[It is my honor to introduce you to Dr. Lawson Murray who has graciously allowed us to reprint this article he wrote earlier for his Children’s Ministry Basics website for Scripture Union Canada. Dr. Murray’s article will launch us into our topic for this month about rethinking how we integrate the generations in the Church. Be sure to check out some of Dr. Murray’s other articles HERE.]
From age-isolated to age-integrated. How do you go about initiating intergenerational ministry in your church? Before answering this question, let’s define intergenerational ministry…
Intergenerational ministry is two or more age groups intentionally cooperating in worshiping, witnessing, and working together to connect people with Jesus and His Story. It is where the experiences, voices, and contributions of each generation are genuinely listened to and valued. It’s all ages welcomed, invigorated, and engaged to reach, rescue, root, and release one another to love and live for Jesus. In other words, it’s where the body of Christ comes together to mutually and collaboratively use their gifts to build each other up in the faith and knowledge of Christ until they become fully mature (cf. Ephesians 4:13).
Here, then, are ten practical suggestions for initiating intergenerational ministry in your church whether you are a pastor or lay person (share these things with your pastor):
TAKE STOCK
Understand your context. Where are you on the continuum between age-isolated and age-integrated relationships? What are the existing age-isolated and age-integrated ministries and activities? How entrenched and dedicated are the church leaders to the current ministry model? Is the congregation open to change?
ENLIST HELP
Procure the assistance of influencers, stakeholders, and leaders. Intergenerational ministry requires buy-in and intentionality from those in leadership, including modeling and thoughtful cultivation of the attitudes and activities that advance intergenerational engagement.
TEACH BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES
God’s Word should inform and shape intergenerational ministry. Change happens when older generations are taught the foundational imperative to “tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done” (Psalm 78:4). If adults aren’t convinced it’s their God-given purpose and responsibility to invest in successive generations, progress will be stalled.
COMMIT TO CHANGE
Intergenerational ministry is a paradigm shift. Every person needs to understand that intergenerational ministry is more than a strategy. It’s a core value—a fundamental change in approach and underlying assumptions. As much as possible, everyone should commit to change and prayerfully pursue it.
BE STRATEGIC
Church leaders will need to prepare and equip every age group. Develop strategies that foster relationships in and between different age groups. Avoid large-scale program changes initially. It is important to understand and reorder your ecclesiology so the individuals who make up the whole are clusters of primary relationships which function as a family of families.
START SMALL
Identify existing intergenerational links and activities. Tweak what you’re currently doing to enhance and consolidate intergenerational connections. Try integrating all age groups in a Bible study group, outreach event, or unique program. Experiment (once a month?) with a multi-generational Sunday service that actively involves all generations in planning and running it.
INTEGRATE INTO EXISTING STRUCTURES
View every activity through an “intergenerational lens.” Ministry plans and procedures should fit with and help your church become an authentic intergenerational community. No two inter-generational ministries are the same. And effective intergenerational ministry must be carefully aligned with your church’s culture, community, and context.
BUILD MOMENTUM
Cast vision. Inform and inspire. Bridge generational gaps. Share inspirational stories that show the benefits of intergenerational ministry. Celebrate progress. Lovingly and patiently correct and rebuke selfishness and entitlement – they’re the enemies of intergenerational ministry.
ADJUST EXPECTATIONS
Help adults understand the different expectations and outcomes when children and youth are involved. Find ways to help children and youth fine-tune the way they interact with adults. Be prepared for a bumpy ride. Cultivate an attitude and a commitment of the whole congregation to “honor one another above yourselves” (Romans 12:10).
MAINTAIN BALANCE
Keep intergenerational ministry in balance with age-specific ministry. All age groups have unique needs and require space to grow and develop at their own pace. Everyone needs peer and multi-generation relationships. So, as you become more intergenerational, don’t do so at the expense of age-specific ministry.
FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION? After reading Dr. Murray’s thoughts on this subject, we’d like to hear about your insights and experiences with initiating intergenerational ministry in your church. If you are a pastor, how can you move your congregation from an age-isolated model to an age-integrated model that reflects the biblical view of the family of God?
If you are not clergy, what could you do to share this vision with your pastor and church leaders? Is there anything that would keep you from doing that?
BIO: Dr. Murray has served as a pastor, teacher, church planter, and children/youth evangelist. He is currently an author and president of the Scripture Union/Canada where he serves as children’s ministry consultant, conference speaker, adjunct seminary professor, international trainer, Bible engagement advocate, family ministry champion, and ministry innovator. You may contact Dr. Lawson Murray at lawson@scriptureunion.ca
Wow! I guess we were ahead of our time. My husband is 90 and I am 87. Back in the early 80s, when we were still raising our children, three mothers came together who were concerned that our children were not enthusiastic about the age specific ministries that our church provided to them. We certainly didn’t want our children to grow up disliking church. So we decided to start an intergenerational ministry without even realizing that’s what we were doing. We started a Bible study with five sets of parents and 20 children, so 30 in all. The children’s ages spanned from 13 to 22. We are Catholic, so we studied the scripture of the Mass for each weekend. Then we broke into intergenerational groups to discuss the scripture. We came back together, and one person reported from each group what the group had learned. Sometimes we came up with an action step, motivated by the scripture. We alternated hosting this big group in our homes. The discussion groups were held in different rooms in the houses: bedrooms, kitchen, dining room, living room. Sometimes we had our own retreats. We had football players in the group so we always included a meal with plenty of food. We also included fun activities together. We offered our services to sing at one of the Christmas Masses (two of the older kids were guitar players and strong vocalists). Another year we sang Christmas carols at a local nursing home. We made Valentines and delivered them to somebody that wouldn’t be remembered on Valentine’s Day. One time, each family acted out their favorite scripture story. This group met every other weekend for 6 1/2 years. My husband still says that is the best thing we ever did together as a family. We tried to pass on this ides to several congregations. Only one group ever picked up on it, of which we are aware. We enthusiastically endorse this method of passing on the Faith to the next generation! If you are interested, and would like more information, contact Cavin Harper, and he will connect us.