#acl SusanKaroly:read,write All:read Link to CouncilAgenda20230417 > CouncilMinutes20230417 == What does is a Multigenerational versus an Intergenerational Church? == By Susan Karoly, 15 April 2023 for Church Council. Multigenerational ministry is accidental. Generations coexist within a congregation because of shared geography or family structures, not because of a shared mission or meaningful relationships. Accordingly, multigenerational churches often result in siloed generational segments with only limited interaction. Multi-generational churches can be dangerous for older adult congregants when they fail to address social isolation. Conversely, intergenerational ministry is intentional and interactive. According to Liz Perraud, Executive Director of !GenOn Ministries, intergenerational ministry is rooted in core values of intentionality, relationality, and equality. It is deliberate work to build egalitarian relationships across age groups, with shared identity and calling: ^1^ One of the problems of having worship services designed for specific age groups is that the various age groups fail to interact and acknowledge the needs of the congregation as a whole. Currently we have several worship services at GWUC and as we come out of covid, our community is beginning to hum again with activities and folks coming physically to worship. But not only that, we have been able to maintain members of the congregation and viewers through our streamed and recorded services. Our congregation is alive. So we may ask why do we have to consider if GWUC should be an intergenerational church. The Definition of an intergenerational church from Assembly is to ''"Welcome, equip and hold together the different generations, in the life, ministry, decision making and leadership of the church."'' ^2^ It has been the desire of Church Council through the ministerial team to be able to meet not only the spiritual needs of the congregation, but also to ensure that all who come through our church doors are welcomed as part of our community. This desire is not age segregated. From young babies to those who are too vulnerable through age or health to physically come to church - all are welcomed as part of our community. In this welcoming it is essential that GWUC have programs that reach all ages. While some programs have been designed for a specific age, such as playgroups, leisure time, senior worship services, one has to ask is this really necessary? Playgroups are an opportunity for little ones, mothers, grandparents to come together. Leisure time guests would be delighted if we could open the program to VCAL students who have a learning component to be active in the community. Senior worship services could be advertised as Sunday afternoon worship for all age groups. By keeping the ages separated means that there less interaction between the ages. The seniors do not understand what the young adults are doing. Conversely, the young adults have no idea what seniors do. Recently when we asked the congregation to consider a minister of the word with special interest for the first third of life, are we advertising we are not an intergenerational congregation. But does this matter? Church growth strategies means that our children are the future. An interesting book to reach is ''Reaching people under 40 while keeping people over 60''^3^. For example a question it asks is who do you know in the twenty-something age group? What has shaped them? To this I can honestly answer I do not know someone so therefore do not know what has shaped them. What program is there that brings this generation into my generation or vice versa? A suggestion is rather than measure attendance, we should measure impact. Rather than duplicating human services and ministries, we should partner with existing services and ministries. ^4^ The function of the church is unchanging; it is the Great commission and the Great Commandment. The form of the church in how we meet needs to reflect the needs of our community. The Assembly posed the question<
> "What steps would you take to bring about generational change in the life of a congregation (or more specifically a church council) when you have older people who have faithfully served for decades but don't know how to step back and let go, and younger people who are reluctant to step up and take on leadership responsibility because their lives are so busy?" This is one answer "Your question reminds me of a story I heard from a (then) new minister. He wanted to have a piece of furniture over the other side of the building, so just moved it. Sunday morning it was back again… so he moved it… only to find it back again. In the end, he got the piece of furniture where he wanted it by moving it a few centimetres each week. By the end, people were convinced it had always been in the new space. What has this to do with generational change? I often start by breaking things down into small, achievable portions. Gradually, the old guard are prepared to let go of another and another thing, and the new people have the confidence to try more and more. The biggest trick is to get the balance right so you neither have people pulling back from change nor the new people getting frustrated with the lack of progress." ^5^ GWUC is a vibrant church and frequently has worship where all ages come together such as the 9.15am and 10am worship service. Our church also has all ages come together for special events such as the Annual Fete. Our current worship times appear to be very meaningful for its participants and so one asks do we need to change from being a multigenerational church to an intergenerational church? To be an intergenerational church requires a paradigm shift by leaders who know and believe in the shift. If we want to change then we have to begin where we are, and be intentional and strategic, where over time as we educate the congregation, to include all generations in our worship and activities; but saying that, there will always be a need to balance this with age-specific ministry.^6^ Looking outside GWUC in how to investigate this further can be done through Synod, Intergen^7^, and other congregations within our Presbytery. 1. https://www.seaburyresources.org/single-post/2018/03/06/multigenerational-versus-intergenerational-ministry-whats-the-difference downloaded 15 April 2023 1. https://uniting.church/what-is-an-intergenerational-church/ downloaded 15 April 2023 1. [[https://www.amazon.com.au/Reaching-People-Under-While-Keeping/dp/0827232543/ref=sr_1_1?crid=35E11MM3RDM48&keywords=Reaching+People+under+40+while+keeping+people+over+60&qid=1681559209&s=books&sprefix=reaching+people+under+40+while+keeping+people+over+60%2Cstripbooks%2C226&sr=1-1|Edward H Hammett with James R Pierce. Reaching People under 40 while keeping people over 60. Being church for all Generations. Chalice Press, Missouri 2007, p 68.]] 1. Hammett, p 160. 1. https://uniting.church/what-is-an-intergenerational-church/ downloaded 15 April 2023 1. [[https://www.amazon.com.au/Intergenerational-Christian-Formation-Bringing-Community/dp/083083981X|Holly C Allen and Christine L Ross. Intergenerational Christian Formation. Bring the whole church together in ministry, community and worship. IVP Academic, Illinois. 2012 p185.]] 1. https://intergen.org.au/