bridging the generation gap in ministry: multi-generational church (anli)

Bridging the Generation Gap in Ministry

From All Nations Leadership Institute

What is a multi-generational church?

A multi-generational church is one where at least three generations exist in harmony, under one leadership head.

What are the attitudes, access and relationships necessary for a multi-generational church?

Attitudes, Access and Relationships

Relationships

Access

Attitudes

Attitudes, Access and Relationships

Attitudes•Values and respects the other•Seeks to serve the other

Access•Has access to the same kinds of ministry• Has opportunity to worship according to their preference

and in unity with the other

Relationships•Cross-generational relationships exist•Older generations disciple the one beneath them•Younger generations teach the ones above them •Each generation learns from the other

What does the Bible say about cross-generational ministry?

Titus 2:4-5 shows an example of discipling through the passing on of Christian values from the older women to younger. The older women established a household code that the younger women taught to their children. This created a continuous learning cycle .

The relationship between Jesus and His disciples, as well as with Paul and Timothy also show generational mentoring.

What the Bible says about cross-generational ministry

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates (Deut. 6:4-9, New International Version).

What the Bible says about cross-generational ministry

What is the biblical basis for a multi-generational church?

Jesus gave us the Great Commission to “therefore go and make disciples of all nations…” (Matt 28:18, New International Version). This is an inclusive statement that encompasses everyone from all generations.

O my people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things, things from of old--what we have heard and known, what our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done (Ps. 78:1-4, New International Version,).

What are the different age spans in a multi-generational church?

There are five generations: Seniors, Builders, Boomers, Generation X and Generation Y.

Generation Ranges (Adapted from Whitesel, B. & Hunter K., 2000)

Seniors & Builders

• (B)1927-45• (S) <1926

Boomers • 1946-1964

Gen X • 1965-1983

Gen Y • 1984-2002

General Preferences:Seniors and Builders

Seniors and Boomers

Seniors(Before 1926)

&

Builders(Born

1927 -45)

Seniors and Boomers

Seniorsand

Builders

CHANGE

Like stability,

constancy, and

minimal change

Seniors and Builders

Seniors and

Builders

CHANGE

Like stability,

constancy, and

minimal change

LEARNING

Prefer lecture format

Seniors and Builders

Seniors and

Builders

CHANGE

Like stability,

constancy, and

minimal change

LEARNING

Prefer lecture format

LEGACY

Build the Western

world into a safe place

Seniors and Builders

Seniors and

Builders

CHANGE

Like stability,

constancy, and

minimal change

LEARNING

Prefer lecture format

LEGACY

Build the Western

world into a safe place

CHURCH

Need to be heard;

Like traditional

hymns and

customs

(Adapted from Whitesel, B. & Hunter K., 2000)

General Preferences:Boomers

Boomers

Boomers(Born

1946-64)

Boomers

Boomers

CHANGE

Like experimentation; Seek

and find more

efficient ways to do

things

Boomers

Boomers

CHANGE

Like experimentation; Seek

and find more

efficient ways to do

things

LEARNING

Prefer participa-

tion format, where

questions are en-

couraged

Boomers

Boomers

CHANGE

Like experimentation; Seek

and find more

efficient ways to do

things

LEARNING

Prefer participa-

tion format, where

questions are en-

couraged

LEGACY

Made the world a better place

through innovation, but not a

safer place

Boomers

Boomers

CHANGE

Like experimentation; Seek

and find more

efficient ways to do

things

LEARNING

Prefer participa-

tion format, where

questions are en-

couraged

LEGACY

Made the world a better place

through innovation, but not a

safer place

CHURCH

Needs of congrega-

tion;Soft rock

w/ choruses &

some media usage

(Adapted from Whitesel, B. & Hunter K., 2000)

General Preferences:Gen X

Gen X

Gen X(Born

1965-83)

Gen X

Gen X

CHANGE

Radical experi-

menting

Combiningincompa-

tible concepts

Gen X

Gen X

CHANGE

Radical experi-

menting

Combiningincompa-

tible concepts

LEARNING

Socratic method;

Questions&

dissent en-couraged

Gen X

Gen X

CHANGE

Radical experi-

menting

Combiningincompa-

tible concepts

LEARNING

Socratic method;

Questions&

dissent en-couraged

LEGACY

Saved the world from

itself(pollution, overpopulation, etc.)

Gen X

Gen X

CHANGE

Radical experi-

menting

Combiningincompa-

tible concepts

LEARNING

Socratic method;

Questions&

dissent en-couraged

LEGACY

Saved the world from

itself(pollution, overpopulation, etc.)

CHURCH

Needs of the

community like

interactive/edgy post-

modern rock

(Adapted from Whitesel, B. & Hunter K., 2000)

General Preferences:Gen Y

Gen Y

Gen Y(Born 1984-

2002)

Gen Y

Gen Y

CHANGE

Embrace electronic

community & com-

munication for better

living

Gen Y

Gen Y

CHANGE

Embrace electronic

community & com-

munication for better

living

LEARNING

Electronichyper

Socratic method;

active confron-tation,

leading to insight-

Gen Y

Gen Y

CHANGE

Embrace electronic

community & com-

munication for better

living

LEARNING

Electronichyper

Socratic method;

active confron-tation,

leading to insight-

LEGACY

Wants to be the

generation that

plugged into

everything

Gen Y

Gen Y

CHANGE

Embrace electronic

community & com-

munication for better

living

LEARNING

Electronichyper

Socratic method;

active confron-tation,

leading to insight-

LEGACY

Wants to be the

generation that

plugged into

everything

CHURCH

Closely connected

to one another;

post modern & edgy; high

media usage

(Adapted from Whitesel, B. & Hunter K., 2000)

What causes conflict between the generations?

COMMUNICATION STYLEStyle differs in preaching, teaching and small group.

SET IN WAYS

Don’t want to pass the baton or respect competency of next generationWORSHIP STYLE PREFERENCE

Congregants have a strong preference for a particular worship style.

TRADITION

People don’t always want to change traditions.

What are the strategies to create a multi-generational church?

• Let’s first review the basic framework for leading in a diverse church.

• There are five indicators, which are perspective, intentionality, adaptability, inclusivity and communication.

• This framework represents the indicators you need to consider in ministry regarding a person’s cultural background.

Considering another’s viewpoint as influenced by cultural background, gender, race, socioeconomic level

Taking intentional steps towards bringing the body of Christ into oneness, our purpose

Adjusting to other people’s ways that are different than ours—Changing the method, not the message

Creating an environment where all are included and have access to reconciliation with God.

Using communication that respects, supports, reaches, and bridges diversity

Perspective

Intentionality

Adaptability

Inclusivity

Communication

PURPOSE

Access to Reconciliation

with God

Agape Love

Framework for Leading in a Diverse Church

Agape LoveAgap

e Lo

ve

Agape Love

From Paron, J. (2008).

Strategies to create a healthy, multi-generational church culture

Strategies for Producing a Healthy, Multi-generational Church Culture

Strategy 1

•Build support for genuine respect of different generational viewpoints

Strategy 2

•Promote acceptance of different traditions and methodologies used by each generation

Strategy 3

•Demonstrate understanding of strengths and balances in the generational diversity of a multi-generational church

Strategy 4

•Create new terminology to delicately handle any potential discord

Strategy 5

•Facilitate acceptance for multi-generational strategies as some of the ways to build a church and bridge diversity

Adapted from Whitesel, B. & Hunter, K. (2000). A House Divided. Strategies to Bridge the Gap. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press.

Understanding the Strategy

You want to create an environment for love. When love prevails, judgment ends, respect follows – (Matt. 22:37-40, KJV).

Part of love is accepting each other: what each feels, how each behaves and why they respond in a certain way.

We need to appreciate “that another culture’s software program may run differently from ours…(Soong-Chan, R., 2010).

Strategy 1: Build support for genuine respect of different generational viewpoints

Strategy 2: Accepts that different traditions & methodologies will be employed by each generation

Understanding the Strategy

Church traditions are a way for people to express their faith.

Churches have many traditions. These traditions can be historic and part of denominational heritage. They can also reflect practices and perspectives adapted from the past.

All these are made in the face of changing social and cultural circumstances.

Understanding the Strategy

A church with one generation, doesn’t have the richness and knowledge as one that is multi generational.

When the diversity of the Body comes together for the purpose of the salvation message it supports the Great Commission

Last, each generation strengthens the other. Iron sharpens iron.

Strategy 3: Understands that there is strength and balance in

the generational diversity

Understanding the Strategy

Education must take place for a common understanding.

For example, recently the Lighthouse Church Junior Armor Bearers put on a skit about hip hop. After showing the negative side of hip hop, they showed the positive, Christian aspect of it.

They defined it in Christian terms.

Strategy 4:Realizes that these intergenerational tensions will require the creation of new terminology to delicately handle any potential discord.

Understanding the Strategy

Many congregations are dwindling in size. Older generations die and Boomers near or are at retirement.

Boomers are still the principal population in many churches, and like Builders, don’t necessarily welcome change. This pushes Gen X and Y out to other churches, leaving an older population.

Did you know that the average membership of churches is under 100? Further, most decline after 40 years (Olson, D., 2008).

Strategy 5:Accepts the fact that a tri-generational strategy is often the way to build a church and bridge diversity.

References

Carroll, J. & Roof, W. (2002). Bridging divided worlds: Generational cultures in congregations. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Mead, M. (1970). Culture and commitment: A study of the generation gap. Garden City, NY: Natural History Press.

Olson, D. (2008). The American church in crisis. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

Paron, J. (2008). Framework for leading in a diverse church. Alsip, IL: All Nations Leadership Institute.

Rah, S. (2010). Many colors: Cultural intelligence for a changing church. Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers.

Whitesel, G. (2010). Church leaders MBA: Organizational behavior, generational differences. Marrion, IN: Indiana Wesleyan University.

Whitesel, B. & Hunter K. (2000). A House Divided. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press.

“It is true that the continuity of all cultures depends on the living presence of at least three generations” (Mead, 1970).

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http://allnationsleadershipinstitute.org708-385-6020Contact Pastor Deb Strlek for information about the theology and urban ministerial leadership program.