Generation X Papers
Generation X and Discipleship - some simple Do's and Don'ts
by Graeme Codrington
The following is simply a list of Generation X characteristics with some
comments on how this may affect the discipleship program for Generation X'ers in
your church and youth ministry, whether that be by evangelism to non-believers
or support and growth of believers. This is neither comprehensive, nor in-depth.
But there are some valuable pointers. Please note that Gen X is an attitude - it
does not describe everyone born between 1963 and 1983 (or 1990 in South Africa).
It reflects a certain sub-culture of that group, but it is a pretty pervasive
attitude.
Characteristic - Comment
Interest in spirituality - Generation X'ers have an awakened
spirituality. They are interested in spiritual topics, as exhibited by their
fascination with the supernatural (witness programs like the X-Files, and Outer
Limits). They are interested in God. BUT, they are NOT interested in church (see
also next point). Thus, if possible, an unchurched person's introduction to
Christianity should not be at a very organised, highly institutional event, but
rather through low-key social interaction with Christians, or at a cell group.
Gen X'ers are looking for an individual expression of spirituality, and are open
to trying a Christianity that appears to be accepting of different expressions,
and not rigid in its beliefs (in other words - open to discussion on issues,
rather than asking people to blindly and thoughtlessly accept what is taught to
them).
Gen X'ers can accept unsolved issues, and mysteries. Ensure that you
don't try to come across as having all the answers, or that Christianity is
watertight in every way (although I believe it is, I do not believe that any
interpretation of Scripture has the corner on the market). This, of course,
needs to be balanced with the fact that God has revealed Himself and that
Christianity is an exclusive religion. These are facts that can be introduced
with time - but don't shove it in their face the first time you meet.
Authority - No Gen X worthy of the non-name will ever just respect
someone because of their position. Thus, respect is always earned. Authority is
bogus if it is not matched by a worthy lifestyle. Do not expect them to respond
to you if your only answers are: "my pastor says so", or "The
Bible tells me so". Those authorities may be accepted in time, but a lot
more than that is needed if you don't want to be laughed out of town.
Commitment - Gen X'ers are perceived to have low commitment. This is
partly true. Because they have been so let down in life, they refuse to commit
to anything without first checking it out, and being real sure of it. They only
really commit within the context of a real relationship. To help Gen X'ers get
involved (and this applies to Christian and non-Christian Gen X'ers), make sure
that initial commitment levels are clearly defined and short-term. You're more
likely, for example, to get volunteers for your youth program if you say that
they will have to meet from this time to that time on this night of the week,
for 3 weeks a month for six months; than if you just ask them to a
"helper". The precise definition of their involvement helps them,
rather than scaring them away. This will even work for non-Christian Gen X'ers -
which is why the British-based Alpha course is doing so well; it is a structured
commitment, with a definite ending. Don't be surprised if the Gen X'er commits
himself to doing the same thing again at the end of this time (and again, and
again, for years) - but be careful to honour your agreement, and let him go at
the end if that's what he wants.
Pragmatists - Gen X'ers are the ultimate pragmatists. This can be a
bad thing, since they can lose sight of the goal, but it is a good thing, since
they emphasize the process more than the product. That is what the Christian
life is - a process. Make sure that your discipleship structure emphasizes the
process. Also make sure that in teaching a Gen X'er you ALWAYS emphasize the
"so what" aspect of what you're teaching. They love debating and
arguing, and theology and so on, but the "bottom line" is vital - so
what? what difference does it make? will it change my life? should it? These are
vital questions for Gen X'ers.
Change - Gen X'ers expect change. They like change. If you don't
change regularly, they'll leave. Quite simple, really.
Technology - These are children of technology. Use technology, use
modern methods. Make it relevant by being up-to-date. Be careful, though, of
being gimmicky and flashy, just for the sake of it. Use technology only when it
definitely enhances what you want to teach.
Relationships - Gen X'ers are committed to relationships. This may
seem strange after the way life has treated them, but they are committed to
making work what they haven't seen working in their parents and older brothers
and sister's lives. Gen X'ers will have the most abiding groups of friends, and
we should see an improvement in divorce rates (that's my prediction for the
future, and I stick by it). Thus, everything a Gen X'er is involved in must have
a relational element. Bible Study without a social time (which is not just
tagged on, but is seen as a real part of the whole program) is not going to
happen long-term. The same applies to church and youth group. Allow
"empty" times in your programs for relationships to develop. If you
are ministering TO (rather than AS) Gen X'ers, then ensure that you enter into
the relationships - don't stay aloof - especially as the leader. Unlike Boomers,
who respect the untouchable executive in the mahogany-desked office, Gen X'ers
are looking for the manager who'll get his hands dirty on the factory floor, and
have a drink with them after work.
Vulnerability of leadership - Gen X'ers are prepared to be open and
honest, but only if you go first. They are almost all hiding behind masks. To
remove those masks, you, as leader, must remove yours first. Be vulnerable. They
will respect those that make mistakes, AND admit those weaknesses and mistakes.
Truth - Truth is relative, or so they believe. The postmodern mindset
sells this to us every day - the truth is out there... truth is inside of you...
it's true for me...
A Gen X'er needs to be in a safe environment where their
truth can be tested and stretched, where they can ask tough questions without
being thought of as radical, liberal, conservative (or any of the other
Christian curse words we throw at each other).
Diversity and Unity - Which brings us to another point. Gen X'ers
embrace diversity. They love differences, but differences all united together.
Being together, but retaining an individual identity. They hate being squished
into a mould. For them, the ideal society is every one doing their own thing for
the common good. That's why you can't discern a fashion bias - long hair, short
hair, no hair - guys and girls. Loud, soft, muted colours - guys and girls.
Sexy, androgynous, masculine, feminine, unknown - guys and girls. Anything goes,
and everything does. In terms of discipleship, this works out in the fact that
Gen X'ers don't understand why we have so many different denominations, and why
we can't get along (their pragmatic approach and view of truth add to this).
They can't see why the different opinions on interpretation (for that is what
they are - opinions and interpretations) can't all live alongside one another.
Thus, give an X'er the options, and leave it open-ended for him to decide. Help
him set the boundaries (which are always a lot broader than we like to think)
and then set him free to make his own theological choices. Create groups of
diverse interests and activities and perspectives.
Emotional Pain - Gen X'ers have a lot of pain to deal with, mainly
stemming from broken homes and failed relationships, and a bleak future. Present
Jesus, the Healer and the Friend. He is the Gen X model. Be sensitive yourself
and really care.
Change the world - not! - Gen X'ers say "We can change the world
- but only a little piece of it". Unlike Boomers, who thought they could
control the universe (like Spielberg's ET), Gen X'ers live in a world out of
control, and they know if they start to mess with it, they're going to get hurt
(like Spielberg's Lost World, or a million other 1996 and 1997 movies: Starship
Troopers, Event Horizon, etc, etc). They don't try to change the world, and
can't relate to "big" emotions, like Greenpeace or Ban the Bomb, and
so on (that's why I predict that these organisations are going to go through
lean times soon - with the next Millenial generation picking up in about 15
years, when they get jobs). Thus, we should present locally-based, community,
"small" projects as service projects. Working in a children's home,
visiting a hospital, that sort of thing - something that's small, real,
tangible, with short-term results and immediate effect.
Narrative/Stories - Tell stories and let them tell theirs. Use
narrative evangelism techniques, and parables to get the message of the Gospel
across. By this, I mean look into their world and find some parallels to the
Gospel message. Use these to explain concepts like faith, grace, forgiveness,
sin, etc. Create a shared language.
Be real - This is sort of a repeat - but it's important. Be real. Be
vulnerable. Share yourself and don't hold back. If you don't know - say so. If
you're unsure - say so. If you're scared, upset, angry, excited - say so. Be
real.
Be rousing - Make it fun, make it exciting. Never boring. Engage
their attention, and keep it. This is often done by rapid-fire changes in
attention and program, with little bits of pieces of information and program and
activity all adding together to make one point. At a youth night, the games,
devotion, prayers, readings, stories, announcements, activities, songs,
background music, visuals, and everything else should all carry one theme and
one message.
Be relevant - Remember: they want to know "why?" and
"how?" and "what for?".
Be relational - If you do nothing else, be a friend. And don't be a
friend for the purpose of evangelism. Be a friend for the sake of being a
friend. Let Jesus shine through, don't beat them over the head with Him.
I hope that these few, simple, quick points will spark some thoughts. I hope
to take each of these points and expand them fully into guidelines for
Generation X. For now, just surf this site and you'll find a stack of
information you can use.
Other sites of possible interest at this
domain:
Youth
Talks
Evangelism Techniques
Book recommendations:
Click on these titles to purchase them from Amazon.com
Jesus for a New Generation - by Kevin Ford
Our Price: $10.39
(List: $12.99)
Availability: This item usually ships within 2-3 days.
Paperback, 259 pages, Intervarsity Press
Publication date: November 1,
1995
ISBN: 0830816151
Inside the Soul of a New Generation : Insight and Strategies for
Reaching Busters - by Tim Celek, Dieter Zander, Patrick Kampert
Our
Price: $7.99 (List $9.99)
Availability: This item usually ships
within 2-3 days.
Paperback, Zondervan
Publication date: May 1996
ISBN: 0310205948
13th Gen : Abort, Retry, Ignore, Fail? - by Neil Howe, Bill
Strauss
Our Price: $9.60 (List: $12.00)
Availability: This item
usually ships within 2-3 days.
Paperback, 229 pages, Vintage Books
Publication date: March 1, 1993
ISBN: 0679743650
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