Personal Blog
Sharing My Journey to Faith
I found my way to Christianity after growing up in a challenging upbringing that is often referred to as "dysfunctional" by society today. However, during the tumultuous years of the 1960s and '70s, my family and I simply considered it as our normal way of life. Little did we know that there would be a specific term coined to describe the difficulties we faced. Nevertheless, Jesus somehow entered my life and made a significant impact.
My life underwent a significant 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 transformed. This enduring love has been my source of strength and support for more than half a century, guiding me through all the highs and lows, the successes and sorrows, and even the joyful moments. The pivotal point in my life occurred when I experienced God's love for the very first time at the age of eighteen.
The reason for my existence and the motivation behind my work is the love of Jesus. Being a Christian songwriter, my goal is to assist others in crafting songs that can effectively capture and convey this incredible reality. The fundamental principle that drives Nashville Christian Songwriters, as well as all our podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs, is to spread the message of Jesus' love to every individual on Earth.
What is your personal story of faith?
Perhaps you experienced the love of God during your childhood church visits, or maybe you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction. It's also possible that you have been deeply affected by a significant loss in your life. Many Christian songwriters who have faced immense pain, abuse, or divorce have approached us about our coaching programs. They are interested in learning how to convey their struggles and how God has provided them with strength and support throughout their journey. According to James Finley, God does not shield us from challenges, but rather miraculously sustains us through every circumstance we face.
However, the challenge lies in finding a way to express our personal experiences and stories through impactful and memorable music.
Throughout our journey in life, we experience both the highs and lows. However, when it comes to expressing our personal experiences and faith through Christian music, it can be challenging. To assist you in effectively capturing your testimonies in songs that resonate with listeners and provide them with comfort, healing, and hope, I have three valuable tips.
To start, attempt to identify a shared theme in your narrative that many individuals can relate to.
Loneliness and feeling lost are emotions that are familiar to everyone. To engage people in your story, it is important to create a connection that allows them to relate to it. By incorporating elements of their own experiences, listeners can better connect with and appreciate your song.
If there's nothing in your narrative that captures our attention and resonates with experiences we've had, we will lose interest. Becky Norquist, a friend of ours who attended NCS, went through the difficult experience of enduring five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Through her music and ministry, she primarily reaches out to grieving families, but she also includes enough universal themes in her songs so that anyone who has experienced any form of loss – which is all of us – can relate and continue to connect with her music.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or sentiment rather than getting caught up in
The statement was made by Dave Clark, a well-known songwriter and publisher from Lillenas Music, and it has stuck with me ever since. At first glance, this may seem contradictory, but it's not. The initial point is to choose a central theme or emotion to base your song on. The second point is to avoid including unnecessary details in your song that won't be helpful to your listeners. If you delve too deeply into specific locations, timeframes, dates, names, or other minutiae, there's a chance that your audience may become disengaged.
By identifying the shared theme and underlying emotion in your story that I can personally connect with, you engage me in your narrative. If the specific details you provide differ from my own experiences, it may deter me from fully engaging. Although it may seem challenging, it is possible to achieve. You can acquire the skill of including just the right amount of detail, avoiding excessive or insufficient information, in order to emphasize your emotional journey during the challenging period and ultimately highlight the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
…a testimonial song is a musical composition that highlights the victorious presence of God in one's personal experiences.
It is important to recognize the unique details of your own personal experiences that may not resonate with others. To improve your songwriting, it can be helpful to study the techniques used by other songwriters who effectively evoke emotions in their audience rather than simply describing specific events.
Next, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
When you're still feeling the pain and emotional scars of a devastating event in your life, it can be challenging to express it authentically through a song. Sharing your raw emotions in your lyrics might be seen as self-centered, unless you're crafting a typical country song that wallows in sadness. If that's the direction you choose, go ahead and pursue it, but understand that it won't be a genuine testimony—it will simply be a sorrowful country tune.
When considering your audience, it's important to recognize that they likely have their own challenges and struggles to handle. If you simply unload your own pain onto them, they may not be willing to listen for long. That's why professionals like therapists and personal journals exist – they serve as a safe outlet for your emotional struggles and wounds. It's essential to think about the impact of your lyrics on your listeners. What kind of emotional atmosphere 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 done an excellent job with their uplifting praise song called "My Testimony" by conveying a message that is based on Scripture and applicable to a wide audience. Instead of writing a song that focuses solely on your childhood story, it may be more effective to explore positive Biblical themes that highlight God's healing power in overcoming negative experiences. There are numerous ways to express your personal testimony, so it's worth considering alternative approaches before sharing your pain with others.
In summary, a testimonial song represents the way in which God has prevailed in your life. It is crucial for your emotional well-being to experience catharsis. It may be beneficial for you to write these songs for yourself as well, but it is essential to understand the distinction between the two types. Catharsis involves releasing pent-up emotions, while testimonials commemorate God's triumph over the hardships you have faced, ultimately leading to victory in your soul regardless of the path taken.
In our NCS Pro Song Mastery program, we provide an immersive eight-week online coaching and mentoring experience where we explore testimony songs and various other aspects. While many individuals seek free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are eager to enhance your songwriting skills and have a strong desire to establish your ministry, you can use the provided link to arrange a complimentary phone call. This call will help determine if our program aligns with your goals and interests. You can schedule your free call by clicking here.
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