In recent years, I’ve seen multiple helpful posts regarding how to help children to engage in the worship service or, at the very least, keep them engaged so that others can worship. Ideas, very many of them similar to ones I’ve shared here for years, are floating about and churches are trying out some new ways of gathering together, some for the very first time.
This has the potential to be an incredible boon for connecting generations and creating space for corporate worship across America.
My concern however is that it will have exactly the opposite affect.
You see, first and foremost, intergenerational ministry is not about putting people of multiple generations in a communal space where worship, prayer, and/or teaching takes place. That might be what happens BUT that is not the heart of intergenerational ministry.
True intergenerational ministry is a culture which strives to create environments that foster generational mentorship, intergenerational relationships, and multi-generational experiences that focus on welcome, belonging, and discipleship.
It’s not about putting people in the same space and making sure that everyone can somehow make it through an hour together and hopefully not distract one another too much. That’s a crisis response or a coping mechanism, not a vibrant place of faith, community and worship.
Intergenerational ministry is something that needs time and cultivation. In churches that are strongly separated along generational lines, the introduction of intergenerational worship, study, and prayer is something that should be entered into circumspectly with care given to community needs and corporate identity. There is no cookie-cutter method for intergenerational ministry. Each faith community has particular needs and considerations that must be addressed as intergenerational culture is lived into.
The danger that exists with creating a few busy bags, printing out sermon sheets, making coloring pages available, and the like, isn’t that those things are inherently unhelpful (I actually recommend them in certain contexts); it’s that those things do not make an intergenerational worship service.
My encouragement to those of you dipping your toes in the waters of corporate worship for perhaps the first time is to take the first few Sundays in stride.
You might find that your faith community is ready to begin exploring ways to connect the generations in corporate worship, learning, and serving settings. GREAT! I would be happy to point you in the direct of some fantastic resources.
You might find that your faith community is not ready to engage in fully-integrated worship and learning settings for all ages. That’s fine too. Forcing a square peg in a round hole doesn’t work. But, changing the shape or the culture can work and given time and community buy-in, you might find ways to begin to overlap generations and find space to allow generational discipleship and intergenerational relationships to flourish. I’d be happy to walk alongside of you as you begin to explore ways to make that happen. (A great place to start is here)
Regardless, the major takeaway of this blog post is simply this: While churches may be exploring worship services that are inclusive of all generations by necessity or even desire, without the groundwork of cultural chance, it may not lead to a truly intergenerational community grounded in meaningful relationships and generational discipleship..
But it doesn’t have to remain that way. Worshiping together can become a truly inclusive and formational experience and can be an important part of a growing and connected intergenerational community.
Good Giving 2024
This November, I’m excited to invite you to participate in ReFocus Ministry’s Good Giving Campaign. As we approach Giving Tuesday on December 3, we’re offering you a special opportunity to join our Patreon community and support the mission of connecting generations in lifelong discipleship.
When you sign up or upgrade your Patreon membership by December 3, you’ll receive:
- Exclusive access to an Ask Me Anything (AMA) event with me, Christina Embree, and some of our amazing ReFocus Reflections interviewees.
- A gift certificate for a free quarter (3 months) of Patreon interviews to give to your pastor or children’s pastor, so they can access all our resources and interviews.
- First dibs on webinars, roundtables, resources, and more!
Help us reach our goal of 50 new Patreon subscribers by supporting this ministry that connects generations in faith and discipleship. We would love to have you join us!
Sign up now at https://www.patreon.com/c/ReFocusMinistry
Thank you for your support and for believing in the power of generational discipleship!
It’s time to start connecting generations. We all know it!
But, how to do it? And how to do it in a way that is sustainable in a supportive environment? Let’s go deeper – deeper in our understanding of generational discipleship, lifelong faith formation, and intentional discipling community.
ReFocus Ministry Cohorts provide ministry leaders with the opportunity to expand their leadership skills in a twelve-week shared learning experience. Facilitated by Christina, a cohort group of 4-6 individuals from multiple denominational backgrounds meet weekly to explore and apply the principles of leadership in generational discipleship, intergenerational ministry, and church culture transition.
Learn More: https://refocusministry.org/speaking-coaching/
(ReFocus Ministry Cohort Tab)
Submit Interest Form: https://forms.gle/WKf2Zd97kv95vovr7
Scholarship inquiries: Email christina@refocusministry.org
About the Founder of ReFocus Ministry
Christina Embree is the founder and director of ReFocus Ministry. She holds a masters in ministry focused on Children, Youth, and Family Ministry and a doctorate in spiritual formation with a focus on age segregation and intergenerational ministry.
In addition to coaching churches of multiple denominations and traditions all around the globe, Christina serves as the Minister of Generational Discipleship for the Great Lakes Conference of the Brethren in Christ and as Next Gen pastor at Open Door Church in Lexington, Kentucky.
She is widely recognized as a speaker and author in the areas of generational discipleship, intergenerational ministry, and family ministry. As the mother of three children, she is familiar with the challenges of faith at home and pastoral ministry. She along with her husband Luke share a love for the church, their community, and the global work of peace and restoration through Jesus.
Interested in having Christina visit your church, speak at your conference, or coach your team?
Christina speaks on a wide range of topics related to children, youth, and family ministry with a unique focus on connecting generations for discipleship within your church. Her personalized approach allows you to pinpoint the needs of your community and gain the insight that you are looking for. Whether this is a volunteer team training and pastoral staff meeting or a ministerial conference, her experience and knowledge will help you determine the next step forward in creating lifelong disciples.
