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Sharing Your Personal Story
My journey to finding Christ began during a challenging childhood that is now referred to as "dysfunctional." However, during the tumultuous era of the 1960s and 1970s, my family and I simply considered it as our way of life. It was unexpected, but Jesus somehow intervened in my life during that time.
I went through a significant change in my life when someone assisted me in forming a deep connection with the unimaginable love that Jesus possesses.
The photo credit for this image goes to Laura E
In a single moment, my entire life was completely transformed. This very love has been my source of strength and support for more than half a century, guiding me through the highs and lows, the successes and misfortunes, and even the pleasant experiences. I can confidently say that the course of my life took a permanent shift when I first experienced the love of God at the age of eighteen.
The reason for my continued presence and the motivation behind my actions is this. It is the driving force behind my profession as a Christian songwriter and my desire to assist you in creating songs that can effectively convey this incredible truth. This principle serves as the foundation for Nashville Christian Songwriters, and all of our podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs are dedicated to spreading Jesus' love to every individual on Earth.
What is your personal story of faith?
Perhaps you experienced God's love during your childhood church days, or maybe you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction. It's also possible that you went through a devastating loss that left you broken. In my conversations with numerous Christian songwriters, many of them have endured significant hardships such as abuse, divorce, or immense grief. They sought to learn how to convey their pain through music and express how God carried them through those difficult times. According to James Finley, God doesn't shield us from hardships, but rather miraculously sustains us through every trial we face.
However, the question remains, how can we effectively convey our personal experiences and stories through powerful and impactful songs?
As we journey 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 convey our testimonies? Here are three tips that I believe can assist you in effectively capturing your testimonials in a way that resonates with listeners and provides them with comfort, healing, and hope.
To begin with, attempt to discover a shared element within your narrative that many individuals can relate to.
The experience of loneliness or feeling lost is something that is universally understood. By connecting your story to people's own experiences, you can effectively engage them in your song. It is important to include elements that allow individuals to relate and insert their own personal narratives in order to create a meaningful connection with your story.
If your story fails to capture our attention and resonate with our own experiences, we will lose interest. Becky Norquist, a former student at NCS and our friend, has personally gone through the painful experience of five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Her music and ministry are centered around supporting grieving families, but she also includes enough universal themes in her songs so that anyone who has experienced any kind of loss – which includes all of us – can relate to and stay engaged with her music.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or mood rather than getting caught up in
The statement I'm about to share was originally said by Dave Clark, a well-known songwriter and publisher from Lillenas Music, and it has stayed with me ever since. At first glance, it might seem contradictory, but it's not. The initial point is to identify a central theme or emotion that will serve as the foundation for your song. The second point is to avoid including irrelevant details in your song that could confuse or distract your listeners. Going into excessive specifics like locations, times, dates, names, or any other unnecessary information increases the chance of losing the audience's interest.
When you identify the shared experiences and emotions in your story that resonate with me, it allows me to connect with your song. If the specific details don't align with my own, it may deter me. Although it may seem challenging, it is possible to strike a balance between providing sufficient or excessive detail and focusing on how you felt during the difficult situation, ultimately shifting the narrative towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
A testimonial song is a type of song that depicts the victories and successes that God has brought about in your life.
It is important to recognize the unique details of your own story that may not resonate with others. One way to enhance your songwriting is to study examples of songs that evoke specific emotions in listeners, rather than simply listing factual details.
Next, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
When you are still emotionally affected by a traumatic experience, it can be difficult to write a genuine song that reflects your feelings about it. Expressing your pain too intensely in your lyrics may come across as self-centered, unless you are aiming to create a typical country song that evokes sadness. If that is your intention, feel free to pursue it, but be aware that it won't be considered a personal testimony, but rather a melancholic country song.
When considering your audience, it's important to recognize that they likely have their own struggles to deal with. If you simply unload your own problems onto them, they may not be willing to listen for very long. This is why professionals like therapists and personal journals exist. They serve as a safe place for you to express your pain and dysfunction. It's 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 successfully created an energetic praise song called "My Testimony" that effectively conveys a universal message rooted in Scripture. Instead of writing a song specifically about your childhood experiences, it might be beneficial to focus on incorporating uplifting Scriptural themes that showcase how God's healing power triumphs over negativity. There are numerous approaches to sharing one's testimony, so it would be worthwhile to explore alternative methods before delving into personal pain in your song.
In summary, a testimonial song is one that showcases 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 your own personal healing, but it is important to recognize the distinction between catharsis and testimonial songs. Catharsis involves releasing emotions, while testimonials celebrate God's triumph over the challenges you have faced, highlighting His ultimate victory in your inner being regardless of the path taken.
In our NCS Pro Song Mastery program, which takes place over eight weeks online, we explore testimony songs and other topics in depth. While many people prefer free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are eager to enhance your songwriting skills and have 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 this program is suitable for you, and there is no obligation to commit. You can schedule your free call by clicking here.
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