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Expressing Your Personal Experience
My journey towards finding faith in Christ began in a difficult childhood that is often referred to as "dysfunctional" by society. However, during the tumultuous era of the 1960s and 1970s, my family and I were simply navigating through life without realizing the significance of our struggles. Nevertheless, it was during this time that Jesus miraculously entered my life.
My life underwent a significant change when someone guided me to experience the unimaginable affection that Jesus has for us for the very first time.
The photograph was taken by Laura E. Partain
In a single moment, my entire life was completely disrupted. This very love has been my source of strength for more than half a century, guiding me through all the highs and lows, the successes and sorrows, as well as the positive experiences. I can attest that the course of my life 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 purpose is to assist you in creating songs that can beautifully convey this extraordinary truth. The fundamental principle of Nashville Christian Songwriters is to spread the message of Jesus' love through our podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs, reaching out to people all around the world.
What is your personal story of faith? It could be that you experienced God's love when you were young, attending church, or perhaps you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction. It's also possible that you were deeply hurt by a significant loss in your life. I have had conversations with numerous Christian songwriters who have been through immense pain, abuse, or divorce, and they have expressed a desire to learn how to convey their experiences and how God helped them through it. According to James Finley, God doesn't shield us from hardships, but He miraculously supports and sustains us through them.
However, the question remains: how can we effectively convey our personal experiences and 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, how can we effectively convey our testimonies? In this regard, I have three suggestions that I believe will assist you in considering the most effective ways to capture your personal stories in songs that will resonate with listeners, providing them with comfort, healing, and hope.
Initially, attempt to discover a shared theme or element in your story that can resonate with a large number of individuals.
Loneliness and feeling lost are familiar emotions that everyone can relate to at times. To engage others in your story, it is crucial to provide them with a sense of identification. By incorporating elements of our shared experiences into your narrative, we allow individuals to connect with your song on a personal level. It is important to leave room for listeners to fill in the gaps with their own stories, as this enables them to develop a deep appreciation for yours.
If there is nothing in your story that captures our attention and reminds us of something we have personally experienced, we will lose interest. One of our friends and former student at NCS, Becky Norquist, went through the heartbreaking experience of five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Her songs and ministry are centered around providing support for grieving families, but she also incorporates enough universal themes in her music that anyone who has experienced any form of loss – which includes all of us – can relate to and remain engaged with her songs.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or mood rather than getting caught up in
The statement was initially made by Dave Clark, a well-known songwriter and publisher at Lillenas Music, and it has stayed with me ever since. At first glance, this may seem contradictory, but it's not. The initial point is to discover a central theme or emotion to base your song on. The second point advises against including unnecessary details in your song that won't be beneficial to your listener. If you delve too much into specifics like location, time, dates, names, or other details, there is a chance that the listener may lose 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 of your story don't align with my own experiences, it may deter me. Although it may seem challenging, it is possible. You can learn to find the right balance of providing sufficient or excessive detail to focus on your emotions during the difficult time and then shift the narrative towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
A testimonial song is a type of song that recounts and celebrates how God achieved victory 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. To help with this, you can seek inspiration from songs that convey the kind of emotion you want to capture and observe how the songwriters engage listeners by evoking feelings rather than simply stating facts.
Additionally, it is important to understand and distinguish between the concepts of catharsis and testimonial
If you're still emotionally wounded and in pain from a traumatic experience, it becomes challenging to create an authentic song that serves as a testimony to it. Expressing your pain too openly in your lyrics can sometimes be perceived as self-centered, unless you're composing a traditional country song that embraces sorrow. If that's what you genuinely wish to do, then go ahead and pursue it. However, it's important to recognize that it wouldn't be considered a testimony but rather a melancholic country song.
When considering your audience, it is important to recognize that they likely have their own problems and difficulties to handle. If you simply unload your own issues onto them, they may not be inclined to listen for very long. This is why therapists and journals exist – they serve as outlets for your personal struggles and emotional pain. It is 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 succeeded in creating a wonderful praise song called "My Testimony" that effectively conveys a broad message based on Scripture. Instead of writing a song solely about your childhood experiences, it might be more beneficial to focus on positive Scriptural themes that showcase God's ability to heal and triumph over negativity. There are numerous approaches to presenting your own testimony, so it would be worthwhile to explore different avenues before sharing your personal pain with others.
In summary, a testimonial song is one that highlights the ways in which God has succeeded in your life. It is crucial for your emotional well-being to experience catharsis. It might be beneficial for you to write these songs for yourself as well, but it is important to recognize the distinction between the two types. Catharsis involves releasing emotions, while testimonials commemorate God's triumph over the challenges you have faced and the ultimate victory He has achieved in your spirit, regardless of the path you took to reach it.
In our NCS Pro Song Mastery program, which lasts for eight weeks and takes place online, we delve into the art of writing testimony songs and explore various other topics. While many individuals may seek out free courses and webinars on Christian songwriting, if you are truly committed to advancing your songwriting skills and feel a deep desire to develop your ministry, we invite you to use the provided link to schedule a free phone call. This call carries no obligations and will help determine if our program is suitable for your needs. Book your free call now.
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