Intergenerational ministry is a vision of the church that takes seriously Paul’s vision of what it means to be “in Christ.” Those generational barriers that often divide or rank us are reconsidered in light of Christ. In the Body of Christ, every part is equal and matters to the collective whole. Every part offers something, and every other part is made better for that contribution.
All tagged generations
An Intergenerational Christmas
Who is God? I return to this question often, especially in this season of Christmas. The advent of Jesus to the world offers an answer—God is a God who lovingly comes close to creation. The incarnational insight is that God desires to be near to all of humanity. God chooses to come and dwell among us.
When All God's People Gather
While this is only a short list of ideas, my hope is that these suggestions offer a point of reference for what intentional intergenerationality could look like in your church as you think through your own context. Regardless of how your church seeks to include children more intentionally within its worship practices, the most important point is to start somewhere so that you can embody being a church where all God’s people gather.
Reflection Roundup: Sacramental Hospitality
As the created world hosts humanity, we have much to learn from the soil, from the seeds. Stretching toward the light, cultivated hearts propagate God’s mission.
Take Care of Your Old Flock
Let me suggest three specific ways to express value and worth to our older members.
Where Did They Go?
Where are our sheep? They are scattered. It is time to invite them back into the care and life of the Christian story!
Barna State of the Church 2020 and the Next Generation
The fact is the church sits in the middle of a world needing restoration, and our next generation sits in the middle of the church.
Exploring Generational Differences in Our Churches
The important move is to encourage church leaders to more directly involve younger adults in the discernment processes of leadership.
Resource Highlight: What the Church Health Assessment Is Teaching Us About Generational Differences
What contributes to the growing divide between older and younger generations' views of the church?
Faith among Emerging Adults
What are emerging adults like, and what are their biggest concerns, questions, and the issues they care about most?
Bringing the Generations Back Together
Ministry leaders in all types of Christian communities are deep in conversation about bringing the generations back together.
Face It – It’s Not Just the Millennials
Is there a generation who doesn’t need more patience or persistence? I don’t think so.
Where Have All the Young People Gone?
With young people, church can feel like a boat full of small holes and slow leaks. When bailing isn’t working, and you are taking on water, it’s tempting to give up.
Refining Our Approach
Those actively involved in church leadership at any level need to be familiar with how to reach different people within their churches.
The Timeless Wisdom of Youths
We need the vision, energy, and passion of our children and young adults, particularly because the church of the future is the church they are destined to be a part of and to lead … or not.
One Thing the Church Needs to Know about Millennials (and Every Other Generation)
Perhaps we are warding off an unspoken fear that our traditions and cultures in the church might be outmoded, passé, and irrelevant.
Nothing in Particular
More and more is being said about the rise of the "nones"--these persons who claim no religious connection.