When will the Z become ironic?
In 1987 a revolution happened. The Church of the Nazarene in Wynona, South Dakota changed the name of its children’s ministry to “Nazarene Xtreme Kidz” (perhaps alluding to the “Z” in Nazarene), they were following the lead of multiple youth ministries since the early 80′s to use the “Z” in place of an “S”. This seemingly insignificant event sparked a worldwide naming phenomenon with thousands of churches jumping on the great ‘Z’ bandwagon.
South African preschool’s, English after school programs, Australian sunday schools were proudly displaying their relevance to the world. And it continues to this day with “Z” prominently displayed on many a logo and clipart noticeboard around the world.
But I am still waiting.
You see most everything from the 70′s 80′s and 90′s has come back again as a cultural force. Flares, Midriff tank tops, Hula Hoops, Yo-Yo’s, George Bush, Rubix Cubes — even Michael Jackson was experiencing a resurgence towards the end of his life.
We take cultural influences from our past, and in bouts of nostalgia… reinvent them. Look for Hannah Montana in 2032 to make a comeback, mark my words.
But in order for something to return, even ironically (like a 30 year old hipster wearing a Knight Rider tee-shirt), it needs to go away.
And that’s the problem… Z never went away. It hung around like an Uncle who lost his job and is living in your basement.
So I wait. Wait for a death so I can experience a resurrection. For until I can name a children’s ministry – “Miraclez Sunshinez Kidz Ministriez” — and everyone gets the joke, I shall have no part of it.
P.S. Yes, much of this post is parody.
P.P.S. Please don’t make me specify which part.
P.P.S. The “Z” sensation was only eclipsed in significance and impact by the inclusion of the famous Comic Sans font in the release of Windows ’95, igniting a firestorm of imagination and whimsy in paper signs on the doors of preschools the world over.