A Gospel for All Ages: Teaching and Preaching with the Whole Church

by David M Csinos, Hyeran Kim-Cragg (Foreword)

A Gospel for All Ages lives at the intersection of two conversations--preaching and intergenerational ministry. By integrating these two topics, an entirely new conversation emerges, one that draws from both, that interrogates both, and that births something new in the process, creating fresh possibilities for a sleepy church.

The fields of preaching and intergenerational ministry rarely cross paths because they are championed by two different sorts of ministerial leaders. On the one hand, preaching and homiletics has largely been a field for teaching pastors, senior ministers, and other pastoral practitioners who are tasked with the important work of proclaiming the gospel to congregations of adults every week. On the other hand, the cheerleaders of intergenerational ministry have tended to be ministry leaders who find their primary vocation within the formation of adolescents and children. Increasing numbers of Christian educators and leaders who work in children's and youth ministry are lifting high the banner of intergenerational ministry.

Wherever your tent is planted in one camp or the other, this book is for you. If God has called you to the work of preaching, you find within these pages wise words and best practices for improving and expanding your homiletical practice in light of the eight-year-olds and eighty-year-olds who share a pew on Sunday mornings. If your vocation is Christian education or intergenerational ministry, these chapters will spur you toward that final frontier of all-age worship as you consider how your vocation can include the preaching of the gospel to young and old alike.

Six creative ministry professionals join author David M. Csinos in providing intergenerational best-practice resources. Each chapter includes discussion questions and exercises for future practice

226 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 3, 2022

Reviews

[Laura Burns · Rating 4 out of 5]

A perfect blend of academic and practitioner stories. Everyone will find nuggets they resonate and be drawn into the invitation to broaden the definition and experience of preaching.

I loved the three questions at the beginning:
What *engagement* do you want people to have?
What *encounter* do you want people to have?
What type of *relationships* do you want to foster?

[Sarah Snyder · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a helpful resource that I appreciate. There are some slight theological differences between the author, contributors and myself. I don’t align with everything mentioned in the book, but they were not major points of contention for me. The overall focus of intergenerational preaching and ministry is very good. There are several ideas on how intergenerational preaching and engagement can look in a congregation. I appreciate the stories and experiences of the contributors who are actually living this out in their churches.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first half was boring. The second half had a few interesting practical ideas.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

lots of good ideas and food for thought. some of it too "out-there" for many of us, but there are many "small steps" to take to make preaching more participatory and inclusive of all ages.

[Kathryn McGregor · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 - The chapters written by preachers who shared their processes were the most beneficial parts of this book.