck with me ever since. It may seem contradictory at first, but it's not. The first 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 don't contribute to the listener's understanding. If you delve too much into specific locations, times, dates, names, or other particulars, there's a chance of losing the listener's interest.
When you identify the shared theme and emotion in your story that resonates with me, it allows me to connect with your song. If the specific details in your story do not align with mine, it can deter my interest. Although it may seem challenging, it is possible to strike a balance between providing sufficient or excessive details in order to highlight your emotions during the difficult experience and subsequently shift the focus towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
…a testimony song is a musical expression that depicts the triumph of God in one's life.
…a testimony song is a musical composition that illustrates the victorious presence of God in one's personal experiences.
It is important to recognize the unique details in your own story that may not resonate with others. To better understand how to engage listeners, it can be helpful to study songs that encompass the emotional experience rather than just listing specific details.
Next, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
If you are still feeling the emotional pain and suffering from a traumatic experience in your life, it can be challenging to authentically express it through a testimonial song. Sharing your raw emotions in your lyrics can sometimes be seen as self-centered, unless you are specifically aiming to create a melancholic country song. If that is your intention, then go ahead and pursue it, but it's important to recognize that it won't be a genuine testimony, but rather a sorrowful country song.
Considering your audience's perspective, it becomes evident that they likely have their own share of problems and difficulties to handle. If you simply unload your own issues onto them, they may not have the patience or willingness to listen for long. This is why professionals like therapists and journals exist – they are there to provide a outlet for your dysfunction and pain. Given this, it's important to contemplate how your lyrics will impact your listeners. What kind of emotional space are you creating for them? 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 conveys a broad message rooted in Scripture. Instead of writing a song solely focused on your childhood experiences, it might be more effective to explore Scriptural themes that highlight God's healing power in overcoming negative circumstances. There are numerous ways to share your testimony, so consider exploring different approaches before delving into your personal pain.
In summary, a testimonial song is a song that expresses how God has overcome challenges in your life. It is crucial for your emotional well-being to release and cleanse your emotions. It may be beneficial for you to write such songs for your own personal healing, but it is important to note that there is a distinction between catharsis and testimonials. Catharsis involves releasing emotions, while testimonials celebrate God's victory over the difficulties you have faced and His ultimate success in transforming your inner being, regardless of the path taken to reach that point.
In our NCS Pro Song Mastery program, which is conducted online over eight weeks, we explore testimony songs and many other aspects of songwriting. While many individuals may be interested in accessing free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are truly dedicated to advancing your songwriting skills and have a deep desire to develop your ministry, you can use the provided link to arrange a free phone call without any obligations. This call will help determine if our program is suitable for you. Click here to schedule your free call.
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