Personal Testimony in Blog Writing
In my upbringing, which many would label as "dysfunctional" nowadays, I found my way to Christ. Back in the tumultuous era of the 1960s and 70s, my family and I were simply living our lives without realizing that our experiences would later be categorized with a specific term. However, it was during this time that Jesus miraculously entered my life.
My life underwent a significant change when someone guided me to experience the overwhelming love of Jesus, a love that is impossible to put into words.
The photo was taken 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 five decades, guiding me through both the highs and lows, the successes and sorrows, and even the moments of joy. I can confidently say that my life took a permanent shift when I experienced the love of God for the first time at the age of eighteen.
The reason for my existence and the motivation behind my work is the love of Jesus. This is why I pursue a career as a Christian songwriter and aim to assist others in creating songs that can convey this incredible reality. The foundation of Nashville Christian Songwriters and all of its platforms, including podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs, is to spread the love of Jesus to people worldwide.
What is your personal story of faith?
Perhaps you experienced the love of God during your childhood church experiences, 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. Many Christian songwriters have reached out to us, expressing their interest in our coaching programs, and sharing their stories of enduring abuse, divorce, or other hardships. They seek to learn how to express their pain through their music and acknowledge how God has supported them throughout these challenges. James Finley once said, "God doesn't shield us from hardships, but rather miraculously sustains us through them."
However, how can we effectively express our personal experiences and stories through powerful songs?
Throughout our lives, we experience both the highs and lows that come with it. However, when it comes to expressing our personal experiences in Christian songs, how can we do it effectively? Here are three tips that I believe can assist you in effectively capturing your testimonies in a way that resonates with listeners and provides them with comfort, healing, and hope.
Initially, attempt to discover a shared aspect within your narrative that numerous individuals can relate to.
We all have experienced loneliness or feeling lost at some point in our lives. In order to connect with others through your storytelling, it is important to make them relate to your experiences. By incorporating elements that resonate with their own lives, they can fill in the missing pieces and become emotionally invested in your story.
If your story doesn't captivate us and evoke familiarity with something we've personally experienced, we will lose interest. Becky Norquist, a former student of our institution, has encountered the pain of enduring five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Through her music and ministry, she primarily addresses grieving families, but she also incorporates broader themes into her songs that resonate with anyone who has suffered any form of loss – essentially, all of us can relate and remain engaged with her music.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or mood rather than getting caught up in
The statement was originally made by Dave Clark, a well-known songwriter and publisher at Lillenas Music, and it has stuck with me since then. At first, it 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 do not benefit the listener. If you delve too much into specific locations, times, dates, names, or other particulars, there is a chance that the listener may become disengaged.
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 don't align with my own experiences, it might create a disconnect. However, it is not an impossible task. You can learn to find the right balance of providing sufficient or excessive details to emphasize your emotions during the challenging times and then shift the focus towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
… a testimonial song is a song that demonstrates the ways in which God has achieved victory in your life.
It is important to understand that there may be certain details in your story that are unique to you and cannot be related to by others. To overcome this, it can be helpful to look for examples of songs that are similar to the one you want to write and observe how the writers engage listeners by evoking emotions rather than simply listing specific details.
Thirdly, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
If you are still feeling the emotional pain and distress from a traumatic experience in your life, it can be challenging to authentically express it through a testimonial song. Often, pouring your personal struggles into lyrics can be seen as self-focused, unless you are creating a typical country song that reflects on heartbreak. If that is your intention, feel free to pursue it, but keep in mind that it may not truly serve as a testament to your experiences but rather a melancholic country tune.
When considering your audience, it's important to recognize that they likely have their own problems and challenges to deal with. If you unload all of your own issues onto them, they may not be willing to listen for very long. This is why therapists and journals exist – they are meant to be a place where you can express your dysfunction and pain. It's important to think about how your lyrics will impact your listeners. What kind of emotional space 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 encompasses a broad message based on Scripture. Instead of focusing on writing a song about your personal childhood story, it might be more beneficial to explore positive Scriptural themes that showcase how God's healing power can overcome all the negative aspects of life. There are countless ways to express your testimony, so it is worth considering alternative approaches before delving into a song that primarily focuses on your pain.
In summary, a testimonial song is a song that conveys how God has triumphed in your life. It is important, and even necessary, for your emotional well-being to experience catharsis. While it may be beneficial for you to write these songs for yourself as well, it is crucial to recognize the distinction between catharsis and testimonials. Catharsis is a process of releasing emotions, while testimonials celebrate God's victory over the challenges you have faced and His ultimate triumph in your inner being, regardless of the path you have taken.
In our NCS Pro Song Mastery program, which takes place over eight weeks and is conducted online, we delve into the art of creating testimony songs and much more. While many individuals may be looking for free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are truly committed to advancing your songwriting skills and feel a deep calling to establish your own ministry, click on the provided link to arrange a free phone call. This call is not binding and serves as an opportunity for you to determine if this program is suitable for your needs. Secure your free call by scheduling it here.
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