The thirteenth column

by Joe Noland

I‘m not positive, but I think Max Ryan, in his post Thinkaloud/Fifth Column might have been responding to the substance of mine on same subject [editor note: both articles - by Max Ryan and Joe Noland - came in about the same time and were written without reference to each other]. Granted, the use of the term Fifth Column may not have been the right one because of its original meaning, although I still think the analogy is a good one in many ways. Anyway, my contemporary allusion, comparing the TSA, has nothing to do with apostasy and everything to do with autocracy, which probably had something to do with the formation of those original Fifth Columns in the first place.

The point is that autocracy must be redefined and reassessed in our contemporary society. Booth’s strong hand was essential at the beginning, and it was in accordance with his 19th-century acculturation. It worked then, but it ain’t working now in the Western world, my friends. Like it or not, admit it or not, a contemporary column is forming in this present age. To thrive (as opposed to exist), we must understand, recognize, embrace, release and empower this new, emerging force - one to be reckoned with.

In the 1991 book Generations, William Strauss and Neil Howe call this generation the “13th Generation,” defined by counting back to the peers of Benjamin Franklin. The label was also chosen because they consider it a “Reactive” or “Nomad” generation, composed of those who were children during a spiritual awakening.

They go on to say, “Older generations generally have negative perceptions of Reactive generations - whose members tend to be pragmatic and perceptive, savvy but amoral, more focused on money than on art - and the use of 13 is also intended to associate this perception with the negative connotations of that number.”

“Reactive” and “Nomad” are telling descriptions here, suggesting that old-fashioned autocracy just doesn’t cut it anymore with substantial segments of this generation, subsequently leading to the emergence and formation of what I’m going to rephrase as “The Thirteenth Column.”

According to Wikipedia, “they are also sometimes called the ‘Trophy Generation,’ or ‘Trophy Kids,’ a term that reflects the trend in competitive sports, as well as many other aspects of life, where ‘no one loses’ and everyone gets a ‘Thanks for Participating’ trophy and symbolizing a perceived sense of entitlement. It has been reported that this is an issue in corporate environments. Some employers are concerned that ‘Thirteens’ have too-great expectations from the workplace and desire to shape their jobs to fit their lives rather than adapt their lives to the workplace. To better understand this mindset, many large firms are currently studying this conflict and are trying to devise new programs to help older employees understand [them], while at the same time making [the Thirteens] more comfortable. For example, Goldman Sachs conducts training programs that use actors to portray [this emerging column] who assertively seek more feedback, responsibility, and involvement in decision-making.”

I’ve purposely underlined and emboldened the key words and phrases here, and in so doing suggest strongly that resisting autocracy has nothing to do with apostasy. Two things are required of TSA in my opinion:

1. We must get our collective, proverbial “heads out of the sand” and “Remember the Past” whilst “Imagining the Future” (The theme of “Imagine 09″ - Tasmania, I like it!). In other words, an understanding and grasp of these modern-day conflictions, by leadership, is critical to imagining the future.
2. Study these conflicts and try to devise new programs to help older Salvationists understand this emerging column. For example, “TSA conducts training programs that use actors to portray Thirteens: nomadic, reactive, desiring a sense of entitlement, shaping their jobs to fit their lives rather than adapting their lives to the workplace, who assertively seek more feedback, responsibility, and involvement in decision-making.”

Come to think of it, I was a Thirteen before it became fashionable. If my calculations are correct, TSA is into its 7th Generation, a much more palatable number, don’t you think? For accuracy sake, let’s change the title of this post to “The Seventh Column.” It doesn’t change the content, just makes it more appetizing (Positive connotation): “7″ - The Biblical number for perfection (not autocracy). God help us!

Writer: Commissioner Joe Noland’s ministry can be summed up in three words: chaos, creativity and controversy - three elements implicit in any successful innovative endeavor. Cecil B. DeMille, renowned producer of Biblical epics, once wrote, “Creativity is a drug I cannot live without.” Joe’s mantra reads, “Creativity is my drug of choice.”  Access Joe Noland’s complete bio, among other things, by clicking into his website.

2 Comments to The thirteenth column

1. Whew! I’m glad to find out that Max wasn’t picking on me. Didn’t someone once say, “All great minds…?”
Joe Noland on June 29th, 2009

2. Thanks for writing about this generation! For if we want to reach them, we have to understand them. How sad that some people consider this “watering” down our expectations. Each new generation comes sees the world through a particular lens. Whenever I speak to my 24 year old son, I get a completely different view of the subject than what I see. He sees the world and TSA’s place in it so differently than I do. His view of TSA is consistent with his generations views on organized religion. I have to really speak carefully to him about some of these subjects, because although I feel defensive about my views, I really want to learn what his generation thinks and feels. And the more I learn about them, I think I’m beginning more sympathetic to those views.

   You’ve hit the nail on the head I think. I like your suggestions. I can’t reach them if I don’t know them. It’s not about religion, it’s about relationship.

   grace… Kathie
Kathie Chiu on June 29th, 2009

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