• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Building Faith

Building Faith

A Ministry of Virginia Theological Seminary

  • HOME
  • ABOUT US
    • Who We Are
    • Our Writers
    • FAQs
    • Contact Us
    • Subscribe
  • ARTICLES
    • ARTICLES BY TOPIC
    • MOST RECENT ARTICLES
  • EN ESPAÑOL
  • WEBINARS
  • RESOURCES
    • Episcopal Teacher
    • Choosing Curriculum
    • Vacation Bible School
    • Signs of Life
    • Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of John
    • 5 Marks of Love
    • Growing a Rule of Life
    • It’s Time To…
    • #AdventWord
  • SUPPORT US
  • Show Search
Hide Search
Home/Intergenerational/Being the Body Together: Intergenerational Ministry

Being the Body Together: Intergenerational Ministry

“We naturally gravitate toward people most like us which usually means those of a similar age.  The church has long been a bastion of age-segregated programming and activities.”

Thinking Intergenerational

A sure sign that a church is committed to intergenerational ministry is a stepping stool behind the pulpit. It’s what I saw recently when visiting a church in Winchester, Virginia.  The stepping stool was needed for the children leading various parts of worship.  It was the only way they could be seen over the pulpit and reach the microphone to be heard.  Another memorable image was the pairing of older adults with children to collect the offering.  They helped one another – and were serving together.  When the line blurs between “too old” and “too young” then we know we’ve reached the point of age not mattering.  God didn’t think Abraham too old nor Samuel too young. The church functions best as the Body of Christ when we are the body TOGETHER.

Perhaps that’s easier said than done.  We naturally gravitate toward people most like us which usually means those of a similar age.  The church has long been a bastion of age-segregated programming and activities. We have “youth mission trips” and the “adult choir” or Bible studies for adult women during the week and for youth or children only on Sunday morning. The activities for the “men of the church” usually don’t include the “boys” unless it’s a father-son program. And often worship is touted as open and affirming to “all” but we excuse the children to go do something else while the adults worship.

Rethinking Church Programs

It usually takes an intentional plan to incorporate all ages in whatever we do — which also takes more effort. Sometimes however it’s as simple as asking, “How can we do it differently so that all ages are together?” Maybe it means starting with the activities for children and youth and looking for ways to include more adults.  It also means considering how we can include younger people in aspects of the church that are more traditionally for older folks.

Everyone benefits from this “coming together” . . . we all stretch beyond our comfort zones and learn from those older and younger with different perspectives and interests.

Featured image is artwork from Synthia Saint James.

Print PDF

December 22, 2010 By Liz Perraud (she/her/hers)

Filed Under: Intergenerational Tagged With: adults, children's ministry, family ministry, intergenerational, worship, youth ministry

About Liz Perraud (she/her/hers)

Liz Perraud serves as Executive Director of GenOn Ministries, a nonprofit organization that partners with churches to nurture intergenerational Christ-centered community. She is a contributor to “InterGenerate” (“The Art of Christian Relationships” chapter) and “Engage All Generations” (“Intergenerational Community Around the Table” chapter).

Primary Sidebar

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • RSS

Subscribe to Building Faith

You’ll get new articles, plus free weekly updates in your inbox.

We respect your privacy. View our privacy policy here.

Search our site

Search by Topic

New Articles

Youth with graduation caps in front of balloons.

Celebrating Graduates: An Act of Holy Hospitality

Holy hospitality is something Jesus demonstrates time and again in our ancient text, and we have …

Continue Reading about Celebrating Graduates: An Act of Holy Hospitality

El Día de las Madres y la liturgia

Desde tiempos inmemoriales los seres humanos hemos celebrado la memoria de los acontecimientos …

Continue Reading about El Día de las Madres y la liturgia

Cómo rezar y hacer un Rosario Anglicano

¿Qué es el Rosario, por qué anglicano, cómo rezarlo, cómo fabricarse uno, cuales oraciones se pueden …

Continue Reading about Cómo rezar y hacer un Rosario Anglicano

Footer

Keep In Touch

  • Email
  • Facebook

Upcoming Webinars

Eventbrite Registration

Building Faith

Lifelong Learning, Virginia Theological Seminary
3737 Seminary Rd.
Alexandria, VA 22304

Copyright © 2022 · Building Faith · A Ministry of Virginia Theological Seminary

Design by Blue+Pine Creative, Inc.

Subscribe to Building Faith

Get Articles and Resources by Email

Privacy Policy