Spirituality and commitment are at the heart of the commitment level model of youth ministry. How do Xers relate to spirituality and commitment, and how effective is the model in ministry among Xers?
1. Generation Xers and Spirituality
There is great interest in spirituality among Xers, yet it is not focussed and it is full of questions. These feelings toward God and religion are most often interpreted as being the result of a post-Christian culture in which youth lack even the memory of a hope-giving gospel to help them face the challenges. They realize that there is something spiritual existing in the world but are cautious about the subject of
Christianity. Xers exhibit values that are more aligned with the teachings of Scripture than other generations: including importance of relationships, emphasis on family and community, authenticity and servanthood. Through various studies on Xers the following characteristics are discovered:
A. Xers are Open to Spirituality
Xers are looking for transcendent meaning, and in this sense, they are a spiritual generation. Again, with their postmodern mindset, they don't believe that science alone- the empirical method-can solve our problems. They believe that something is wrong with the world, and that there must be something beyond what they can see, feel, touch, taste, and smell. This makes them as open to Christian revival as is any generation, but it also opens them to cult activity. Many toy with various forms of New Age and Eastern religion, including the pantheistic idea of connecting with God through nature. The following characteristics make Xers open to spirituality (quotes from Kevin Ford's Jesus for a New Generation):
(1) Their interest in the supernatural- "The spirituality of my generation is transrational, yet it is concrete in its expression...Xers tend to believe in transcendent realities, but they also like to pour their energies and their bodies into a 'spiritual experience' of the here and now." Xers would tend to believe in the supernatural realm a lot more than the previous, scientific influenced generation. In fact, "we find ourselves back in the days of the first century church, when superstition and mythology were on an equal plane with science."
(2) Their interest in death - "My generation thinks about death a lot...we curiously explore Satan worship. We read books like 'Final Exit'. We play real-life versions of Dungeons and Dragons to the death. We like dark comedies."
(3) Their search for reality - "We need to offer my generation a faith that works in the conflicts, pressures and pain of their everyday life. Xers need the tools to help them deal with their families and friends." Xers get involved in the occult for the reality that they find. They may perceive the power offered in the occult as an attractive way in which they can control their world.
B. Xers are Searching for Spirituality
Far from being passively interested in spirituality, Xers are "looking for transcendent meaning in their world. This makes them open to Christianity as well as to cult activity" (Dieter Zander, The Gospel for Generation X, Leadership, Spring 1995). One of my youth ministry students wrote: "I believe there is not a better time to spread the gospel then now when youth are focussing on relationships and are deeply intrigued with the supernatural and spiritual dimensions!" Marijke ten Krooden, Cape Town South Africa.
C. Xers are Open to God, not the Church
In a recent Group magazine survey, Xers noted their dislike of the church stems from their distaste for hypocrites, limited thinking, conformity, lack of realism, and cliques. The survey captured some revealing comments: "I know there is a God, but I don't feel I belong in church. The idea is very good, but the church is too political. The actual outcome in today's society isn't practical. Sometimes people worship the form of a religion--this is not God!" Chris Seay says that Xers are "open to the God thing, but not really interested in the church thing" (from Pastor X, Christianity Today, 11 November 1996). Finding spiritual fulfilment is more important to Xers then being involved with the church. This is due in part to the lack of authenticity in faith that many churches and their leaders have portrayed over the years.
D. Xers View Spiritual Leaders with Suspicion
The references to Christianity that they do have consist of the stories of fallen leaders such as Jim Bakker and Jimmy Swaggart. Both of these men represented the Church and Christianity in the 1980's when those in the Generation X age group were in their early formative years. As a result of their 'fall' from Christian integrity, as well as other factors, Generation X view authority figures within the church and
other institutions with contempt and Christianity is all but ignored in the spiritual quest (Dan King in Ministering To Generation X: A Study On Effective Youth Ministry In The 90's).
E. Xers Experience Spirituality Individually
The following email was written by an Xer on the Religion and Generations email forum: "If you were to ask most people in our generation about religion, I would guess that many would cite 'disillusionment' with institutions, but probably few could name specific personal incidents that let them down. I think that the problem is just disillusionment in general. Perhaps the solution to finding spirituality in the midst of such built-in cynicism is something that appeals to independent thinkers.
Personally, I have discovered that I get the most spiritual satisfaction out of 'alone' moments: hiking, being outdoors, or quiet meditation alone or in a group. I rarely feel enlightened sitting in a large group, listening to someone else theorize (like in church) or discussing my beliefs with others (like in a school setting). I learn more when I think my own way through things. KJS."
F. They Have High Expectation of Groups
Xers are looking for five main characteristics in faith groups: (1) authenticity - since they have been burned by so many broken promises, they want to know the bottom line and they prefer honesty over politeness; (2) community - they are looking for the family unlike the broken, dysfunctional ones in which they were raised; (3) a lack of dogmatism - experience is more important than dogma; (4) a focus on the arts - where faith can be shared and expressed through various art forms; and (5) diversity - racial, economic and ethnic diversity authenticates Christianity's claim of loving ones neighbour (Reaching the First Post-Christian Generation, Christianity Today, September 12, 1994).
2. Generation Xers and Commitment
Commitment is essential to genuine spirituality: "The only things that will maintain genuine spiritual fervour are purpose, commitment and a sense of belonging...Feelings don't last forever, but if we introduce teens to commitment, they can take that wherever they go" (Ron Luce, How We Can Reach
Generation X, Charisma, September 1994). Many writers suggest that Xers are hesitant when it comes to commitment.
A. Understanding Xers Avoidance of Commitment
Different factors have converged to leave Xers reluctant to commit:
(1) Their experience of family - The pain of divorce has made them gun-shy when it comes to commitment. Most Xers come from divorced or nontraditional families. They can't relate to a notion of family commitment, because they have never seen it in action. Most grew up in dual income homes, meaning that neither parent was very accessible. They learnt self-reliance and self-fulfilment from an early age as they learnt to fend for themselves. They developed a "look out for yourself and keep options open" outlook to life - where you do not rely on others for help.
(2) Their experience of betrayal - Xers must deal with the realization that things in which they placed their hope and trust: the church, government, technology, and relationships, have all failed to deliver on their promises leaving them with nothing. The baby boomer dream has been shattered and they are left with a deeply rooted skepticism which is difficult, if not impossible, to completely remove. Relationships are carried out on a casual basis with little or no emphasis on commitment. The result being that Xers suffer from an overwhelming sense of loneliness.
(3) Their exploration of options - Xers also avoid commitment because they are keeping their options open. They are ever in search of greener pastures, so must postpone commitments in order to continue to evaluate available options.
B. Helping Xers with Commitment
The youth group must do the following to help Xers commit:
(1) Give them a context for developing relationships - Xers have separated themselves from any meaningful interaction with others for fear of sacrificing too much of their perceived independence. If they encounter a place where genuine and meaningful relationships can be found they will respond
positively. Youth groups and churches can provide such an environment.
(2) Give them time to make a commitment - they need time to build trust that will help them make a commitment. Xers must be allowed to experience the church for a long period of time before a commitment will be made. Some churches offer seeker services where the message they communicate
with Xers is that they should take Christianity for a test drive. They provide a safe place where seekers can investigate Christianity and give church another try. They are saying to Xers: "we won't confront you, ask you to make an immediate commitment - just come to the services, get involved and see how it feels." In most churches people are expected to become full members and to make a big time
commitment right from the first visit.
(3) Give them a cause that they can connect with - Xers will commit to a cause that they identify with. They are the product, in part, of a certain cultural complacency, which is evidenced by their commitment to social causes. Service opportunities will appeal to them.
3. Generation Xers and the Model
The following are strengths of the commitment level model for reaching Xers:
A. The Model Focuses on Process Evangelism
The most effective evangelism with Xers is process evangelism. According to Kevin Ford, we can no longer use a Pauline model of evangelism that is based on the individual but must recognize that in the postmodern world, "the focus is on moving into community." "Process evangelism is something that happens over a long period of time ...over years perhaps of frustration, pain, and praying for someone." "It is not an 'evangelistic project' to see them come to know Christ." The commitment level model of ministry allows time for people to find Christ. The four week Rave programming strategy is designed to slowly give people exposure to the gospel of Christ.
B. The Model Meets Xers on their Turf
For Xers who are so disillusioned with the church that they will never darken its doors, the model is effective as there is an emphasis on going to where they are - on incarnational ministry on their turf. This emphasis is an ongoing part of the model and not an occasional visitation into their world.
C. The Model Includes Practical Service
Xers need ministry that goes beyond the intellectual to a hands-on demonstration of the Gospel - they are a generation that wants to connect to society and see that the Gospel is practical and makes a difference in people's every day lives. Kevin Ford say: "Quit the evangelistic beach trips and build houses." Often, it is community service that results in evangelism. The commitment level model includes service orientated activities as part of the whole process of ministry. When Xers are exposed to these activities they will gain a deep sense of significance and see an "embodied apologetic" that will impact them for Christ.
D. The Model Involves Team Leadership
The leadership paradigm for Xers is a team, not a hierarchy or superstar - it is a collaborative generation with no superstars. Tim Celek, an Xer Pastor, said: "if we are really a team, no one person is more important...and the relational glue that holds a team together is total trust. Spending time together and being transparent with one another, that is what builds trust." The commitment level model of youth
ministry is not centered around a superstar youth leader as it requires a team approach to really make it work!
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