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Expressing Your Personal Experience
I discovered my faith in Christ after enduring a challenging upbringing that is often referred to as "dysfunctional" by society. However, during the tumultuous times of the 1960s and 70s, my family and I simply considered it as our way of life. Unbeknownst to us, the term "dysfunctional" would later be ascribed to our experiences. Nevertheless, Jesus miraculously intervened in my life during that period.
My life underwent a remarkable change when I received assistance in establishing a profound connection with the ineffable affection that Jesus possesses.
The image was captured by Laura E. Partain
In a single moment, my entire life was completely disrupted. This love I experienced has been my source of strength and support for more than five decades, carrying me through both the highs and lows, the successes and sorrows, as well as the positive experiences. My personal account is 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 presence and purpose in life is because of this. It is why I pursue a career as a Christian songwriter and aim to assist others in crafting songs that can convey the incredible truth of this. The fundamental principle that drives Nashville Christian Songwriters and all our platforms, including podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs, is to spread the love of Jesus to every individual on Earth.
What is your personal experience with God? It could be that you experienced His love while attending church as a child, or maybe you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction. It's also possible that you have been deeply hurt by a significant loss. I have had conversations with many Christian songwriters who have gone through immense pain, abuse, or divorce, and they were interested in our coaching programs to learn how to express their emotions and how God helped them through those difficult times. According to James Finley, God does not protect us from hardships, but rather miraculously supports us through them.
However, the task of expressing our personal experiences and stories through exceptional songs remains a challenge. How can we effectively convey our testimonies through remarkable musical compositions?
Throughout our lives, we experience both the highs and lows. However, when it comes to expressing our personal stories through Christian music, how can we effectively convey our testimonies? I have three suggestions that I believe can assist you in effectively capturing your personal experiences in a manner that resonates with listeners, providing them with comfort, healing, and hope.
Initially, attempt to discover a shared element in your narrative that a significant number of individuals can relate to.
Most individuals have experienced loneliness or a sense of being directionless at some point. To engage others in your narrative, it is crucial to provide them with relatable elements. Incorporating aspects of our shared experiences allows us to connect with and appreciate your story. Our own personal tales can fill in the gaps, enabling us to develop a fondness for your narrative.
If there is nothing in your story that captivates and resonates with us, we will lose interest. One of our friends and a former student of NCS, Becky Norquist, went through the difficult experience of enduring five miscarriages and one stillbirth. She has centered her songs and ministry around supporting grieving families, but she has also incorporated enough universal themes in her music so that anyone who has experienced any form of loss – which includes all of us – can relate to and stay engaged with her songs.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or sentiment rather than getting caught up in
According to Dave Clark, a well-known songwriter and publisher, one should remember to focus on a central theme or emotion when writing a song. This is different from the previous point, as it emphasizes the importance of avoiding unnecessary details that may confuse or disengage the listener. It is advised to refrain from delving too deeply into specifics such as locations, dates, names, and other details, as this may result in losing the listener's interest.
When you identify the shared element and emotion in your story that resonates with me, you make me feel included in your narrative. If the specific details in your story differ from my own experiences, it may discourage me. Although it may seem challenging, it is possible to achieve. You can learn to find the right amount of detail that focuses on the emotions you felt during the difficult situation and then shift the narrative towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
… a testimonial song is a song that depicts the ways in which God has achieved victory in your life.
It is important to recognize the unique aspects of your own story that may not resonate with others. To improve your songwriting, it can be helpful to study and analyze songs that evoke certain emotions instead of simply listing specific details.
Thirdly, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
If you are still emotionally wounded and affected by a traumatic experience, it can be challenging to write a sincere song that reflects your personal testimony. Expressing your pain too vividly in your lyrics might be perceived as self-centered, unless you are composing a typical country song that allows for emotional release. If that is your intention, then go ahead and pursue it, but be aware that it would be more of a melancholic country song rather than a genuine testament to your experiences.
Taking into consideration the needs of your audience, it becomes apparent that they likely have their own struggles to cope with. If you simply unload your own issues onto them, they may not be willing to listen for very long. This is why professionals like therapists and personal journals exist – to provide an outlet for your dysfunction and pain. It's important 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 successfully created an uplifting praise song called "My Testimony" that effectively conveys a broad message based on Scripture. Instead of writing a song that solely focuses on your personal childhood experiences, it might be beneficial to explore positive themes from the Scriptures that showcase how God's healing power overcomes all negativity. There are numerous approaches to sharing your testimony, so it would be worth considering alternative methods before expressing your pain in a way that may be overwhelming for others.
In summary, a testimonial song is a song that highlights the ways in which God has overcome challenges in your life. It is important for your emotional well-being to have a release and find catharsis. While it may be beneficial to write such songs for yourself, it's important to remember that there is a distinction between catharsis and testimonial songs. Catharsis involves expressing and letting go of emotions, while testimonials celebrate God's triumphs over the difficulties you have faced, ultimately leading to victory in your soul, regardless of how you reach that point.
In our NCS Pro Song Mastery program, which takes place over eight weeks and is conducted online, we delve into the art of testimony songs and much more. While many individuals seek free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are eager to advance your songwriting skills and have a deep desire to establish your ministry, you can use the provided link to arrange a free phone call. This call will allow you to determine if our program is suitable for your needs, without any obligations. You can schedule your free call by clicking here.
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