Personal Blog
Sharing from My own Life Experience
I found solace in Christianity after enduring a challenging childhood that is now referred to as "dysfunctional" by society. However, during the tumultuous years of the 1960s and 1970s, we were simply living our lives without realizing that our experiences would be categorized under a specific label. Nonetheless, Jesus somehow intervened in my life and made a significant impact.
My life changed dramatically when someone guided me to discover the unimaginable love that Jesus has for us.
The photograph was 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 half a century, guiding me through both the highs and lows, the successes and heartbreaks, as well as the blessings. I can confidently say that the course of my life was permanently altered when I experienced the profound love of God for the very first time 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 you in creating songs that can effectively convey this incredible reality. The primary focus of Nashville Christian Songwriters is to spread the love of Jesus to every individual on Earth through our podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs.
What is your personal story of faith?
Perhaps you experienced God's love while attending church as a child, or maybe you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction. It's also possible that a significant loss in your life left you feeling broken. Through our coaching programs, I have spoken to numerous Christian songwriters who have endured immense pain, abuse, or divorce, and were eager to learn how to express their struggles and convey how God supported them through it all. As James Finley states, "God doesn't shield us from hardships, but rather miraculously upholds us through them."
However, the question remains: how can we effectively express our personal experiences and stories through powerful and impactful musical compositions?
As we journey through life, we experience both the highs and lows. However, when it comes to expressing our personal experiences in Christian songs, how can we effectively convey our testimonies? I have three suggestions that might assist you in reflecting on how to effectively capture your testimonials in a manner that resonates with listeners and provides them with solace, recovery, and optimism.
Initially, attempt to discover a shared element within your narrative that numerous individuals can relate to.
We are all familiar with the emotions of loneliness and feeling lost at times. The most effective way to connect with others through your storytelling is to provide them with a relatable experience. It is important for people to be able to find elements of their own lives in your story, allowing them to become emotionally invested in it.
If your story doesn't resonate with us and evoke memories of our own experiences, we will lose interest. Becky Norquist, a friend of ours who attended NCS, went through the heart-wrenching experience of five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Her music and ministry are dedicated to supporting grieving families, but she also incorporates universal themes in her songs that anyone who has experienced any form of loss – which includes all of us – can relate to and continue to connect with her music.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or mood rather than getting caught up in
I remember hearing songwriter and publisher Dave Clark (from Lillenas Music) say this and it stuck with me. It may seem contradictory at first, but it's not. The first point is to choose a central theme or emotion for your song. The second point is to avoid including unnecessary details in your lyrics that don't contribute to the listener's understanding. If you delve too much into specific locations, times, dates, names, or other details, you might end up losing the audience's interest.
When you are able to identify the shared theme and emotion in your story that I can connect with, you encourage me to become a part of your narrative. If the specific details you provide do not align with my own experiences, it may deter me from fully engaging. Although it may seem challenging, it is possible to achieve this balance. You can learn to provide the right amount of detail that focuses on conveying your emotions during the difficult times and then transition towards highlighting the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
A testimonial song is a type of song that reflects the victories and successes that God has brought into your life.
It is important to recognize the unique aspects of your own experiences that may not resonate with others. One way to approach this is by seeking out examples of songs that align with the emotions you want to convey and observing how the songwriters engage listeners in those emotions rather than focusing solely on sharing specific details.
Next, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
If you're still feeling the emotional and physical pain from a traumatic experience, it can be challenging to create a genuine testimonial song about it. Expressing your pain too intensely in your lyrics might be perceived as self-centered, unless you're composing a typical sad country song that evokes tears. If that's the direction you want to take, go ahead and do it, but keep in mind that it won't be a true testimony. It will be a song that portrays sadness in the country genre.
When considering your audience, it's important to recognize that they likely have their own struggles to handle. If you simply unload your own problems onto them, they might not be willing to listen for very long. This is why therapists and journals exist – they serve as outlets for your personal issues and pain. It's crucial to think about how your lyrics will impact your listeners. What kind of emotional state are you inviting them into? 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 that is based on Scripture and applicable to a broad audience. Instead of writing a song that focuses solely on your childhood experiences, it might be beneficial to explore positive biblical themes that showcase how God's healing power can overcome any negative circumstances. There are countless ways to express your testimony, so it would be worthwhile to consider different approaches before sharing your personal pain with others.
In summary, a testimonial song is a song that showcases how God has overcome challenges in your life. The act of catharsis, or emotional release, is crucial for your well-being. It might be beneficial for you to write these songs for yourself as well, but it's important to note that there is a distinction between the two types of songs. Catharsis involves venting 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.
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 individuals seek free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you're truly committed to advancing your songwriting skills and have a deep desire to establish your ministry, you can use the provided link to arrange a free and non-binding phone call. This call will help you determine whether this program is the right fit for you. To schedule your complimentary phone call, click here.
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