I’m a big movie buff. Last year, I went to the movie theater to see the Elton John biopic “Rocketman.” Also, around the same time I went to see this movie, I worked remotely at a Starbucks a couple of days during the week “Rocketman” was in theaters. While at Starbucks, I heard the song “Rocketman” along with several other Elton John songs over and over.
Coincidence? No way.
Marketing Firms, Movie Companies and other Agencies are very smart when it comes to consciously or subconsciously influencing us.
My Starbucks experience got me thinking – in the same way that a movie company can think through and plan to connect with other organizations to play songs to influence us to see a movie or purchase music – we can use our Pre-Service playlists in the same way for our Worship Experiences.
Am I suggesting we manipulate our people? No.
But I am suggesting that we can be more intentional about elements of our Worship Experience to create just that – an experience for our guests.
If you teach in Sermon Series at your church, let me encourage you – switch up your Pre-Service Playlist every series to choose songs that can be an influence in conjunction with the topic of your series.
The new movie Faith Under Fire is available now on digital and DVD. Enjoy this interview with actor Dean Cain who plays the part of a pastor in this film.
You don’t have to have all of your pastor’s sermon notes to be able to do this either. If you know what series you are in, you might have a pretty good idea how to build your Pre-Service Playlist. By all means, connect with your pastor if you can, but feel free to discern where you might be going and take the lead in putting your playlist together.
I believe we can be more intentional about the environments we create on Sundays and on online.
Think through the experience you are creating. And be intentional.
Carl Barnhill has served on staff at some of the largest churches and organizations in the country. He served as Media Director at Precept Ministries International, directing the television and radio program Precepts for Life with Kay Arthur, broadcasted to over 98 million homes around the world. He served as Video Production Director at Pinelake Church in Brandon, MS. He most recently served as Video Coordinator for Newspring Church in South Carolina. He currently serves as Creative Director and Owner of[twelve:thirty]media, serving churches and ministries all over the world through motion graphics content and church media coaching.
