Of Intergenerational Relationships

For example, as I explain in the book, research suggests that one of the factors that contributes to whether or not young people stay active in church after high school is intergenerational relationships. The students who have more and deeper relationships with adults other than their parents are much more likely to remain in the church in college and beyond. Now, smaller congregations offer tons of opportunity for developing these intergenerational relationships. But the hallmark of large churches is age-segmented ministry, programs designed to separate children from youth, youth from adults, young adults from seniors. When small churches imitate this model, they undercut their advantage for fostering intergenerational relationships. — Brandon O’Brien author of The Strategically Small Church

HT: Ed Stetzer

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2010
08/03
POSTED BY
CATEGORY
Random Stuff
6 comments
  • Guest

    This is one of the great benefits of a fulsome smaller congregation. This intergenerational glory has to be purposed. We have to go out of our way to interact and build relationships with those younger and older than us. We have to invite them to our parties and ask them over for dinner. We have to make sure to speak to the kiddies and try to engage them in conversation often. Good word, buddy.

  • http://prussic.wordpress.com tim prussic

    This is one of the great benefits of a fulsome smaller congregation. This intergenerational glory has to be purposed. We have to go out of our way to interact and build relationships with those younger and older than us. We have to invite them to our parties and ask them over for dinner. We have to make sure to speak to the kiddies and try to engage them in conversation often. Good word, buddy.

  • http://jonspach.com Jason Anspach

    I totally agree. You find discipleship and teaching happening across generational lines throughout the Scriptures. Paul specifically tells women to do so in Titus 2 – but how many women's groups are designed to be clubs for people of similar age or life experience? The trend to make church a compartment of like-aged and like-minded believers came from somewhere, but it sure wasn't the Bible.

  • http://www.fingertoe.com/blog Josh Reighley

    It is funny how people can take Titus 2 to mean that the 16 year old girls should mentor the 12 year olds..

  • http://jonspach.com Jason Anspach

    People used to get married at 12, right? So in that historical period, it almost makes sense. 4 years of marriage under your belt.

    As for today, that's a bit of a stretch in application of the Word.

  • Kris Kord

    This is right on the money! It is no secret that after high school, many young people feel like they have no place in the church any longer, so they leave. The contemporary answer has been, “We need a college age/young adult ministry, in order to make these young people feel like they still belong. Sure, let's make them feel like they belong by SEGREGATING THEM! How counterintuitive is that!? Let's break out of our comfort zones and actually build relationships with them. We are dead wrong if we think that those older or younger than ourselves are so different that it will be impossible to build a meaningful relationship. If nothing else, (and I would argur there is plenty on the 'else' side of things) we all worship the same God and Saviour, Jesus Christ. That should count for something in this all too often disjointed body, right?