Question: Multi-generational ministry

What do you think is good about churches that focus on reaching a specific age group? What do you think some of the disadvantages are? Would you rather be part of a multi-generational interactive community or a community of peers? (Assuming both are in the context of Christian fellowship.)

Comments

Anonymous said…
this is definately a question that plagues me - being in ministry to college students and young adults.

It is good b/c you have a peer group and shared experiences to draw from.

But you miss out on the ways that different experiences can impact group dynamics - especially with bible studies and such.

In the one, you create peer friends, in the other, you create intergeneration families.

I personally prefer multi-generational groups... they feed me more, and I am free to relate with lots of people on many different levels.
4:42 PM
ks said…
You'll probably always be better friends with people who are your age and in the same position in life, but the idea behind multi-generational is that there will actually be people your age in that group as well. So you can relate with the other generations and still go out to dinner with people your own age.
9:58 AM
Anonymous said…
Without being prescriptive (I enjoy both types of ministry), my observation has been that generational ministries tend to particularly benefit those who are seeking or who are new to their faith. Being in a group of peers provides them with a comfortable environment in which to be themselves and ask the questions that are truly meaningful to them. In a multi-generational setting, an individual has more social psychology to process and respond to, which may drown out the wisdom that is being communicated.

On the other hand, multigenerational ministry seems to particularly benefit those who are more established Christians. I am speaking in generalities, of course, but I believe this is the case because these Christians have reached the point where it is no longer "about them." They have realized that they do not have all of the answers and they pay attention to the experiences and wisdom of others--not only for their own edification, but also so that they may be able to refer those whom they are not able to assist directly.

In sum, then, generational ministries are good for those who are still "takers" in their spiritual journey, whereas multigenerational ministries benefit those whose spiritual maturity has taught them to look and live beyond themselves. The latter are indispensible as leaders in generational ministries, but they are likely to be "fed" in a multigenerational setting.
9:44 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Palm Sunday School Lesson for Teenagers

Scripture: Luke 22:17-20 Topic: When Jesus ate with his Disciples Background: This lesson would be taught during a Sunday morning breakfast club for teenagers. Once a month the youth meet to cook breakfast and then we try to relate the lesson to food. Last time the Middle School breakfast club met a middle school student led his peers in a devotional that went through the various stories of Jesus sharing food with his disciples. This Sunday we are going to focus on one of those stories and how it relates to Easter. Opening: 1. Ask, “Have you ever helped plan a party?” a. Ask the students to share about the various things they did to prepare (send invites, decorate, blow up balloons, set the table, plan games, order food). 2. Say, “For some families, Easter is a time of celebration, a party of sorts.” a. Ask, “What does your family do to celebrate Easter?” (family gets together, we eat dinner together, Easter egg hunt, attend church se
Read more

They touched Jesus, but then, how did they pray?

I'm sitting in my room praying and thinking, "After the resurrection did the disciples pray to Jesus?" Just imagine this with me for a moment. You have spent the past 2 - 3 years of your life following this intriguing man around, your feet are calloused, your memory is overflowing with moments around the campfire or dinner table, and you've been challenged to completely shift your Jewish worldview. And then he is gone. Just as quick as he came, just as brief as the moment he walked the shoreline past your fishing boat and called out to you, he is gone. And you are left knowing you've met an incredible man who was more than a man -- a man who was somehow divine. Now there is no one around you analyzing deep fulfilled Christological theological concepts, but there are plenty of Greek voices and new philosophical ways of contemplating life's happenings, there are Jewish commentaries, and there are the conversations that have happened along the roadside. An
Read more