What is intergenerational ministry, and why and what do I need to know about it? As stated by Dr. Peter Menconi, “America and American churches are experiencing a quiet but profound transformation. For the first time in human history five (with the ongoing addition of a sixth) generations are living side by side. How these generations relate to each other over the next years and decades will determine the course of America and American churches.”

What this means in layman’s terms is that never before has relationship been a more important part of how a church functions. In terms of our FIERCE Christian living this is a valid component we need to evaluate. It’s not just about relationship, it’s about connection. It’s about understanding. It’s about crossing borders. It’s about being truly engaged as Jesus was…this is largely about engaged grace. It’s about mentors and mentees, about a student and a teacher. The older generation mentors the younger generation, and the younger generation mentors the older generation. They share. They exchange information. They connect.

An example of the intergenerational challenge, I offer this story.  I was attending a church where there was a very divisive feel of us and them. The us were the contemporary worshippers. The them were the traditional worshipers. The services were not only held at different times, but in different buildings.

But, one day, the best thing I experienced in worship was when the leaders of the church had a Sunday of “combined” services. The contemporaries were exposed to an added component of traditionalism to the worship service, and the traditionalists were exposed to an added component of contemporary style worship.

This may not seem like a big deal, but it was huge! I don’t know if you have ever seen people that are extremely uncomfortable with clapping in church, let alone any charismatic tendencies like raising hands or dancing or swaying to music. On the other hand, some of the younger generations that attended the contemporary service were altogether new to faith and some had never experienced any components of traditional church. To them, community prayer of the “Our Father” may have seemed ritualistic with a tone of obligatory worship.

But, the day was a huge success! There was a renewed sense of togetherness, understanding and dare I say “grace” from one generation to the next. There was an unexplainable warm and fuzzy in that intergenerational service. It was beautiful. That connection and togetherness is an example of what Dr. Menconi is referring to as an intergenerational ministry.

So, to encapsulate Dr. Menconi’s term, an “intergenerational ministry” focus is the only way of effectively “churching” today. But what does that mean and what does it look like?

In answer to these questions, below is an article provided by Dr. Peter Menconi. But let me first give you some details on our featured author. He was born and raised in Chicago, Pete graduated from the University of Illinois College of Dentistry and practiced dentistry for 22 years in private practice, in the U.S. Army and in a mission hospital in Kenya, East Africa. In addition, Pete has a M.S. in Counseling Psychology and 1 ½ years of seminary training. He has been a commodity futures floor trader, a speaker with the American Dental Association and a broker of medical and dental practices. He has co-written a 9-book Bible study series and several other books and articles. He is also the author of The Intergenerational Church: Understanding Congregations from WWII to www.com.

The Intergenerational Challenge By Dr. Peter Menconi

If everyone in the church effortlessly found their place and did their part to make church ministry successful, a pastor’s job would be a lot easier. But that is not the way it works. Church ministry is, in fact, a messy endeavor that can be one of the most challenging anyone can undertake. Unlike business in which paychecks can be leveraged to get the desired responses and behaviors, the church is predominantly a volunteer organization with different motives and motivations. The primary motivation to be involved in church ministry should come from one's desire to follow Jesus Christ. Scripture repeatedly reminds us that the church is the body of Christ with Jesus as the head. And the local church is just one small part of a much bigger whole and reality: the kingdom of God. Without a kingdom perspective a local church runs the risk of becoming a mutual admiration society.

Simply put, the church is not about us—not the pastor, not you, not the congregation, not the denomination. The major role of church leaders is to help members of the congregation take the next step in their journey with Jesus, perhaps one of the first for a new follower or one of the last for those who have followed Christ for many years. Helping congregation members find their calling is a key role for church leadership. Just as the apostle Paul urged Timothy “to fan into flame the gift of God” that he had been given, so pastors and church leaders are to fan the flame that God has put in the hearts of each of his children. The challenges of an intergenerational church will be met only when church leaders learn how to advance people along their ever-maturing journey with Jesus. Additionally, leadership will need to pass this ministry skill on to others within the congregation as the body builds the body.

The challenges of the intergenerational church are also best met when we understand the unique needs of each generation and think creatively on how these needs can be met. When we address needs within a congregation, we not only are dealing with what people will receive, but we also are addressing what people need in order to serve and give. Most people in our local churches want their lives to count for something and leaders need to be able to make this happen.

This matrix will summarize some of the major differences between the five generations in the church today.  Pastors, church leaders and attendees can use it as a tool to begin the process of becoming a truly intergenerational church.

The article written by Dr. Menconi was excerpted from his book The Intergenerational Church: Understanding Congregations from WWII to www.com by Peter Menconi.) Available at Amazon.com

As a summary to his book and article, Dr. Menconi identifies the five generations as these: GI Generation (1906-24), Silent Generation (1925-43), Boomer Generation (1944-62), Generation X (1963-81), and the Millennial Generation (1982-2000).  He provides useful analysis, insight and charts to explore this FIERCE topic.  One of his main matrixes compares the five generations and “how” they each do different components of their faith walk.  These components include; worship style, view of God, work ethic, relationships, community, values, and leadership style, and others.

A FIERCE topic- you bet! I hope this article brings awareness of a topic that many have yet to discover. If you haven’t grounded yourself in this concept of an intergenerational church, I highly recommend that you read his book, available on Amazon.com. It is a great tool for layman and clergy alike. Be blessed and be fierce in expanding the concepts of your faith walk!