Faith communities take seriously the inclusion of all in the body of Christ. We are all made in the image of God. That means that we value each other; through our presence and through our contribution. We begin with the understanding that our faith is shaped by those younger and older than us—all are welcome. We anticipate that God will speak to us through the community of faith, not just its adult members.

An intergenerational faith community recognises that we can all learn and grow together. It declares that we all have something to contribute for the benefit of the whole. We are members of the body of Christ as described in 1 Corinthians 12, regardless of age.¹

Faith communities are one of the few places where all generations can come together on a regular interactive basis. Yet, the societal trend toward age segregation has also entered churches. Age-based classes and separate worship services for adults, teens and children tend to separate age groups from each other, so that many people experience their faith as age-segregated throughout their lives. While, at times this is appropriate and needed, it has been at the detriment of intergenerational relationships and engagement.

Scripture presents coming to know God, as both a family and community-based process. God’s directives for his people in the OT clearly identify the Israelites as a relational community—children were not just included, they were drawn in and assimilated into the whole community with a deep sense of belonging. The directives for feasts and celebrations illustrate this point best. All of Israel participated, from the youngest to the oldest. The purpose was to remind them of who they were, who God was, and what God had done for his people in ages past. As children and teens danced, sang, ate, listened to the stories, and asked questions, they came to know who they were and who they were to be.

The early church was also a multigenerational entity. All generations met together, worshipping, breaking bread, praying, and ministering to one another in the context of the home (Acts 2,4,16). The Ephesians are an example of people who engaged their children in the life of the faith community (Ephesians 6:1-3).

Today we are still called to be this type of community. A place where children, teens and adults know each other and value generational relationships. This will involve initiating intergenerational opportunities in both weekend and weekday life. Being in the same building or multigenerational room is only the first step. For relationship to develop, all ages need to be able to contribute, interact, share, serve and lead.

As children are assimilated with a deep sense of belonging into the body of Christ, they will make sense of their experiences with God. They will see their parents and others worship, pray with and for each other, minister to others, and be ministered to. They will come to see that all things in their lives are under God. They will be privy to the normal Christian life as lived by the significant adults in their lives. And they will come to know God better.²

Intergenerational ministry is a philosophy of ministry rather than a programme —a way of being rather than doing.
Grow Ministries