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Champions Fax Archiveby Brad Sargent Volume 4, Number 7, April 5, 1999 I'm increasingly being asked what I think the future of postmodernism holds, or whether there will be a post-postmodernism, and if so, what could it plausibly look like. I think that the barometer subculture for the future edge of postmodernism can be found in the so-called "global nomads" or "third culture kids," which have been emerging in the late 1990s. These groups give us specific insight into the multiple-cultural, globally-linked, urban-centered personal formation typical of the youth who may well emerge as a mainstream culture between 2010 and 2020. Third culture kids were often referred to formerly as "MKs": missionary kids. But the borders have been expanded to include other natural constituents to their fold -- children of diplomats, international business workers, and military personnel. These young people grow up not necessarily identifying with the culture in their country of passport, nor in their current country of residence. Thus, a virtual third culture has been created. TCKs frequently connect with each other through attending international schools or international churches. Because of their early life exposure to racial and cultural diversity, they tend to develop a cultural fluency just like a "second language without an accent". Given their cultural sophistication, third culture kids belong everywhere ... and yet nowhere, which may give a sense of insecurity and rootlessness. Still, they have been called cultural brokers, bridge people, and peace-makers in the midst of a pluralistic world. Some of the best resources on TCKs I've found so far are web sites. Study the personal stories and articles at: globalnomads.association.com, www.tckworld.com, and www.barnabas.org. You may want to read or watch a film version of the 1933 novel Lost Horizon by James Hilton, about the Shangri-la paradise in which children from all over the world grow and learn together. Or try the chapter on Global Teenagers in The Art of the Long View by Peter Schwartz (1996, Currency Doubleday, ISBN 0-385-26732-0). So what? Like the global nomads and TCKs, Over the Edge Christians will have a unique personal formation in multiple cultures that makes them culturally fluent, without necessarily living internationally. All that is needed is intentional exposure from a young age to people of various ages, races, economic classes and cultures. Projecting what this group could look like, it appears that diversity, truth, and justice would probably be among their highest values. If so, Over the Edgers will probably be willing to take substantial relational risks to serve as advocates, culture brokers, and mediators. Imagine the force for world evangelization and development that could arise from this group as they follow Christ! We can also expect them to play significant roles as "world Christians" involved in global business enterprises, international development teams, and other kinds of direct and indirect evangelism work to bless the nations. Eds. Note: I feel Brad's comments are a real challenge to us. As I said in the first of this series, many of these things are not showing up in the majority of our churches yet. However we see great challenges ahead of us as these things begin to affect us. Wise leaders will be in touch with these ideas. Brad would love to dialogue either by phone or e-mail. He can be reached at 415.380.1480 or at BradSargent@ggbts.edu. Case studies of churches reaching postmodern generations are also available.
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