TX-NM Network Gathering: August 13–15, 2015 Generation X Bill Young MCC Austin Last updated: July 22, 2015 at 10:37 Bill Young: 1 Generations Theory: Generation X
Generation X (b. 1961–1981) Generation born after the post-WWII baby boom. Around 84 million GenXers (actually bigger than Baby Boom generation). How can that be? Also called “Baby Busters” and 13ers (by Strauss and Howe, because they are the 13th generation in American history). “Generation X” popularized in Douglas Coupland’s 1991 novel, Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture . Bill Young: 2 Generations Theory: Generation X
Gen X: The Perception “A lost generation, an army of aging Bart Simpsons, possibly armed and dangerous” violent: 8% of urban 7–12th graders miss at least one day of school a week because they’re afraid to go (2010) poor: one in four Gen X lived in poverty as children suicidal: Through 80’s, roughly 5000 children under 18 committed suicide each year, the largest percentage ever recorded. survivors: more interested in getting by than in values and concepts Bill Young: 3 Generations Theory: Generation X
Gen X: Things are Tough All Over A Gen X child in the 1980’s faced twice the risk of parental divorce as a Boomer child in the 1960’s Proposition 13 and other tax revolts ended large expenditures on public education Public policy shifted fiscal burden from the old to the young Since 1972, older generations have deferred $2 trillion in current consumption through Federal debt In 1990, a Gen X couple paid 5 times as much tax as a retired GI couple with similar income “Their elders don’t yet see it. But this street-wise generation does indeed bring a bag of savvy tricks their elders lack—skills that may come in handy the next time America gets into real trouble.” –Strauss and Howe Bill Young: 4 Generations Theory: Generation X
Gen X: The Reality A 2011 study “The Generation X Report” found GenXers to be: highly educated active balanced happy family oriented Contrasts with the disenfranchised, slacker stereotype. Some believe that the differences between GenX and predecessors have been over-hyped. In 2012, Gen X volunteer rates were 29.4%, the highest of any generation. Bill Young: 5 Generations Theory: Generation X
Gen X Characteristics “A generation whose worldview is based on change, on the need to combat corruption, dictatorships, abuse, AIDS, a generation in search of human dignity and individual freedom, the need for stability, love, tolerance, and human rights for all.” –Christine Henseler, Generation X Goes Global: Mapping a Youth Culture in Motion, 2012. Compared with previous generations, Gen X is: more heterogeneous embraces social diversity in race, class, ability, religion, culture, gender identity, and sexual orientation formed in turbulent times and want things to work again Bill Young: 6 Generations Theory: Generation X
Economics Gen X may be the first generation to do worse economically than their parents. One study (May, 2007) found that Gen X men earned less (by 12%) than their fathers did at the same age in 1974. Annual increases in household incomes generated by fathers/sons slowed (from 0.9% to 0.3%), barely keeping pace with inflation. “Family incomes have risen though because more women have gone to work.” Bill Young: 7 Generations Theory: Generation X
Using Generations Theory Recall that Gen X is a Reactive / Nomad generation. Typically have far fewer social restrictions than their parents at the same age. Tend to be independent minded, progressive in youth, become well educated. Distrust institutions, but would like them to work. Seen as a “bad generation” trying to follow previous generation into revolution, but fail as society unravels. What does that say about the interaction of Gen Xers and the church? How can you reach them? Bill Young: 8 Generations Theory: Generation X
Gen X and the Church Xers are tired of the culture wars and looking to rebuild the machinery of society. Xers are not constitutionally anti-institutional Will trust a congregation if it “works,” i.e., does what it says it’s going to do and tells the truth Looking for community, not church, in which to practice spiritual disciplines Xers believe that institutions exist to serve individuals, not the other way around. Churches exist to foster the individual’s relationship with God. Anything that doesn’t do that must go! What does that say about reaching Xers? Bill Young: 9 Generations Theory: Generation X
Gen X and the Church To attract Gen X, the church must tell the truth and do what says it will do. Don’t whitewash challenges and problems. Speak truth to power. Faithfully live your mission statement. Model sacrifice: give to mission off the top, or don’t ask members to do that. Many Gen Xers consider themselves “spiritual, but not religious.” Bill Young: 10 Generations Theory: Generation X
Gen X and Giving Like Boomers, Gen Xers are not motivated to meet the church’s need to recieve. They don’t give to meet a budget. They don’t give to keep the lights on. They do give as an expression of personal faith. They do give in support of a worthwhile mission being realized. Bill Young: 11 Generations Theory: Generation X
Emergent Church Movement Many Xers are drawn to “postmodern churches” and the “emerging church movement.” The movement favors the sharing of experiences via testimonies, prayer, group recitation, sharing meals and other communal practices. Tend to view the Bible and its stories through a lens which they believe finds significance and meaning for their community’s social and personal stories rather than for the purpose of finding cross-cultural, propositional absolutes regarding salvation and conduct. –from Wikipedia article on Emerging Church Some of these churches are very fundamentalist. Mother Jones called them “fundamentalism’s answer to MTV.” Why do you think this might appeal to Xers? Bill Young: 12 Generations Theory: Generation X
Exercise Gather again into groups at your table. Within your group answer attempt to compose a stewardship letter aimed at the Gen Xers of your congregation. 1 What sorts of things are likely to motivate these givers? 2 What don’t they want to hear? 3 How does this letter differ than those you wrote for the older generations? 4 Suppose they found out that you are crafting a letter specifically for them. Do you think they’d feel that this is manipulative? Bill Young: 13 Generations Theory: Generation X
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