My Weirdest Post Ever…and a Request

January 3, 2011 in Story-Driven Visual Media with 9 Comments

Okay…I know this is weird.  But I have to get your help on this.  I want you to watch a music video and then tell me what you think about my idea.

First, here’s the idea.  As I’ve now mentioned many times, Tim Steven’s great post about the widening 60% that will never be reached by a church always has me thinking.  Always.  On a technicality, I arrived at this conviction independently and have been wrestling with this for several years.  In fact, it’s the basis for my article on exponential outreach.

If it’s true…and I believe it is…how will we reach them?  How will we reach the 60% that will never come to church?  I have an idea.  Here’s my idea: What if we could help the crowd, who are more connected to the community than they are to the congregation, learn to simply launch a conversation?

Now for the weird part: I want you to watch a Nickelback video.  That’s right.  Nickelback.  I want you to watch their Savin’ Me video and imagine watching it with your non-Christian friends.  Listen to the lyrics.  Watch the images.  Seriously.  I want you to watch it and then let me know what you think.

But before you watch it, keep a few things in mind.  To the best of my knowledge, Chad Kroeger, songwriter and lead singer of Nickelback, is not a Christ follower.  Equally, Nigel Dick, the award winning director of the video is not known to be a Christ follower.  Nickelback is not a Christian band.  At the same time, Nickelback sells out stadiums and goes platinum quickly.  All that said, I want you to watch for some things while you’re watching:

  • What does the tattooed image (name and 2003) mean at about the 1:00 mark?  (That’s Mike Kroeger, Nickelback’s bass guitarist).
  • What are some things from which we all need saving?
  • What do you think is meant by the dual countdown clock at 3:12?  Isn’t it interesting that an unborn baby would have a countdown clock in a rock video?
  • What do you think about the way the main character goes right back to “business as usual” right after saving the girl?
  • What do you think about the idea that everyone has a countdown clock?
  • What do you think happens when the clock runs down?

Remember, imagine watching the video with friends.  Here’s the link: Savin’ Me (It will open in a new window).

Lyrics:

Prison gates won’t open up for me
On these hands and knees I’m crawlin’
Oh, I reach for you

Well I’m terrified of these four walls
These iron bars can’t hold my soul in
All I need is you

Come please I’m callin’
And oh I scream for you
Hurry I’m fallin’, I’m fallin’

Show me what it’s like
To be the last one standing
And teach me wrong from right
And I’ll show you what I can be

And say it for me, say it to me
And I’ll leave this life behind me
Say it if it’s worth saving me

Heaven’s gates won’t open up for me
With these broken wings I’m fallin’
And all I see is you

These city walls ain’t got no love for me
I’m on the ledge of the eighteenth story
And oh I scream for you

Come please I’m callin’
And all I need from you
Hurry I’m fallin’, I’m fallin’

Show me what it’s like
To be the last one standing
And teach me wrong from right
And I’ll show you what I can be

And say it for me, say it to me
And I’ll leave this life behind me
Say it if it’s worth saving me
Hurry I’m fallin’

And all I need is you
Come please I’m callin’
And oh I scream for you
Hurry I’m fallin’, I’m fallin’

Show me what it’s like
To be the last one standing
And teach me wrong from right
And I’ll show you what I can be

And say it for me, say it to me
And I’ll leave this life behind me
Say it if it’s worth saving me
Hurry I’m fallin’

And say it for me, say it to me
And I’ll leave this life behind me
Say it if it’s worth saving me

Thoughts? I’d love to know what you think about this video and it’s use as a discussion starter.  Wouldn’t it be cool to have a short interview with the songwriter or video director to hear their take on the meaning behind the lyrics and the images?

You can leave a comment by clicking here.

  • Danny W Bennett

    It’s a great song and proves that point that even secular bands get it. Our days are numbered and everyone wants to be “saved” but not everyone knows the true way to salvation. Nickelback has another great song entitled: “If Everyone Cared” there is a lot of truth behind that song as well. As far as the tattoo on Mike’s arm, it is his daughter’s name and the date she was born “Avalon 2003.” On his right forearm he has his son’s name and date he was born “Dawson 2001.”

  • Megan

    Incredible! I would also love to hear suggestions on how to use this as a tool to reach the unreached!

  • Mark Howell

    Thanks Danny! Yes! I feel the same way about “If Everyone Cared.” Amazing stuff. Very provocative discussion starter. Thanks for the info on the tattoo!

    mark

  • Mark Howell

    Thanks for jumping in Megan! Stay tuned as I develop this idea in 2011.

    mark

  • http://www.gordonmarcy.com Gordon Marcy

    Had to watch it several times to catch the intricate imagery. That’s a good thing. Very well done. There’s plenty of popular music that leaves you crying for “less.” Not so here.

    I thought it was great that they gave the unborn child equal value with all life. Could see the theme of the video leading into a discussion of Hebrews 9:27-28.

    I have a question. Why do you feel this is your weirdest post ever? This is exactly the type of idea we need for establishing relationships and having conversations with new generations, in the media language of the times.

    Want an even weirder idea? Imagine having a community-based Internet broadcast network, on which your project could air live? Now that would be doubly cool.

  • Mark Howell

    Thanks for jumping in Gordon! Like your thinking and appreciate the affirmation. Hmmm…interesting idea about streaming it live. I am thinking it may be available for download (ala the Converge resources). But to make it available for online interaction…

    mark

  • http://www.gordonmarcy.com Gordon Marcy

    Live webcasting would include interaction with the widest possible audience. Of course, any program can be archived for download, sharing, and further online participation.

  • Randy

    We used this video in conjunction with a sermon series a little over a year ago. Went over very well. Just more proof that God uses all music to influence and inspire. Love a church that takes risks for the sake of the Gospel.

  • Mark Howell

    Fantastic! I heard about it first from my friends at The Chapel in Libertyville, IL. They designed a weekend message series around it. Very cool and shrewd to re-purpose the media paid for by the band itself!

    mark

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