10.23Subject to a better offer
Generation Y are the STABO Generation. STABO = Subject To A Better Offer. What does this mean? It means that Gen Y are only willing to commit to something providing they can’t find anything better to do. This means Gen Y suck at RSVPing to parties; they’re slow at registering for events (unless it’s an event that will sell out early); and employers find it difficult to hold onto young workers.
How do you minister to STABO Christians? The way it’s normally done is their discipleship is called into question, and they are told to grow up and get on board with the program. This is dumb. I think a better way to minister to STABO’s is to show them the best offer!! And then, in time, they will understand more of what it means to grow up and be counter-cultural in this area. Rather than twisting someone’s arm to convince them to go to a prayer night, show them why prayer matters and how there is no better place to be on that night than to be praying with Jesus’ people.
If you’re not a Christian and you’re reading this… no matter what the world offers you… there is no better offer than what Jesus offers in his death and resurrection.
hey Dave
I reckon ’stabo’ is in part because they live in a world where everything shifts so quickly so they are reluctant to committ to the transient. Yet there are some foundational things that are so real that once they find them they’ll give everything to it. Like relationships, identties and communities… that which is visceral….
its why I think we can confidently keep speaking of a relationship that is championed through blood and death. not only is it true, it works. (like prayer).
October 23rd, 2008 at 12:09 pm
i like your point about being reluctant to commit to the transient. thanks – it’s helpful in clarifying some thinking.
October 23rd, 2008 at 12:26 pm
looking forward for more information about this. thanks for sharing. Eugene
October 23rd, 2008 at 7:08 pm
Good post, mate. It’s fantastic when people try to get around the problem rather than just shaking their heads in disappointment at Gen Y.
I guess my frustration is that it’s ongoing. You don’t just have to convince them once, you need to keep showing them that it’s a better offer, whereas perhaps an older generation only needed to be convinced of the importance of church/ministry/evangelism/godliness and then was more likely to become part of a habit.
‘Habit’ is a word that’s dropped out of use a bit, don’t you think?
October 23rd, 2008 at 8:10 pm
rather than just shaking their heads in disappointment at Gen Y.
that’s part of what i’m trying to think through.
i think you’re right with the habits thing.
i think habits are an important part of discipleship… and you do want gen y Christians to see the habits that are the fruit of godliness.
doug fields and the PDYM (purpose driven youth ministry) crew have an acronym HABITS that is part of their discipleship program. basically it’s 6 habits of what a godly Christian looks like.
October 23rd, 2008 at 8:20 pm
so what does HABITS stand for?
I agree with Ben – better to think through the issue and address it rather than just put the boot into an entire generation…
October 24th, 2008 at 7:56 am
I like your thinking Dave.
HABITS – Humans Always Behaving In Their Selfishness
October 25th, 2008 at 12:07 am
[...] Y. I know how you roll. For better or worse you’re into the whole subject-to-a-better-offer thing. You can wait until 625pm this arvo to see if there are any better offers, there probably [...]
December 4th, 2009 at 9:12 am