Multigenerational Ministry
The generational studies we read today typically focus on the contrasts of millennials vs. boomers or busters vs. gen-z. While this information helps us know our audience, we must not allow this steady stream of separating generations to subtly slide into our thinking on ministering to multiple generations.
Every church I knew, organized ministry by one criterion: age groups. Sunday school, mid-week ministry, activities, camp, speakers, budgets, facility space, and serving teams were universally divided along one line – ages. Even to the point of designating “youth sections” in the auditorium for services.
After decades of this model, we can see many unfortunate and unintended consequences from this structure like, “why don’t parents take the spiritual formation of their children more seriously?” Maybe because church leadership has trained them to drop the kids off where the experts will take over. “Why are so many teens dropping out of church when they graduate?” Maybe because we removed them from the church body all through childhood. Emerging from said isolation, they see “adult church” as foreign and uninviting, so they walk away. “Why are so many Christians, self-centered consumers?” Because we have built specialty groups catering to each age group’s unique preferences and desires. We have trained them to think it all revolves around them! Why would they think anything less than what their spiritual leaders have taught them through practice?
Please do not misunderstand me when I say that seasons of life are imaginary or need no special attention. Certainly, they do. But when the steady stream of spiritual growth is done by separating generations from one another, we only hurt our churches.
God consistently points us to multi-generational wisdom for the oversight of the church. From Deuteronomy 6 and Psalm 78, and many other passages, we find God consistently lay the weight of responsibility for spiritual formation of the next generation on the parents, especially the father. And many times include grandparents in the charge. This divine design does not change from the Old to the New Testament, or from the first century to today. Statistically, there is no argument that parents are a far stronger source of influence on children than pastors or children’s workers. In Titus, God commands the pastor of Crete to make sure younger Christians were trained in living sound doctrine by having the older generations teach them how. Paul also instructed Timothy that a four-generation plan be implemented for perpetually passing on Christian living (2 Timothy 2:2). The sufficient Scriptures continually point us to building believers through plugging them into multi-generational relationships. This brings great value to the young Christian who learns steady and consistent faith from those who have already walked the road ahead. Enthusiasm and refreshment are imparted to the aged believer when they find a ready learner (“disciple”) in the next generation.
Not only does the Scripture point us to building believers through multi-generational connections, but we can quickly assess many practical benefits.
First is the quantity of influence. The most faithful families in our church give us 3 out of 168 hours each week with their children. What if we could turn that number into fifty or sixty out of 168? We can by recognizing the main spiritual influencer in that child’s life is the parent(s) who have them all week long.
Second is the impact of influence. We have all probably experienced the ability of a grandparent to say things to a grandchild that no one else can get away with. What if we were routinely equipping biological and spiritual grandparents for this?
The third is the pool of potential connections. Several studies have concluded that if a first-year churchgoer will make five meaningful connections in the church family, they will stick around, but if not, they will be gone by the end of year one. Purposefully recruiting youth to spend time with retirees, and plugging young moms into groups with older moms multiplies connection possibilities from one teacher per study to fifteen participants per study. From one youth pastor (or his wife) to six youth workers.
Where do we schedule this? This is not “another ministry to add” but normal ministry thinking. Organizing is good, isolating via organization is bad! Have the 55+ group invite the teens to an activity with them once a year, and visa versa. Have an older lady serve with a younger lady in the nursery rotation. Once a quarter, send the teens into the children’s ministry room for the Bible lesson or craft time. Find and recommend (or even give away) Family Devotional resources from the pulpit. Go after parents as first-line recruits for serving where their children are. Verbally encourage family interaction, and sitting together, during services – like praying together, taking communion together, and sharing testimonies or praises. Regularly plan parent/student ministry meetings or special events.
Steven Hodges
Lead Pastor, Gospel Baptist Church