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InterGenerate: Transforming Churches through Intergenerational Ministry
Leaders in Christian communities are all asking the same How can we bring the generations back together? InterGenerate addresses important questions of why we should bring the generations back together, but even more significantly, how we can bring generations back together. In this edited collection, ministers, church leaders, and Christian educators will find valuable, new generational theory perspectives, fresh biblical and theological insights, and practical outcomes backed by current research. InterGenerate offers important guidance on topics including - intergenerational spiritual disciplines, - transitioning from multigenerational to intergenerational, - new research that focuses directly on intergenerational ministry and offers practical outcomes to implement, and - benefits of intergenerational ministry for the most marginalized generations. An exciting and distinctive aspect of InterGenerate is the vast diversity of voices men and women ranging in age from millennials to baby boomers, representing multiple countries and over a dozen denominations all seeking ways to become more intentionally intergenerational in their outlook and practice.
- GenresChurch
272 pages, Paperback
Published July 10, 2018
32 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 8, 2019
Excellent book about the value and need for intergenerational relationships in the church. Each chapter is written by a different author which provides tremendous insight from a variety of viewpoints.
The book includes the theory behind the value of intergenerational relationships, research evaluating it, and practical applications of it. There is so much great information packed into this book that even though I highlighted as I read, I need to go back and make notes as I reread it.
I don't think many of us in Western culture realize how many of our intergenerational relationships we have lost over time. Before technology, greater means of transportation, and other "advances," we existed in much tighter, even smaller, communities consisting of those in proximity around us. Over time, the silo approach developed where we began to segregate ourselves into age and grade divisions or groups. While there is value in that some of the time, we sacrificed access to wisdom, understanding, support, etc that people of different ages and generations offered each other.
There are clear biblical instructions and examples of this type of relationship structure. The book details many of the things that can be regained when we begin to reconnect the generations in our churches including the powerful influence that older generations have on our young people and their faith. Could it be that one of the solutions to young people leaving the church and their faith in large numbers be reconnecting them with their elders and mentors?
One of the most fascinating sections of the book broke down the different generations that we currently have and explained characteristics of each one and why they are that way. It also explained that generations begin to cycle back around. For instance, Generation Z is demonstrating similar qualities of The Silent Generation (those born before the 1940s or so). Could that explain why my kids had such a close connection with my mom? They didn't seem to resist her and her ideas, values, etc. as you would expect but actually agreed with and embraced many of them.
There is much to learn from this book. It's not about adding a new program but maybe it's more like going "back to basics" and regaining what we've lost. Every senior minister, youth minister, family minister, children's minister, and others involved in their local congregation should read this book and then have an honest, open discussion, setting aside their biases and preconceived ideas, about what it could mean for them.
The book includes the theory behind the value of intergenerational relationships, research evaluating it, and practical applications of it. There is so much great information packed into this book that even though I highlighted as I read, I need to go back and make notes as I reread it.
I don't think many of us in Western culture realize how many of our intergenerational relationships we have lost over time. Before technology, greater means of transportation, and other "advances," we existed in much tighter, even smaller, communities consisting of those in proximity around us. Over time, the silo approach developed where we began to segregate ourselves into age and grade divisions or groups. While there is value in that some of the time, we sacrificed access to wisdom, understanding, support, etc that people of different ages and generations offered each other.
There are clear biblical instructions and examples of this type of relationship structure. The book details many of the things that can be regained when we begin to reconnect the generations in our churches including the powerful influence that older generations have on our young people and their faith. Could it be that one of the solutions to young people leaving the church and their faith in large numbers be reconnecting them with their elders and mentors?
One of the most fascinating sections of the book broke down the different generations that we currently have and explained characteristics of each one and why they are that way. It also explained that generations begin to cycle back around. For instance, Generation Z is demonstrating similar qualities of The Silent Generation (those born before the 1940s or so). Could that explain why my kids had such a close connection with my mom? They didn't seem to resist her and her ideas, values, etc. as you would expect but actually agreed with and embraced many of them.
There is much to learn from this book. It's not about adding a new program but maybe it's more like going "back to basics" and regaining what we've lost. Every senior minister, youth minister, family minister, children's minister, and others involved in their local congregation should read this book and then have an honest, open discussion, setting aside their biases and preconceived ideas, about what it could mean for them.
April 23, 2019
I chewed my way through this book as part of a weekly discussion in a pastoral staff. The chapters by different authors were not uniformly stimulating but overall it always prompted extended conversation about the topic presented. Along the way there were many practical ideas for implementation that surfaced. Intergenerational church has developed a certain cache of late but this book strikes the right balance - it never understates the challenges of moving forward on this nor the value of doing so.
February 22, 2023
Read this book for an inter generational ministries class. It’s a great resource for anyone in any ministry setting, but especially pastors and church leaders. Jam-packed full of meticulous research and personal stories. Quick, engaging, thought-provoking read.
November 2, 2018
This book took me a while to get through, as there was such a wealth of information to process and think about applying. This book is filled with a variety of perspectives on intergenerational ministry - or simply put, creating church environments where all generations are valued as well as mix together in worship and community. Some of my favourite chapters in this book included "Generational Theory & Faith Communities" by Lynn Barger Elliott, "Intergenerational Communities & a Theology of Accommodation" by Gareth Crispin, and "Five Best Intergenerational Practices for Small Churches" by Tori Bennett Smit.
My only disappointment with this book was that it seemed to skew towards being for churches in a liturgical tradition. Thus, many of the suggestions and practices seemed a little out of touch with my present church setting. Overall, a good read!
My only disappointment with this book was that it seemed to skew towards being for churches in a liturgical tradition. Thus, many of the suggestions and practices seemed a little out of touch with my present church setting. Overall, a good read!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews