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Expressing Your Personal Experience
My journey towards embracing Christ began during a challenging childhood that is often referred to as "dysfunctional" nowadays. However, back in the tumultuous era of the 1960s and '70s, my family and I were simply navigating through life without the awareness of a specific label for our struggles. Nevertheless, Jesus miraculously intervened and made a significant impact in my life.
My life went through a profound change when someone assisted me in discovering and experiencing the indescribable affection of Jesus for the very first time.
The photograph was taken by Laura E. Partain
In a split second, my entire life was completely transformed. The love I experienced at that moment has been the driving force that has kept me going for more than five decades, through all the highs and lows, the successes and sorrows, and even the pleasant moments. The core of my story is that my life took a permanent new direction when I first felt the love of God at the age of eighteen.
The driving force behind my presence and actions is this. It is the motivation behind my career as a Christian songwriter and my desire to assist you in creating songs that capture the essence of this incredible truth. The fundamental belief that drives Nashville Christian Songwriters and all our various platforms, such as podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs, is to spread the message of Jesus' love to every individual on earth.
What is your personal story of faith?
Perhaps you experienced the love of God during your childhood in church, or maybe you turned to Him during your adult years while struggling with addiction. Alternatively, you might have been deeply hurt by a significant loss. I have had conversations with numerous Christian songwriters who have endured immense pain, abuse, or divorce, and have expressed a desire to learn how to convey their suffering and the way God provided them with strength. According to James Finley, God does not shield us from difficult experiences, but rather miraculously supports us through them.
However, the question remains: how can we effectively express our experiences and personal stories through powerful musical compositions?
Throughout our lives, we experience both the highs and lows. However, when it comes to expressing our personal experiences through Christian songs, it can be challenging. To assist you in effectively conveying your testimonials, I have three useful suggestions that will not only resonate with listeners but also provide them with solace, restoration, and optimism.
To begin with, attempt to identify a shared theme in your narrative that resonates with a large number of individuals.
Loneliness and feeling lost are common emotions that everyone can relate to at some point in their lives. To connect with others through your storytelling, it is essential to provide them with a sense of identification. By incorporating elements of our own experiences into your narrative, we can better engage with and appreciate your story.
If your story doesn't resonate with us or connect with something we have personally experienced, we will lose interest. One of our friends from NCS, Becky Norquist, went through the difficult experience of five miscarriages and one stillbirth. While her music and ministry primarily focus on supporting families who are grieving, she also incorporates broader themes in her songs that can be relatable to anyone who has experienced any form of loss. This allows all of us to find something to connect with and remain engaged with her music.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or mood rather than getting caught up in
The saying I once heard from Dave Clark, a well-known songwriter and publisher at Lillenas Music, still resonates with me. Although it may seem contradictory at first, there are two important points to consider. The first is to identify a central theme or emotion to base your song on. The second point advises against including excessive and irrelevant details in your song that could confuse or disengage the listener. By delving too much into specifics like location, time, dates, names, or other unnecessary information, there is a risk of losing the audience's attention.
When you identify the shared theme and emotion in your story that resonates with me, you are inviting me to connect with your song. If the specifics of your story don't align with mine, it may deter my interest. It may seem challenging, but it is possible. You can learn to find the right amount of detail that focuses on your emotions during the difficult situation and then shift the narrative towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
…a song of testimony is one that reveals how God achieved victory in your personal experiences.
…a song of testimony is one that showcases the ways in which God has prevailed in your life.
It is important to recognize the unique details in your story that are specific to you and may not be relatable to others. One way to improve your songwriting is to study and analyze the techniques used by other songwriters who are able to effectively convey emotions to their listeners instead of simply listing details.
Next, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
If you are still emotionally and physically affected by a traumatic experience, it can be challenging to create an authentic and genuine song about it. Expressing your pain through lyrics can sometimes be perceived as self-centered, unless you are specifically aiming to write a heartfelt country song. If that is your intention, then by all means, pursue it. However, it is important to acknowledge that this type of song does not serve as a testament to your experiences; rather, it is a melancholic country ballad.
When considering your audience, it's important to acknowledge that they likely have their own problems to handle. If you unload all of your issues onto them, they may not be willing to listen for very long. That's why professionals like therapists and journals exist – they serve as a safe space for you to express your struggles and pain. It's important to think about the impact your lyrics will have on 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 message rooted in Scripture. Instead of writing a song that solely focuses on your childhood experiences, it might be more beneficial to explore Scriptural themes that highlight the transformative and healing power of God, showcasing His ability to overcome any negative circumstances. There are numerous ways to express your testimony, so it would be worthwhile to consider alternative approaches before sharing your personal pain with others.
In conclusion, a testimonial song is a song that depicts how God has overcome challenges in your life. It is crucial for your emotional well-being to experience catharsis. While it may be beneficial to write such songs for yourself, it is important to note the distinction between catharsis and testimonial songs. Catharsis involves releasing emotions, while testimonials celebrate God's triumph over the difficulties you have faced, highlighting His ultimate victory in your inner being regardless of the path taken to reach it.
In our NCS Pro Song Mastery program, which is an online coaching and mentoring experience that lasts for eight weeks, we delve into various aspects of testimony songs and much more. While many individuals seek free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are eager to take your songwriting skills to the next level and have a strong desire to establish your ministry, you can use the provided link to arrange a free phone call. This call does not come with any obligations, and it is an opportunity for you to determine if this program suits your needs. You can schedule your free call by clicking here.
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