Re: Viral Video about Millennials in the Workplace

Re: Viral Video about Millennials in the Workplace

In case you happen to read this, thanks for your patience. This semester was a doozy and I had to step back from pretty much anything not work or school. In the same way one might hypothetically see how many drinks they can handle in order to know “how much is too much” this is how I would describe my course load. This was too much, I didn’t puke, but I know my limit now. Knowing is half the battle, right?

So there is this 15 minute clip floating around that has some interesting insights into the dreaded “Millennials.” I’m not familiar with Mr. Sinek, but he has some good insights and descriptions about this odd group of people. His web pages indicate he’s a pretty smart guy and the video only adds to his intellectual repertoire. In case you haven’t seen the video or you haven’t yet decided to watch it, the skinny is this: he diagnoses the problems employers/corporate America is having with the millennial generation. This is not a particularly new topic, from politicians, business leaders, and missiologists, apparently this generation is a difficult one to pin. In the opening he nails it, millennials want purpose in their work.

I am not one to really counter that, my current path in life is in the pursuit to have the most fulfilling career that suits my passions. In some way, the reason I am doing what I am doing is because I could do no other career path. This is in contrast to the vision that our grandparents generation has been stereotyped to have, in which the goal from a job is to have one, then to get by. This is particularly true of the working class vision of Americana. To offer a movie clip which I would describe this view is from the film Rudy, at the bus stop. His father tries to talk him out of his dream to go to Notre Dame. Yes, I know the true story about Mr. Ruettiger is not as pure, but that’s why movies are “based” on true story. Anyways, the past generations used to be satisfied with a good job that paid on time and afforded one to provide for the needs of their family. Today, my peers, who also are having fewer children and getting married later, want their job for more than a paycheck, they want a purpose from it.

Sinek points this out very well but his remedy I have to disagree. In order for his approach to occur the structure of corporate America must change entirely to meet the needs of this generation who “by no fault of their own” were apparent victims of poor parenting. The poor parenting strategy was summed up as: Parents who did not allow their children to fail, but ensured their success was not through their efforts but from their intervention, this has been termed Helicopter parenting. By this point, the term Millennial is much less than those born in 1984 to 1995. His implicit description are those of middle to upper class with a probable two parent household who are college graduates. Not to take away from his message, but I think we need to be careful when grouping people by generic factors like age, it is overly broad. Sinek thinks it is the responsibility of employers to meet the needs of this generation, this calls for a complete overhaul in the purpose of business at large.

I recognize there are some companies who were founded based on something other than money, there are very few large businesses which find this model sustainable. For a test, see how many annual meetings highlight the immaterial purposes of the company above the bottom line. How many investors are more concerned with the accomplishments of the company than the return? This is that brutal reality check that Millennials are being confronted and lack means to cope. I think it is a mistake to look to one’s career for its primary meaning. That is not to say one should not seek to be fulfilled in their career path, but there should be something else that defines who one is beyond their business card. The ancients would call this virtue. I’ll try to describe this in secular terms.

Virtue is formed by our community. Hopefully and primarily by one's family, but those without the blessing of a mostly stable two-parent household are not permanently disadvantaged. Community consists of those in close proximity and influence. If family does not teach virtue, then hopefully it would be through church, volunteer work, intramural, or some other extracurricular voluntary gathering. My bias thinks church is the best format because all the other gatherings are based on an activity over a shared belief, whereas people can similarly enjoy baseball but have very different views on morality, but if people attend a local church together, they are much more likely to have similar views on morality. Dennis Prager, an author and radio show how, frequently challenges that with the decline of religious belief, there is an inevitable decline in public virtue. He further argues that no other organization teaches values better than religious institutions. I will be more charitable and hope there are institutions with virtuous people who overflow on the people they impact with their virtue, regardless of the purpose of the institution. Virtue ultimately comes from one person and is passed to the next. It is no doubt the best transference of this virtue is by watching another more experienced person pass it down from one to another. The interpersonal aspect of virtue is essential lest the virtues be limited to abstract ideals not grounded in reality.

If nothing else I’ve picked up from the election cycle this year talking to people, I have recognized how much Millennials long for heaven. They long for their image of perfection, this is why they can make castigating claims against others’ nation, race, gender, career, ect. because the standard is not history, but their ideal. It gets worse when Millennials, or the next power group fails to see the mistakes of past idealists imprint from history. We must insist, that when “they” did it, they just didn’t do the right way, but when “we” do it, everyone will be happy and full. One cannot create a new society from scratch, they must acknowledge the previous generations not with their idea of righteous indignation, but with an understanding of reasonableness. I see these longings as the groaning of the effects from sin, the only problem is the idea of sin is not compatible with the vision of many Millennials. If we are to address a problem, the first step is recognizing it exists.

Something Beautiful

I am a people watcher. I first started to realize this in highschool. I recognized my lack of desire to date based on my observations of my peers. In the Army, I actively sought to be the designated driver whenever possible so that I could try to belong. There was also an opportunity to observe people in their “natural habitat” if you will. It sounds better if you read that part with a Steve Irwin accent. This might also explain why I went into the branch of the Army. It was my job to study people, to predict their actions and reactions. I have long recognized I see things differently from the majority of those around me, it is through watching people that I might gain a better understanding. This could even be said why I was intrigued to be a bouncer. There might also be a desire to protect, the applications of watching people: lifeguard, soldier, and security. There appears to be a consistent theme.

Being watchful of one’s surroundings is also part of the impetus to blog. In order to try to have something that might be worth reading, one must be attentive to the world looking for opportunities to share. Such constant watching is a different kind, instead of maintaining situational awareness for a potential threat, I must also be aware of the beauty God might present in a given day. This ranges from sunsets, clear skies, or those precious moments with a child or something fluffy.

This brings me to something I saw at church a few weeks ago that was absolutely precious. While ushering, I am constantly facing the opposite direction from the congregation. There was a new father holding his newborn daughter. He was absolutely transfixed on her in a way I cannot remember that I have seen. We acknowledged each other and I returned a smile and he quickly went back to staring at his daughter. The intention, joy, emotions everywhere were overflowing. It was a joy to get to witness something so beautiful.

There was no need for him to justify anything. I am certain he was more focused on her than he was of what was happening on stage during those moments. From the fully extended smile to the piercing gaze, there was nothing more important in that room to him. Granted other than myself and those standing around him, I don’t think anyone else witnessed this public display. Was I intruding on the moment? I hope not.

Aside from sharing that moment that left me impressed, being reminded to lookout for the beautiful things, I was also reminded of the need to celebrate joy with others, especially the joys they have that I might not have. This goes back to a discussion with one of the couples in my grace group. They were hanging out early and we were having a good discussion. I can’t remember if they were newlyweds, by definition, but she was still in that mode. He wanted to refrain in my presence. He was single well into his 30’s and did not want to flaunt the affection he was finally able to share with his wife. I appreciated the consideration but encouraged them to enjoy the fruits of their relationship. Christians should celebrate with others the gifts God has  given. I think this is especially true for those of us without, to celebrate those who have.

Sure, I have my moments, but hopefully those moments should occupy less mental energy and time than a Carl’s Jr. commercial. I am starting to stare down 32 in the coming months. I am well past the average age of marriage for any American demographic, yet, there is still peace. God has demonstrated his plan throughout my life numerous ways for years. Just in case my faith was weak, I have a long personal history to reflect upon.

The Christian faith is not built upon an external sense of injustice or inequality. The only inequality that should matter to us is how could a Good God send his perfect Son to die for us? There is no greater challenge to inequality beyond that and all other forms of inequality pale in comparison to Christ’s sacrifice. Christians do not live in some kind of envious economic plan that requires all to be equal in order for there to be goodness. We are bathed in grace, undeserved favor from God, each day. Every breath, delectable bite, stunning sunset, and joy is the result of God’s grace. I just needed to remind myself.

This is a Hard Teaching - 1 Timothy 2:9-14

Needless to say after returning home, my blogging has been greatly diminished. This is mostly due to being back in community and much of the thoughts that roll around have been able to be discussed. Then again, while basking in perhaps one of the most enjoyable Sundays I've had in many years, this thought hit me and I wanted to see if I can grapple with it.

1 Timothy 2:9-14 probably ranks up there at the top of many people's minds when it comes to difficult passages to understand and even more apply. I think Peter said it well in 2 Peter 3:14-16, with "there are some things hard to understand" being ever so clear. The response to this passage usually varies somewhere between justified chauvinism and ignoring the passage altogether. Perhaps the unique factor about this difficult passage isn't so much its clarity but just the opposite. Plainly read it has some serious guidelines that are difficult to apply and to justify; both to the non-Christians who view God's Word as a sexist book which seeks to subjugate women; and to those earnestly seeking to follow God's Word but are at a bit of a loss on this passage's application.

This commentary tends to focus on the cultural aspect and focus on the physical adornment and exclusion occurring in the church than this as an impendent issue. The problem with this is it doesn't address if the practice of flaunting wealth and style are still applicable things to avoid in orderly worship, worse still it often tends to resign this passage to being cultural and thus outdated and we can justifiably ignore it. The primary problem with this as with other difficult passages is the inevitable slippery slope we establish within Scripture while fully ignoring clear teachings to satisfy our own wills or misunderstanding. Or as Peter through the Holy Spirit says, "ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction." If we believe the Bible is God's Word and that God is perfect without error, then we must deduce the Bible is God's inerrant Word. This also happens to be a primary doctrine for you two other doctrine nerds who might read this.

On to the meat, within the context the most biting part I would think is verse 12, "I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet." While there is plenty of meat to deal with verse 11, for the sake of brevity (like I am good at that anyways...) I would rather refer to Ephesians 5:22-33 which it explicitly describes the relationship a husband and wife ought to have. A piece I have heard and fully agree with about the Ephesians passage, if a husband loves his wife as Christ loved the Church, why wouldn't she want to submit to him? Enough said.

I suppose the difficulty I have by attempting to tackle this passage is much in the practice (or lack of practice) of church discipline. The best way I could describe church discipline is the maintenance and accountability of our own. Paul speaks of this most clearly throughout 1 Corinthians (5:9-13, 6:1-8, 11:27-32). Peter also explains the concept in 1 Peter 2:13 - 3:22. In Church we ought to submit ourselves to one another, everyone ought to be submissive to someone; many of us are submissive to the pastor/elders, deacons, older men and women, and so on. There are checks in balances in the Church as well. We call him Jesus. Once we grasp the idea of submission to one another, the judgment we are to cast upon one another as a Shepherd protects his flock; in love, and the purity of Christ's Church the passage in Timothy doesn't irk as much.

It is important to remember one of the primary duties of pastors/elders in scripture is to practice authority (Shepherd in fluffier terms) over the members of the church. I might be isogeting my youth ministry experience on this, but when Paul restricts women from practicing authority over men is it really that outlandish? Consider this; within the family are mothers not the most appropriate to deal with certain issues of their daughters and likewise fathers with their sons? Likewise I directly consider this in light of my work with the high schoolers. If there is an issue with a girl, I would not attempt to address the issue at large. Women handle women's issues and men handle men's issues. I think many of us would find it odd if women sought to offer guidance on being a man when men are present to give such guidance. This is in no way saying mothers cannot teach their sons as some naysayers would attempt to imply. Children are to submit to their parents, and likewise parents are to practice authority over their children.

Whether you want to get into the issue if women can teach men, I think that is a less clear issue. The most profound example I would point to in scripture is the instruction Priscilla and Aquila gave to Apollos in Acts 18 Priscilla and Aquila are addressed 6 times in scripture. Of those 5 of those times Priscilla is addressed first, considering the writing style it is believed she had the stronger relationship with Paul in faith. In the personal setting, such as home church/bible study in which the couple instructed Apollos, it is reasonable to say Priscilla did more teaching, yet she did so without practicing authority over Apollos. I think it is also important to specify that Paul says a woman is not to have authority over a man, not boy, man. Leading up to a man, I would say it is more than permissible to practice authority on non-adult males. Then the can of beans opened "What is a man?" That is a separate blog unto itself. The short answer, a man is a male who takes responsibility for himself and those around him.

Does this expand to women in the pulpit? Yes, I think it does. I will make it clear though, based on what I have seen and read showing that women are more numerous in ministry, I believe this to be the result of males not being men. If males would be men, much of this controversy and frustration would disappear. The confusion and misunderstanding of what Paul wrote through the Holy Spirit will clear up and we can practice Church as it was meant to be done.

Save The Children

The recent weeks of many boring details and monkey-work has lead to some interesting chats as well as lots of time for me to think. So let's see where this one takes me. One of the topics of discussion was that of how our parents raised us. I think that is very important aspect of one's overall development and certain aspects of which I noticed common patterns from people I have known and observed throughout my experiences here and home. The way I tend to explain my raising was that Mom tried to shelter me and Dad laid it out to us when we were in Jr High that we were on our path to define ourselves. From about that point on I think I made the best efforts I can and continue to do so to be aware of things that are around me. I think my general personality and desire to understand what I do not understand also added to my experiences and thoughts compiled in this blog.

The main topic I found seems rather sad that I have noticed in people around here, that I think directly relates to their raising was if they were "sheltered" or not. From talking to a number of people, in addition to seeing how they react when left to behave on their own, it is rather apparent as to how they were raised in that aspect. I think I have room to relate because after all, mom tried to shelter me. This was manifested in restricting the TV shows, movies, & video games I watched and played. I do not disagree that she meant well in trying to protect us from those topics, and how certain aspects of humanity are displayed, namely sex, drugs, alcohol and violence. I think often when a parent takes an interest in what their child is watching and playing it shows how they care and value what their child experiences.

From my point of view by the time I was 16 I was pretty well set in what games and TV shows would influence me and how. I am not aiming to say that sheltering a child is harmful in the long run, but I do believe it should be done for a rather short period in one's development. How long that period lasts like the manner in which the child will be exposed to certain things are in the hands of the parents. I would comfortably say until about Jr High when other people and things have a greater influence in defining one's self.

What I have observed from others, who have been raised in the sheltered environment, tends to be rather sad. I know their parents wanted to protect them from what the world is really like, because I think for anyone who has spent a year in the real world can agree it is not pretty out there. My own analysis tends to think that because the person was protected and did not experience what the world was like but kept in a bit of a bubble, once they get the sense of all the things there are to experience they get rather crazy. They are confronted with so many decisions about so many things that they have no idea about, they often go with the crowd on decisions that usually don't benefit one's self.

The sheltering feeling is known by the child. The definition of child is not a person under 12 years of age. I suppose teenager would also suffice as the proper subject of this. I knew my Mom was trying to shelter me; I didn't like it at all, when I was with Dad I was free to explore and learn more. That usually meant hearing things & seeing things that would be risqué or downright crude and inappropriate, but I was able to define those things for myself. The way I interpreted my Mom's efforts at that time was that she was in a little dream world and figured if we didn't know about wrong we could not do wrong. At this point I think is was how my Mom thought she could best encourage us to live a Christian lifestyle. I often interpreted it as a lack of trust or a non-belief in my own competence to know what is right and what is wrong.

When I phrased that last sentence in my mind, the idea of Free Will instantly popped into my head, after all, at the Garden of Eden it was that Adam and Eve used their Free Will to sin and separate us from God. Through the blood of Christ are we able to get with God again as Adam and Eve once knew him. I am a strong believer in using Free Will and I think I understand why Free Will exists, I am pretty sure I have blogged about that before. God as our Father, has given each of us free will and in a way I think a parent that shelters their child temporarily removes some of the free will until the supervision of the parent is no longer over the child. I am tempted to say that might be the case in the Parable of the Prodigal Son, although it was a parable, I know similar stories of people doing their own thing and having experiences of life and learning has come back to God in repentance. Actually, that is every one of us; at some point I know we have all left God and returned to Him so maybe it applies for more than I see at the moment.

I have found that many people who were raised in what they describe a rather "religious" atmosphere the majority by now have turned their back on that aspect of life and at best leaves God in terms of a guy way up there with little or no practical application of daily life. It pains me to see because I truly believe that their parents meant well in doing what they could to protect their child, and in a way it was that very protection that set them up for a very rocky trip that often doesn't work out too well. Hopefully somewhere down the road they might return to God or be introduced to him on a personal level. It is sadly a very common thing to see in my current atmosphere.

There a many young adults with regular paychecks left to do whatever they want within the limits of the law. When the law of man is the limit, I think I want to get into a duck and cover position and hope no one gets hurt in the process. I know it is up to a person to do what they want and live how they want to. However, from my point of view and my over analysis of every single thing I do and think about, I am at a unique position to observe those around me and because of my relationship with Christ I know there is so much more to life than people live out. I often pray that me being here is useful for more than writing interesting blogs and having things to think about.

My Dad prepared me for the world I was about to enter. I know I still have much to learn, but the most important things, such as "Who Am I", and "What Am I Here On Earth For?" I am confident in the answers. I have seen and continue to see the vast majority of people not having any idea to the answer to those questions; I think that is the reason why peer pressure so easily influences people. I was talking to Adam, a Christian in my platoon, after one of the long work days and he was commenting about how different I am because I have defined myself before I got to this place and from that I have been able to stand firm against much more pressure than some people he has known.

I believe a parent's task is to prepare their child for life away from them. The best way to go about it is to help them define who they are and want to be, once that is established and held firmly, all other aspects of life are mere details. I greatly value being raised in the church atmosphere, but I do credit much of my grown passion and sprouted desire to known God on the personal level from the Christian influences around me in the early teens. I think that is why I have a passion for youth ministry because I know how much it encouraged my own relationship with Christ and I hope to share it with people at very pivotal points in their lives.

I do find it rather comedic that a 21 year old single guy is writing about raising children in this one, I suppose it may also mean I am thinking a little bit ahead. I don't think I have a place to try to tell any parent how to raise their child. I write this to put my own thoughts on how I have noticed people react to how they were raised. I hope that when my time comes, I will be able to figure out more than what not to do but what to do.

Epilogue: The meat of this blog is still true. I do have a much different view of free will than I did at the time of this writing.