Bridging the Generation Gap in Ministry: Multi-generational Church (ANLI)
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Transcript of Bridging the Generation Gap in Ministry: Multi-generational Church (ANLI)
Bridging the Generation Gap in Ministry
From All Nations Leadership Institute
What is a multi-generational church?
A multi-generational church is one where at least three generations exist in harmony, under one leadership head.
What are the attitudes, access and relationships necessary for a multi-generational church?
Attitudes, Access and Relationships
Relationships
Access
Attitudes
Attitudes, Access and Relationships
Attitudes•Values and respects the other•Seeks to serve the other
Access•Has access to the same kinds of ministry• Has opportunity to worship according to their preference
and in unity with the other
Relationships•Cross-generational relationships exist•Older generations disciple the one beneath them•Younger generations teach the ones above them •Each generation learns from the other
What does the Bible say about cross-generational ministry?
Titus 2:4-5 shows an example of discipling through the passing on of Christian values from the older women to younger. The older women established a household code that the younger women taught to their children. This created a continuous learning cycle .
The relationship between Jesus and His disciples, as well as with Paul and Timothy also show generational mentoring.
What the Bible says about cross-generational ministry
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates (Deut. 6:4-9, New International Version).
What the Bible says about cross-generational ministry
What is the biblical basis for a multi-generational church?
Jesus gave us the Great Commission to “therefore go and make disciples of all nations…” (Matt 28:18, New International Version). This is an inclusive statement that encompasses everyone from all generations.
O my people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things, things from of old--what we have heard and known, what our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done (Ps. 78:1-4, New International Version,).
What are the different age spans in a multi-generational church?
There are five generations: Seniors, Builders, Boomers, Generation X and Generation Y.
Generation Ranges (Adapted from Whitesel, B. & Hunter K., 2000)
Seniors & Builders
• (B)1927-45• (S) <1926
Boomers • 1946-1964
Gen X • 1965-1983
Gen Y • 1984-2002
General Preferences:Seniors and Builders
Seniors and Boomers
Seniors(Before 1926)
&
Builders(Born
1927 -45)
Seniors and Boomers
Seniorsand
Builders
CHANGE
Like stability,
constancy, and
minimal change
Seniors and Builders
Seniors and
Builders
CHANGE
Like stability,
constancy, and
minimal change
LEARNING
Prefer lecture format
Seniors and Builders
Seniors and
Builders
CHANGE
Like stability,
constancy, and
minimal change
LEARNING
Prefer lecture format
LEGACY
Build the Western
world into a safe place
Seniors and Builders
Seniors and
Builders
CHANGE
Like stability,
constancy, and
minimal change
LEARNING
Prefer lecture format
LEGACY
Build the Western
world into a safe place
CHURCH
Need to be heard;
Like traditional
hymns and
customs
(Adapted from Whitesel, B. & Hunter K., 2000)
General Preferences:Boomers
Boomers
Boomers(Born
1946-64)
Boomers
Boomers
CHANGE
Like experimentation; Seek
and find more
efficient ways to do
things
Boomers
Boomers
CHANGE
Like experimentation; Seek
and find more
efficient ways to do
things
LEARNING
Prefer participa-
tion format, where
questions are en-
couraged
Boomers
Boomers
CHANGE
Like experimentation; Seek
and find more
efficient ways to do
things
LEARNING
Prefer participa-
tion format, where
questions are en-
couraged
LEGACY
Made the world a better place
through innovation, but not a
safer place
Boomers
Boomers
CHANGE
Like experimentation; Seek
and find more
efficient ways to do
things
LEARNING
Prefer participa-
tion format, where
questions are en-
couraged
LEGACY
Made the world a better place
through innovation, but not a
safer place
CHURCH
Needs of congrega-
tion;Soft rock
w/ choruses &
some media usage
(Adapted from Whitesel, B. & Hunter K., 2000)
General Preferences:Gen X
Gen X
Gen X(Born
1965-83)
Gen X
Gen X
CHANGE
Radical experi-
menting
Combiningincompa-
tible concepts
Gen X
Gen X
CHANGE
Radical experi-
menting
Combiningincompa-
tible concepts
LEARNING
Socratic method;
Questions&
dissent en-couraged
Gen X
Gen X
CHANGE
Radical experi-
menting
Combiningincompa-
tible concepts
LEARNING
Socratic method;
Questions&
dissent en-couraged
LEGACY
Saved the world from
itself(pollution, overpopulation, etc.)
Gen X
Gen X
CHANGE
Radical experi-
menting
Combiningincompa-
tible concepts
LEARNING
Socratic method;
Questions&
dissent en-couraged
LEGACY
Saved the world from
itself(pollution, overpopulation, etc.)
CHURCH
Needs of the
community like
interactive/edgy post-
modern rock
(Adapted from Whitesel, B. & Hunter K., 2000)
General Preferences:Gen Y
Gen Y
Gen Y(Born 1984-
2002)
Gen Y
Gen Y
CHANGE
Embrace electronic
community & com-
munication for better
living
Gen Y
Gen Y
CHANGE
Embrace electronic
community & com-
munication for better
living
LEARNING
Electronichyper
Socratic method;
active confron-tation,
leading to insight-
Gen Y
Gen Y
CHANGE
Embrace electronic
community & com-
munication for better
living
LEARNING
Electronichyper
Socratic method;
active confron-tation,
leading to insight-
LEGACY
Wants to be the
generation that
plugged into
everything
Gen Y
Gen Y
CHANGE
Embrace electronic
community & com-
munication for better
living
LEARNING
Electronichyper
Socratic method;
active confron-tation,
leading to insight-
LEGACY
Wants to be the
generation that
plugged into
everything
CHURCH
Closely connected
to one another;
post modern & edgy; high
media usage
(Adapted from Whitesel, B. & Hunter K., 2000)
What causes conflict between the generations?
COMMUNICATION STYLEStyle differs in preaching, teaching and small group.
SET IN WAYS
Don’t want to pass the baton or respect competency of next generationWORSHIP STYLE PREFERENCE
Congregants have a strong preference for a particular worship style.
TRADITION
People don’t always want to change traditions.
What are the strategies to create a multi-generational church?
• Let’s first review the basic framework for leading in a diverse church.
• There are five indicators, which are perspective, intentionality, adaptability, inclusivity and communication.
• This framework represents the indicators you need to consider in ministry regarding a person’s cultural background.
Considering another’s viewpoint as influenced by cultural background, gender, race, socioeconomic level
Taking intentional steps towards bringing the body of Christ into oneness, our purpose
Adjusting to other people’s ways that are different than ours—Changing the method, not the message
Creating an environment where all are included and have access to reconciliation with God.
Using communication that respects, supports, reaches, and bridges diversity
Perspective
Intentionality
Adaptability
Inclusivity
Communication
PURPOSE
Access to Reconciliation
with God
Agape Love
Framework for Leading in a Diverse Church
Agape LoveAgap
e Lo
ve
Agape Love
From Paron, J. (2008).
Strategies to create a healthy, multi-generational church culture
Strategies for Producing a Healthy, Multi-generational Church Culture
Strategy 1
•Build support for genuine respect of different generational viewpoints
Strategy 2
•Promote acceptance of different traditions and methodologies used by each generation
Strategy 3
•Demonstrate understanding of strengths and balances in the generational diversity of a multi-generational church
Strategy 4
•Create new terminology to delicately handle any potential discord
Strategy 5
•Facilitate acceptance for multi-generational strategies as some of the ways to build a church and bridge diversity
Adapted from Whitesel, B. & Hunter, K. (2000). A House Divided. Strategies to Bridge the Gap. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press.
Understanding the Strategy
You want to create an environment for love. When love prevails, judgment ends, respect follows – (Matt. 22:37-40, KJV).
Part of love is accepting each other: what each feels, how each behaves and why they respond in a certain way.
We need to appreciate “that another culture’s software program may run differently from ours…(Soong-Chan, R., 2010).
Strategy 1: Build support for genuine respect of different generational viewpoints
Strategy 2: Accepts that different traditions & methodologies will be employed by each generation
Understanding the Strategy
Church traditions are a way for people to express their faith.
Churches have many traditions. These traditions can be historic and part of denominational heritage. They can also reflect practices and perspectives adapted from the past.
All these are made in the face of changing social and cultural circumstances.
Understanding the Strategy
A church with one generation, doesn’t have the richness and knowledge as one that is multi generational.
When the diversity of the Body comes together for the purpose of the salvation message it supports the Great Commission
Last, each generation strengthens the other. Iron sharpens iron.
Strategy 3: Understands that there is strength and balance in
the generational diversity
Understanding the Strategy
Education must take place for a common understanding.
For example, recently the Lighthouse Church Junior Armor Bearers put on a skit about hip hop. After showing the negative side of hip hop, they showed the positive, Christian aspect of it.
They defined it in Christian terms.
Strategy 4:Realizes that these intergenerational tensions will require the creation of new terminology to delicately handle any potential discord.
Understanding the Strategy
Many congregations are dwindling in size. Older generations die and Boomers near or are at retirement.
Boomers are still the principal population in many churches, and like Builders, don’t necessarily welcome change. This pushes Gen X and Y out to other churches, leaving an older population.
Did you know that the average membership of churches is under 100? Further, most decline after 40 years (Olson, D., 2008).
Strategy 5:Accepts the fact that a tri-generational strategy is often the way to build a church and bridge diversity.
References
Carroll, J. & Roof, W. (2002). Bridging divided worlds: Generational cultures in congregations. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Mead, M. (1970). Culture and commitment: A study of the generation gap. Garden City, NY: Natural History Press.
Olson, D. (2008). The American church in crisis. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
Paron, J. (2008). Framework for leading in a diverse church. Alsip, IL: All Nations Leadership Institute.
Rah, S. (2010). Many colors: Cultural intelligence for a changing church. Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers.
Whitesel, G. (2010). Church leaders MBA: Organizational behavior, generational differences. Marrion, IN: Indiana Wesleyan University.
Whitesel, B. & Hunter K. (2000). A House Divided. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press.
“It is true that the continuity of all cultures depends on the living presence of at least three generations” (Mead, 1970).
All Nations Leadership Institute4501 West 127th StreetAlsip, IL 60803
http://allnationsleadershipinstitute.org708-385-6020Contact Pastor Deb Strlek for information about the theology and urban ministerial leadership program.