Personal Testimony in Writing
My journey towards finding faith in Christ began during a difficult upbringing that is now commonly referred to as "dysfunctional." However, back then, it was just the norm during the turbulent era of the 1960s and '70s. Unaware that our experiences would later be labeled, Jesus somehow entered my life and made a significant impact.
My life underwent a significant change when someone assisted me in understanding and feeling the unimaginable love that Jesus has for me.
The photo was taken by Laura E. Partain
In a single moment, my entire life took a drastic turn. This enduring love has been my source of strength and support for more than five decades, guiding me through the highs and lows, the successes and sorrows, and all the other positive experiences as well. I can confidently say that everything in my life shifted permanently when I first experienced the overwhelming love of God at the age of eighteen.
The reason why I am still present and continue to engage in my work is because of this particular reason. This reason is what drives me to be a songwriter who focuses on Christian themes and aims to assist others in creating songs that can effectively convey the awe-inspiring truth of Christianity. It is the central principle that guides Nashville Christian Songwriters and all of our various platforms, including podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs, which are all designed to spread the message of Jesus' love to every individual on Earth.
What is your personal story of faith?
Perhaps you experienced God's love during your childhood while attending church, or maybe you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction. It could also be that you went through a devastating loss that left you broken. I have had conversations with numerous Christian songwriters who have shown interest in our coaching programs. Many of them have endured significant hardships such as abuse, divorce, or other traumatic experiences, and they want to express their pain through their music while highlighting how God has supported them throughout it all. James Finley suggests that God does not shield us from life's challenges, but instead miraculously helps us endure them.
However, how can we effectively convey our personal experiences and stories through powerful songs?
Throughout our lives, we experience both the joys and challenges that come our way. However, when it comes to expressing our personal experiences and stories through Christian songs, how can we do it effectively? Here are three suggestions that I believe can assist you in effectively conveying your testimonies in a way that resonates with listeners and provides them with comfort, healing, and hope.
To start with, attempt to discover a shared element in your narrative that many individuals can relate to.
Loneliness and feeling lost are emotions that are familiar to everyone. By sharing a story that people can relate to, you can effectively engage them in your song. It is important to incorporate elements of our own experiences into your story, allowing us to connect and develop a fondness for your music.
If the content of your story fails to capture our attention and evoke emotions that resonate with experiences we have encountered, we will lose interest. Becky Norquist, a former student of NCS and a close friend, has endured the heartbreaking experience of going through five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Through her music and ministry, she primarily focuses on providing comfort and support to grieving families. However, she also incorporates universal themes in her songs, allowing anyone who has experienced any form of loss – which includes all of us – to connect with her music and remain engaged.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or mood rather than getting caught up in
The idea of finding a central theme for your song was introduced to me by Dave Clark, a well-known songwriter and publisher. This may seem contradictory, but it's not. The first point is about choosing an emotional theme to base your song on. The second point is to avoid including unnecessary details in your song that don't add value for the listener. If you focus too much on specific locations, times, dates, names, or other specifics, you might end up losing the audience's interest.
When you identify the shared theme and emotion in your story that resonates with me, you welcome me into your narrative. If the specific details of your experience differ from mine, it may deter my interest. While it may seem challenging, it is possible to achieve a balance between providing sufficient or excessive detail in order to emphasize your emotions during the difficult times and subsequently shift the focus towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
… a testimonial song is a musical expression that highlights 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 be relatable to others. To help with this, you can look for examples of songs that capture the emotions you want to express and observe how the songwriters engage listeners in those emotions rather than simply listing specific details.
Next, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
If you are still emotionally affected and in pain from a traumatic experience, it can be difficult to write a genuine song reflecting on it. Expressing your pain through lyrics can sometimes be seen as self-centered, unless you are writing a traditional country song meant to evoke sadness. If that is your intention, then go ahead and pursue it, but be aware that it is not a true testament of your experience. It would be more accurately described as a melancholic country song.
When you prioritize your audience, you may come to understand that they likely have their own struggles to cope with. If you simply unload your own problems onto them, they may not be willing to listen for very long. This is why therapists and journals exist; they serve as outlets for your difficulties and emotional pain. It is important 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 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 focusing on writing a song that specifically narrates your own childhood story, it might be beneficial to explore positive Scriptural themes that highlight God's healing power over any negative experiences. There are numerous ways to express your testimony, so it would be helpful to consider other approaches before delving into personal pain in your music.
In summary, a testimonial song is a song that expresses how 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 note that there is a distinction between the two types. Catharsis is a way of releasing emotions, while testimonials celebrate God's triumph over the challenges you have faced, and His ultimate victory in your spirit regardless of the path you took to get there.
In our NCS Pro Song Mastery program, which lasts for eight weeks and takes place online, we delve deep into the art of testimony songs and much more. While many individuals may be interested in accessing free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are truly committed to advancing your songwriting skills and feel a strong desire to develop your ministry, you can use the provided link to arrange a free phone call. This call will help you determine if our program is suited to your needs and is a completely obligation-free opportunity. You can schedule your free call by clicking here.
Please consider sharing this article with your friends. If you have any thoughts or comments, feel free to leave a reply. Additionally, you can save your name, email, and website on this browser for future comments.
In this code snippet, the getElementById method is used to retrieve an HTML element with the ID "ak_js_1". The setAttribute method is then used to modify the "value" attribute of this element. The new value
This content is organized into different categories and tags for easier navigation. You can find more posts by browsing through our site. We offer various features, including popular podcasts, and you can learn more about us on our About page. Don't forget to sign up for our free Pro Songwriters Top 10 Tip Sheet to get started with your courses.