Personal Testimony in Blog Writing
My journey to finding faith in Christ began amidst a challenging childhood that is often referred to as "dysfunctional" nowadays. However, during the tumultuous era of the 1960s and 1970s, my family and I simply considered it as our way of life. Little did we know that our experiences would later be classified under a specific term. Nevertheless, it was through the intervention of Jesus that my life took a different turn.
My life underwent a profound change when someone assisted me in establishing a connection with the incomprehensible affection that Jesus has for us.
Image captured by Laura E. Partain
In a single moment, my entire life was completely transformed. This enduring love has been my source of strength and support for more than five decades, helping me navigate through both the highs and lows, the achievements and hardships, and even the positive experiences. The turning point in my life occurred at the age of eighteen when I first experienced the profound love of God, and since then, my journey has never been the same.
The reason for my existence and my purpose in life is what keeps me going. It is the driving force behind my career as a Christian songwriter, where I aim to assist you in creating songs that can beautifully convey this incredible truth. The fundamental principle that guides 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?
Perhaps you experienced God's love when you were a child attending church, or maybe you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction. It's possible that you were deeply affected by a significant loss in your life. Many Christian songwriters who have faced immense pain, abuse, or divorce have reached out to us about our coaching programs. They are eager to learn how to express their suffering and how God has supported them through it. James Finley believes that while God does not shield us from hardships, He miraculously helps us endure them.
However, the question remains: how can we effectively express our personal experiences and stories through exceptional songs?
Throughout our lives, we experience both positive and negative moments. 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 reflecting on how to capture your testimonials in a manner that resonates with listeners and provides them with comfort, healing, and hope.
Start by identifying a shared element or theme in your story that many individuals can relate to.
Loneliness and feeling lost are emotions that are familiar to everyone. To engage people in your storytelling, it is important to create a connection with them. By incorporating elements that resonate with their own experiences, they are more likely to be captivated by your narrative. Allowing them to relate their own story to yours enables a deeper emotional connection and the possibility of them becoming invested in your story.
If there is nothing in your narrative that captivates us and evokes our own personal experiences, we will lose interest. A former student of NCS and our friend, Becky Norquist, has endured the difficult experience of going through five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Her music and ministry are dedicated to supporting grieving families, but she also incorporates broader themes in her songs that resonate with anyone who has experienced any form of loss – which includes all of us. This allows listeners to connect with her music and remain engaged.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or mood rather than getting caught up in
I remember hearing Dave Clark, a highly productive songwriter and publisher from Lillenas Music, make this statement, and it has stuck with me ever since. Although it may seem contradictory at first, it actually isn't. The initial point is to identify a central theme or emotion to base your song on. The second point is to avoid including unnecessary details in your song that would not be beneficial to your audience. If you delve too deeply into specifics such as location, time, dates, names, or other particulars, there is a chance that you might lose the listener's interest.
By identifying the shared theme and emotion in your story that I can personally connect with, you welcome me into your narrative. If the specific details in your story do not align with my own experiences, it may cause me to lose interest. Although it may seem challenging, it is possible to strike a balance between providing sufficient details and avoiding overwhelming the reader. The focus should be on conveying your emotions during the difficult situation and then shifting towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
… a testimonial song is a type of song that expresses how God has achieved victory in your personal experiences.
It is important to recognize the unique elements of your own story that may not resonate with others. To assist in writing a song, it can be helpful to study examples of songs that evoke emotions in the listeners rather than simply listing specific details.
Thirdly, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
When you're still emotionally wounded and in pain from a traumatic experience, it can be difficult to authentically express it through a testimonial song. Sharing your raw emotions in your lyrics may be seen as self-centered, unless you're composing a country song that reflects on heartbreak. If that's your intention, feel free to pursue it, but it's important to recognize that such a song is not a true testimony, but rather a melancholic country tune.
When considering your audience, it's important to recognize that they likely have their own personal struggles to handle. If you simply unload your own problems onto them, they may not be willing to listen for very long. This is why professionals like therapists and personal journals exist – they serve as a safe outlet for expressing and dealing with your own emotional baggage. It's crucial to think about 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 done an excellent job with their uplifting worship song called "My Testimony" by conveying a message rooted in Scripture that can resonate with many people. Instead of writing a song about your personal childhood experiences, it might be more effective to focus on positive themes from the Bible that highlight God's ability to bring healing and overcome negativity. There are countless ways to express your testimony, so it would be beneficial to explore a few different approaches before sharing your pain with others.
In conclusion, a testimonial song is a song that portrays how God has prevailed in your life. It is crucial for your emotional well-being to experience catharsis. It may also be beneficial for you to write these songs for yourself, but it is important to note that there is a distinction between the two types. Catharsis involves releasing pent-up emotions, while testimonials celebrate God's triumph over the hardships you have faced and His ultimate victory in your soul, regardless of the path you took to reach it.
In our eight-week online coaching and mentoring program called NCS Pro Song Mastery, we delve into the art of writing testimonial songs and much more. While many people seek free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you're truly committed to advancing your songwriting skills and feel a strong urge to grow your ministry, you can use the provided link to schedule a free phone call. This call is not binding and aims to determine if our program is the right fit for you. Set up your free call by clicking here.
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