Intergenerational Ministry

By Ted Johnston

People today are typically broken down into categories based on the year they were born and assigned labels like the Greatest Generation, the Silent Generation, the Sandwich Generation, Baby Boomers, Gen X, Gen Y and Millennials. Demographers and marketing specialists have created additional sub-categories within these groups, which can make tracking the interests, habits and values of a particular sub-group a science in itself. While such fragmenting of the population can be useful, it can also be divisive and unhelpful.

Within the church, we are always concerned about ministering faithfully and skillfully to all age groups. And to do so we often separate members into groups based on age (older adults, middle adults, young adults, teens, children, etc.). While this approach is sometimes helpful, I want to make a plea for us to emphasize and provide for ministry that is intergenerational.

In my faith family, the Worldwide Church of God, we have a set of related ministries brought together within an organization named, “Generations ministry.” This ministry focuses on helping Christians of all ages reach out with Jesus’ life-changing love to disciple young adults, teens and children. It is our belief and conviction that these ministries are most productive when they are truly intergenerational. By intergenerational we mean two or more different age groups growing and living in faith together.

Biblical foundation

The idea of intergenerational ministry is thoroughly biblical. Many passages of Scripture remind us of God's intent to develop his people within multi-generational communities. Note, for example, the following:

“Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).

“One generation shall laud your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts”

(Psalm 145:4).

“But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together... promotes the body's growth in building itself up in love” (Ephesians 4:15-16). Note that the ‘whole body’ in the context of Paul’s letter includes children (Ephesians 6:1-4).

“Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4: 12).

Cultural imperative

Intergenerational ministry is also a cultural imperative in our contemporary world where age-groups are separated, segregated and thus fragmented in so many settings for school, recreation, etc. Sadly, one such setting is the church where, according to a recent poll, approximately 75% of all children raised in the Christian church leave the church when they graduate from high school. Why? Part of the answer is that children and teens in our culture crave involvement. When young Christians are involved in ministry at a young age, they are much more likely to develop an understanding of their gifts, and to be committed to using those gifts within the church as they age. This not only blesses the church, but limits the aimlessness of teens and college students who grow up without this sense of purpose and belonging.

Intergenerational ministry events

Intergenerational and cross-generational ministry events or activities provide places and times wherein adults, children, and youth are able to engage in dialog with one another and to grow in faith by working, playing, praying and worshiping side-by-side. Such events are often ‘family’ oriented, where family is defined in the broadest sense of ‘extended family’ often including blended families, single-parent families and multiple generations within one family. Such family events should be inclusive of single and divorced people as well so as to encourage interaction between members of a particular family in the context of the wider congregational ‘family’.

One church attempting to embrace the intergenerational concept regularly sponsors “intergen-friendly” activities, including:

• Pen pal programs between seniors and children
• Grandparents Day at the local zoo (where grandparents come with their grandchildren and children)
• Family camps for all ages
• Back to school parties with young and old answering questions about their own school days
• Movie nights that feature oldies like Laurel and Hardy, Abbot and Costello
• Short term mission trips mixing seniors, singles and families

Note that the Worldwide Church of God provides a short term mission event called “Crossing Borders” that welcomes older teens and adults. This week-long event includes training in Texas followed by mission work in Mexico. For more information about this camp you can send an email inquiry to Lee.Berger@wcg.org

Benefits, bonuses and blessings

Bringing generations together within the church provides blessings on a variety of levels including the following:

• They reclaim God's intent for faith to be shared in community and across generations

• They affirm each person’s value in the total community (regardless of age)

• They foster a foundation of support of each other's concerns, interests, and activities

• They break down stereotypes and barriers that stand between generations and give new meaning to “faith family”

• They provide “up close and personal” discipleship training as children, teens and adults engage in sharing faith, teaching, learning, and praying for one another

• They foster leadership regardless of age or stature

• They take a pro-active, counter-cultural stance in the face of the countless ways society separates and pigeon-holes people into age-specific groups

Planning tips

There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to planning intergenerational ministry events and programs. But here are some tips that will help church leaders, parents and others in event planning:

· Use a planning team that has representatives of every generation. Capture the rich wealth of gifts, creativity, experience, and passion present when those of all ages come to the planning table.

· As you plan, ask the following question: Does each action or activity advance intergenerational relationships? Is each age group present in your congregation justly considered and involved?

· Plan occasional events at times when those usually unable to attend can participate. For example, why not host a gathering over Christmas break when college students are home and when relatives and friends may be visiting for the holidays?

· Create an event environment where each person, no matter their age, feels welcomed, accepted, affirmed, and valued as integral contributors to the faith community and to the learning experience.

· If you need to segregate the group by age, begin and end the event with a total group gathering (this is a good idea to use for regular worship services where children and/or teens are being excused to another room for age-graded learning during the sermon time).

· Let the event be led by those of all ages.

· Use child-friendly language in teaching, giving directions, explanations, etc.

· Give attention to different learning styles and preferences.

· Today’s younger generations are oriented to participatory learning. Use dialog is thus essential. Plan intentional opportunities for participants to share thoughts, feelings, faith, personal history, fears, or dreams with someone from another generation.

· Provide child care for infants or toddlers.

· In months where there is a fifth Sunday, set aside the regular church service for an event that is fully-focused on bringing all the generations together in worship, celebration and fellowship.