The Hunger Games movie will be released in theaters this week. Culturally sensitive worship leaders should be aware of this.
If you don’t have teenagers, it’s possible that you’ve missed this trilogy. Don’t let the target audience keep you from reading this (and definitely read it before going to the theater). Suzanne Collins has produced a provocative classic that will keep you enthralled. You’ll also start many fascinating conversations with peers, family, church members and neighbors. My friend Cliff Ravenscraft, the Podcast Answer Man, has started a podcast dedicated to discussing this book series.
WARNING: This is not for the faint of heart or for younger readers (e.g. we’re not letting our 13-year old daughter read it or watch it, as there are too many disturbing topics and images).
If you have read the book, or seen the movie by the time you read this, you may wonder what this book has to do with worship. Valid question. Read on…
The Hunger Games tells the story of a civilization living in what was the United States and the senseless ways the Capital keeps its citizens under control. The most hideous punishment is a forced form of entertainment called the Hunger Games, where “tributes” are recruited to fight each other to the death till only one tribute remains alive. This tribute is rewarded with lifelong immunity and is promoted as a celebrity to the citizens.
(I’ve already revealed more than I should as one of the book’s strengths is the constant suspenseful storytelling. My apologies to those who haven’t read it, but trust me I have left out most pertinent details.)
So, in a story filled with senseless death, deception, corruption and domination by an obviously Christless government, what can worship leaders learn (and maybe just as important, why do I suggest worship leaders read this)? I hope the following points will answer those questions.
Before I answer that question though, I must ask who shouldn’t read The Hunger Games. Pastors for senior citizens or nursery workers may not find this book particularly useful for their ministry (though the seniors may see this as a way to connect with their grandkids). Also, if you have a weak stomach for violence, the themes of death and violence may disturb your sleep.
That said, I’ve been reading plenty of senseless death in the Bible recently– consider the story of King David and his ascension and fall from power at the hands of those closest to him.
The Hunger Games shocks the senses due to masterful storytelling. That is where worship leaders can benefit. A few weeks ago I suggested worship leaders learn to be better storytellers. I think there are quite a few things to learn from Suzanne Collins in this respect.
5 Things Worship Leaders Can Learn from The Hunger Games
1. Transitions make or break the flow of the “story.”
Suzanne Collins demonstrates mastery at leaving her audience anticipating the next chapter or the next book. I had made a decision to only read one chapter per night. That all changed when I reached the end of chapter one. The last sentence completely caught me off guard and left me wondering what was next. I did put the book down that first night, but after that I learned that if I wanted to fall asleep I needed to stop reading in the middle of the chapter. Needless to say I was hooked!
Worship leaders need to master the art of transitions. In his book Worship Matters, Bob Kauflin describes his habit of spending 30 minutes weekly just rehearsing his transitions so they are thoughtful, Spirit-led and natural. Sometimes, in our desire to be led by the Holy Spirit we forget that God can provide that inspiration in advance so that we can deliver His message clearly. That’s what usually happened with the Old Testament prophets – God told them to write down his message in advance. That’s a great lesson for worship leaders who may not feel as confident in their verbal skills as they are in singing or playing.
2. Start your service with a strong “hook”
I’ve seen countless services where a worship leader or church leader gets up and casually says something like, “Hi! We’re glad you’re here. Please stand and sing.” I find myself thinking, “Why should I sing? Maybe I don’t want to…”
What if I just learned that my grandmother died this morning? What if my dad just lost his job and I don’t know how I’m going to finish college? What if I’m still thinking about the fight we just had in the car while driving to church? What am I singing about anyway?
Most people need more time to prepare their hearts and minds to worship than a 10-second intro or even a beautifully played prelude, though that can be an important aspect of preparation.
Pastor Scotty Smith is masterful at creating an emotional and intellectual hook to draw worshipers into a worship service. He anticipates the sermon, but he also connects to his congregation’s current mindset. Of course, you could argue that this is all the Holy Spirit’s job. True enough. But I do think we play a role in creating a coherent worship service that retells the Gospel as we bring God glory. That requires both disciplined planning and a constant dependence on the Holy Spirit.
The Hunger Games accomplished this through a story that takes unexpected twists and turns. It also bonded readers to the lead characters quickly. When Katniss, the main character, finds herself in the hunger games, we’re instantly pulling for her because she is presented as a noble contrast to the Capital’s cruel sense of entertainment.
All songwriters know the importance of a memorable hook and the need to quickly draw people into a song. If this is true for a song or book, it’s even more true for a worship service. Here are some tips for those starting the service:
TIPS: 1. Find someone to lead the welcome who has a gift for connecting to people.
2. Make sure to share the direction of the worship service with all people involved with leading. Don’t assume they’ll pick it up through the bulletin or elsewhere. Also, don’t assume the other musicians can read your mind. 🙂
3. Intentionally prepare your opening comments as if someone might put down the “book” after the first chapter if you don’t hook them (this is when people stop singing, fall asleep or start talking to their neighbors (sometimes via Twitter).
4. Study how great speakers and novelists engage audiences from their very first sentences and discuss with your planning team how to bring some of those elements into your service.
5. Practice all your transitions, but especially the service introduction. Write it out if necessary.
3. Don’t overtell the story
Collins keeps the trilogy moving with an economy of words. She doesn’t get bogged down in overly descriptive passages, though she provides plenty of descriptors to help you enter the story.
If some worship leaders have a tendency to say very little, others have a tendency to say too much–often without getting across a clear message. It’s also possible to obscure the themes and Gospel nuggets you hope your congregation grasps by hiding them or not clearly stating these connections. You can do so artfully, but make sure it’s clear. I recommend testing it on your spouse or someone not intimately involved with planning your services.
RESOURCE: Consider this song by Sovereign Grace called Only You Satisfy by Zach Jones. Here are the lyrics:
So hungry, so thirsty for
That which satisfies
This world’s full of broken cisterns
That have left me dry
There’s only one place where I’ll
Find what You made me for
There’s only one true fountain
That satisfies my soul
Only You
You’re the Fountain of living water
Only You satisfy my soul
You’re the source of eternal pleasures
Only You satisfy my soul
So desperate, so needy for
You to open my eyes
To see where I’ve turned to idols
Where I’ve bought their lies
There’s only one place where I’ll
Find what I’m looking for
There’s only one true fountain
That satisfies my soul
Whom have I
In heaven but You, Lord
And the earth
Has no one
Above You, Lord
Whom have I
In heaven but You, Lord
And the earth
Has nothing I desire above You, Lord
© 2006 NAP Record
4. Acknowledge the real battle we fight
I lead worship every Sunday at McConnell Air Force base in Wichita, KS. The families in our chapel understand the cost and nature of war. Unfortunately, for many Christians we have forgotten that the real war we face has an external enemy.
The characters in The Hunger Games know the Capital is their enemy. They are fighting for the freedom of all regions in their post-war civilization. This is the overall conflict running through all three books.
TIPS:
1. Plan songs, scriptures and themes that consider the reality of spiritual battle.
2. While our worship services rightly should focus on the person of Jesus and His redeeming mission, we should also reflect regularly on how we handle the inevitable opposition from the devil.
3. Don’t sugarcoat spiritual warfare. It’s real and we face an enemy who will show no mercy.
RESOURCE: Here’s a song about spiritual battle from Cece Winans:
5. Highlight the importance of the Last Supper
Before tributes entered the playing field for their hunger games, they were treated to a meal of their choice. Typically something rich and sustaining, but also qualitatively better than anything they had ever eaten at home.
In worship we have the chance to regularly celebrate the Lord’s Supper. While this isn’t typically our “last” supper, it is a lasting supper and it reminds us of Jesus’s last supper and how he commemorated this important part of our worship life. Smart worship planners don’t just casually prepare for this act, but prayerfully consider how to engage their congregation in this spiritual meal.
RESOURCE: Here’s a hymn I arranged based on “I Hunger and I Thirst” by John S.B. Monsell that is a good reflection for communion.
There are five points to consider. I’m sure many more could be made (like finding redemptive themes).
Will you be going to the movie?