Intergenerational is hard work! But, worth it!

Over the last seven years I have been working hard at figuring out how to do intergenerational ministry in the church well.  My first year was  really rugged, but I’m so thankful now I did not give up when things got hard. The process of shifting the church is complex yet simple.  Spiritual practices can scare people for a few different reasons so there will be moments of feeling like you are walking uphill or that people are resistant to entering into the process.  I do believe that there are three main reasons that make things difficult for people to jump right in.

1. They have to enter into the process.  Unlike the more passive way of learning in a service where people simply listening to a sermon.
2. People are sometimes afraid that this is a “new age” thing.
3. Sometimes both teenagers and later adults assume they will not enjoy interacting with each other. 

In my process I have learned that there are different ways to help people see the worth in doing spiritual practices as a community.  In the past seven years we have done spiritual practices in several different places and spaces as a community.  Board meetings, at retreats, in worship, during mission trips, in youth group, at staff meetings, in Bible study, training sessions with leaders, and in many other ways I’m forgetting I’m sure.  The more we did them together in meaningful ways showing people the worth of meeting with God the more people wanted to enter into what God was doing.  When I lead a spiritual practice and encourage people to share what God was teaching them I was amazed how God would give people the perfect words or images that they needed in their lives.  To me it feels like God writes a sermon for people right before our vary eyes!  

The “new age” issue I try to face head on with teaching people how they can run a test on what they have heard from God or others to see if it is from God or not.  It’s a set of five questions:

1. Does it honor God?
2. Is it Biblical?
3. Do other believers confirm it?
4. Does it produce good fruit?
5. Does God make it happen?

Almost every time I give people these questions they are able to let go of worrying of something not being from God.  This also gives them the power to not be swayed by their own thoughts or other ideas that might not be from God.  

So the last issue of teens and adults mixing their lives together really just takes time, and genuine relationship.  There are “program” ideas like mentoring programs, and specific events that you can do, but simply getting adults and youth to do life and ministry together is what brings appreciation for one another.  Trips are huge and helpful, but another simple way is to help ALL ages participate in the service so that they get to hear each others hearts for God.