Intergenerational Church

We live in a multi-generational part of town but we also live during a time when mono-generational churches are the trend. Our desire as a church is to be inter-generational. Peter Mencioni makes a great point in saying you can be a multigenerational church and still not have people from various generations growing together. Intergenerational implies they are mixing together in a synergistic, life-giving way that promotes spiritual formation.

The advantages of being inter-generational are:

• The older generations can mentor the younger generations.
• The younger generations can keep the church from becoming irrelevant.
• The effort involved in keeping generations unified leads to spiritual growth and character development.
• A generationally unified church witnesses to the power of the gospel in the surrounding community.

What does it take?

• The willingness to give and take regarding worship styles. Currently it will require a mix of worship rock, old school hymns and maybe a few contemporary worship songs to create worship unity.
• Preaching that is relevant to people in different stages of life and faith.
• The intentional mixing of generations in various environments.
• Having leadership teams with representatives from various generations.

What are the challenges?

• As always – sin. As people we naturally gravitate towards what we want rather than what is best for all.
• The humility needed to learn from one another.
• A lack of solid models to follow.
• The enemy who always seeks to undermine any God honoring expression of unity in the Church.

An intergenerational church is worth the effort. At Restoration Community Church in Denver we plan to give it our best efforts. We believe this is what God is leading us towards. Pray for us!