Often the idea of intergenerational is to aspire to holding an event with as many generations in the same room as possible. An intergenerational worship celebration or an intergenerational picnic are examples of this. Nothing wrong with that right? Well, maybe …

Just because two or three generations turn up to the one space doesn’t mean they relate well to one another or that there is any intention for generations to connect. Cliques may form. Different program elements cater to different age groups … maybe completely separate programs under the one roof!

Intergen-relational means that the event is designed to encourage and establish as many relationships between people of different ages and stages of faith and life experience … bringing as many appropriate benefits as possible for as many people as possible in the mix.

It’s messy, it’s complex … but it can be done simply given some vision, prayer, thought, and planning. Give it a try.

More specifically, consider the overlap of 3 discipling circles …

• Household faith
• Intergen-relational
• Peer

Some of the links below may be active but hopefully there is enough information shown to encourage further thought or research.

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Growing lifelong, active followers of Jesus in households, with peers and in intergen-relational ways

We begin by reflecting on our learning from the decades regarding the strengths and benefits of household, peer and intergen approaches to discipleship. Then, as we consider 3 overlapping circles (or a solid triangle or 3 cords not easily broken), we will imagine what ministry would look like in the sweet spot of all three. As we listen to home-grown and international voices, we will be led to engage in thoughtful and practical responses as to the why, the how and the what of ministry shaped by this understanding. We will tease out ways to draw on the benefits of a synergy of all three in order for this approach to impact your context.

Exploring how faith forms

Simple ways to understand faith and how faith forms helps everyone in a household understand themselves and others. If we can learn a little about this we begin to see how to challenge ourselves and others without expecting to little or too much.

A collection of ways to grow a personal spirituality

Here are a variety of ideas gleaned from personal experience, conferences, books and peers. Hopefully they will confirm some of the things you are already doing and you can add your stories and ideas to the list. Some might be new ideas you can adapt to your style and context.

How to be Jesus to one another, the community and the world.

There are lots of ways to be church … lot’s of models, traditional and otherwise … lots of theories and understandings. Here’s a model called table1 to consider applying to a small church, a study group, a fellowship or even a large group.

Ideas especially for households with children

As primary care-givers (parents and others) are on the forefront of discipling children, lots of ideas and stories are always a help. Even share your own.

Exploring the big idea of big church

Large, contemporary, seeker friendly churches need constant review and revision in order for them to keep:

• helping followers of Jesus to open and read the Bible for themselves
• making disciples who can make disciples
• helping parents to help grow faith in their own children
• households of faith encouraged and equipped