Personal Testimony in Blog Writing
My journey to finding Christ began in a challenging childhood that many refer to as "dysfunctional" today. However, during the tumultuous era of the 1960s and 1970s, my family and I were simply navigating through life without realizing there was a specific term for our experiences. Nevertheless, Jesus miraculously entered my life and changed everything.
I underwent a profound change when someone assisted me in establishing a profound connection with the indescribable love that Jesus embodies for the very first time.
The photo was taken by Laura E. Partain
In a single moment, my entire life was completely transformed. This love that I experienced has been my source of strength and support for more than five decades, guiding me through both the highs and lows, the successes and sorrows, and even the joyful moments. I firmly believe that my life took a different direction when I first felt the overwhelming love of God at the age of eighteen.
The thing that keeps me going and motivates me in my work is the reason I am still present in this field. It is the driving force behind my career as a Christian songwriter and my desire to assist others in creating songs that can convey the incredible truth. The fundamental principle of Nashville Christian Songwriters and all our various platforms, including podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs, is to spread the message of Jesus' love to all individuals across the world.
What is your personal story of faith? It could be that you experienced God's love during your childhood church experiences, or perhaps you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction. It's also possible that you have been deeply hurt by a significant loss. Through our coaching programs, I have had conversations with numerous Christian songwriters who have gone through immense pain, abuse, or divorce. They seek to learn how to express their struggles and how God has provided them with strength and support during those difficult times. According to James Finley, God does not shield us from life's challenges, but amazingly helps us endure and persevere through them.
However, how can we effectively express our personal experiences and beliefs through powerful songs?
As we navigate through life, we experience both the highs and lows. However, when it comes to expressing our personal stories through Christian songs, how can we effectively capture our testimonies? Here are three helpful tips to consider in order to convey your experiences in a way that resonates with listeners and offers them comfort, healing, and hope.
Initially, attempt to discover a shared element within your narrative that many individuals can relate to.
Loneliness and feeling lost are emotions that are familiar to everyone. To connect with others through your story, it is important to create a sense of relatability. By allowing people to find elements of their own experiences in your narrative, you can engage them and make them feel a part of your song. It is crucial for us to be able to connect our own stories with yours, as this allows us to develop a deep appreciation for your work.
If your story doesn't capture our attention and resonate with something we have personally experienced, we will lose interest. One of our friends and a former student of NCS, Becky Norquist, has endured the heartbreak 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 allow anyone who has experienced any form of loss – which includes all of us – to relate and remain connected to her music.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or mood rather than getting caught up in
The statement was made by Dave Clark (Lillenas Music), a highly productive songwriter and publisher, and it has stuck with me ever since. This may seem contradictory at first, but it's not. The initial point is to identify a central theme or emotion to base your song on. The second point is to refrain from including irrelevant details in your song that do not contribute to the listener's understanding. If you delve too much into specifics like location, time, dates, names, or other unnecessary information, there is a chance that the listener may lose interest.
By identifying the shared theme and emotion in your narrative that resonates with me, you create an opportunity for me to connect with your music. If the specific details of your story do not align with my own experiences, it may discourage me. Although it may seem challenging, it is possible to achieve. You can learn to strike a balance between providing sufficient or excessive details, focusing on conveying the emotions you felt during the difficult time and then shifting the narrative towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
… a testimonial song is a song that tells the story of how God achieved victory in your life.
… a testimonial song is a song that demonstrates the ways in which God succeeded in your life.
It is important to recognize the details in your story that are unique to you and may not resonate with others. To enhance your songwriting, it can be beneficial to study examples of songs that evoke emotions in listeners by skillfully inviting them into a particular experience, rather than simply listing specific details.
Next, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
If you are still experiencing emotional pain and trauma from a significant event in your life, it can be challenging to authentically write a song that reflects those experiences. Expressing your feelings through lyrics may be seen as self-centered unless you are aiming to create a sorrowful country song. If that is your intention, then go ahead and pursue it, but it is important to recognize that it is not a genuine testimony, but rather a melancholic country song.
Considering your audience's perspective is important because they likely have their own difficulties to handle. If you simply unload your problems onto them, they may not be willing to listen for long. This is why therapists and journals exist – they serve as outlets for your personal issues and pain. It's crucial to think about the impact your lyrics will have on your listeners. What kind of emotional space are you creating for them? How will they feel once they've heard your song?
In my opinion, Brandon Lake and the Elevation Worship team have successfully created an energetic praise song called "My Testimony" that effectively conveys a broad message based on Scripture. Instead of writing a song that focuses on your childhood experiences, it might be more beneficial to explore uplifting Scriptural themes that illustrate how God's healing power can overcome all negative aspects. There are numerous approaches to sharing your personal testimony, so it would be beneficial to explore alternative methods before expressing your pain in a way that may overwhelm the listeners.
In summary, a testimonial song is one that illustrates how God has succeeded in your life. The process of catharsis is crucial for your emotional well-being. It might be beneficial for you to write these songs for yourself as well, but it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonials. Catharsis involves releasing emotions, while testimonials rejoice in God's triumph over the difficulties you have faced and the ultimate victory in your soul, regardless of the path taken.
In our NCS Pro Song Mastery program, which lasts for eight weeks and is conducted online, we delve deep into the art of crafting testimony songs and explore various other aspects. 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, feel free to use the provided link to schedule a complimentary phone call. This call serves as an opportunity for you to determine if this program aligns with your needs and interests. Follow the link to schedule your free call.
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