Survivor’s introduction summarized it well: “…they must work together to build shelter, find food, and survive the island, but ultimately it is everyone for themselves…” It’s the perfect paradoxical attraction for the postmodern adult. (It also explains why some boomers and builders hated the show and couldn’t understand the fascination with the show.) On the one hand, we want to see real community. People in close quarters struggling to survive and learning to work together. People encouraging one another. People gifted in one area helping those who have talents in another area, and vice versa. On the other hand, it all boils down to the individual. I want to be a part of an organic, dynamic community, but ultimately so that I can be appreciated, so that I can be affirmed, so that I can feel good. I want to feel like I am part of something bigger than myself. Oh yeah, and I want to win the game too!

Ultimately, the mix of community and individualism was Rich’s winning formula. He initiated and maintained the Tagi alliance as well as developing a personal alliance with loyal builder Rudy which got them both into the final four. At the same time, Rich made no bones about the fact that he was playing the game. He was there for the million dollars. He would do what he needed, as ethically as he deemed possible, to become the survivor.

As Joel commented in the post-game interviews, the Gen Xers in the Pagong tribe were too individualistic to build formal alliances. Yet before the tribes merged to become Rattana, the Pagong tribe was clearly more of a community than the Tagi tribe. Despite the fact that he was doing most of the work, BB’s outspokenness made him the first member of their tribe voted off in episode 2. Similarly, after Ramona was voted off the island in episode 4, the tribe felt “bonded into a warm family unit in their twelve days on the island” causing Jenna to comment, “You do what you have to do, because that’s all part of the game. But that doesn’t make it easy.”

Meanwhile, the formal alliance of the Tagi tribe methodically picked off the Pagong members after the merger and then eliminated Sean who was slow to join the alliance initially. As well, Sean’s change of mind in taking Rich instead of Kelly with him to the cruise ship implicated him as not a true member of their community. Yet there seemed to be little affection or even common decency between the Tagi tribe members in the end. Sue’s tirade against Kelly on the final episode was the most flagrant illustration of fake community, but Rich’s bail out on Rudy in the final immunity challenge shouldn’t go unnoticed either. And even though Rich and Kelly brought two special keepsakes from the island for Rudy and his wife, presenting them to him in the post-game show, the retired Navy Seal still wanted to simply “shake their hands and never see any of them again.”

Having bought into Darwinian “survival of the fittest,” Gen Xers are willing to help others along the way, but look out for number one. Rich’s victory demonstrates this postmodern paradox at its best. While it sounds like a nice idea for everyone to band together and have an “all-for-one and one-for all” approach, Gen Xers don’t actually believe that works in real life.

The same beliefs that made Survivor a success are also relevant to postmodern views of the Church. There is an incredible thirst for real community, real love and care. A family that doesn’t let you down and isn’t two-faced. Theologically, I believe it is possible through the Spirit of God for unity, for true community. But many postmodernist Christians do not truly believe this is possible. Like Survivor, we would like everyone to work together, but in the end, it won’t work. So I resort to protecting myself from physical, emotional, or spiritual back-stabbers.

A pastor’s plea for new believers in the church to become members is pointless if the underlying assumption is that community members will eventually turn on you. An invitation to use your spiritual gifts as part of a ministry team can be seen as a call to Survivor rather than an opportunity for service. Why join the community when I know that will just end up defending myself?

These are but two illustrations of the multiple ways that the postmodern mindset exemplified by Survivor could be displayed or ignorantly misunderstood in 21st century churches. Leaders must find ways to build trust with the people they serve if they are to truly minister in the midst of this postmodern paradox.

Steven C. Ibbotson (M.Div.) teaches Bible and Theology and Prairie Bible College, Three Hills, Alberta, Canada and serves on the Board of Elders at the Prairie Tabernacle Congregation.