Why Intergenerational?

An intergenerational community is one where all ages are working together towards a common goal–sharing and growing in their faith. While we create space for children and young people to belong and identify, we ensure they are embedded in a welcoming, loving and accepting wider church family. Forming relationships with children is the responsibility of all members of the church – not just their parents or those who are involved in children’s ministry.

"We need to provide intergenerational communities where children can take risks, grow in their faith, and connect with adults who will love, mentor and inspire them. Frequent and regular cross-generational opportunities for worship, learning, outreach, service and fellowship offer distinctive spiritual benefits and blessings.”
- IVY BECKWITH

Intergenerational Communities online training!

We have partnered with Discipleship Pathway to produce a series of videos that make up a Intergenrational Communities class. These videos are free to watch, and are a great springboard to thinking about Intergenernational ministry in your context. 

Growing up in an intergenerational faith community is the best way for us to form faith, as we journey alongside other ages and generations in discovering who Jesus is. As we create space for children and young people to authentically belong in our faith communities, we ensure they are wrapped up in a welcoming, loving and accepting church whānau, who provide opportunities for all generations to worship, serve and seek God together.

Modules in this class

1. Why Bring Generations Together?
2. How Did We Get Here?
3. The Theology of Accommodation
4. Intergenerational Opportunities
5. It's Who You Know
6. Intergenerational Worship

Enrol and view the course!

New to intergenerational ministry? 

A collaborative project from some children's ministry leaders in New Zealand, to help churches in their intergenerational journey. Download here

Resources to get started

​Here is one video and two books we'd recommend you start with:

Books

InterGenerate is a collection of chapters from a wide range of authors, covering topics such as:

• ​From Multigenerational to Intergenerational
• Intergenerational Communities and a Theology of Accommodation

Available here

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Intergenerational Christian Formation is the 'go to' book of all things intergen. Don't be put off by the weight of this book, it's an easy and enjoyable read, and lays the foundation for why the church should seek to bring the generations together for worship, service and life. This second edition has been edited and refreshed. Available to purchase here

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Video talk

NEW Intergenerational Conversations Podcast for church leaders

A series of conversations around the topics of intergenerational ministry, with a range of ecumenical leaders from churches and organisations in New Zealand.

Are you a church leader looking for ways to strengthen discipleship across the generations? This podcast will inspire you with ways to grow meaningful intergenerational relationships where faith can flourish. Join us around the table as experienced leaders from different denominations and contexts in Aotearoa New Zealand tell stories, share experiences and open possibilities. Together, they are the Intergenerational Collective New Zealand. 

Listen
Spotify
Apple Podcasts

Watch

We have a selection of videos and resources on our YouTube Channel​

• Dr Holly Allen, author and scholar, shares a talk on Intergenerational Ministry
• A video on 'Congregation about Intergenerational Ministry' from the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa, NZ
• Our friend Jill Kayser, from Kids Friendly (Presbyterian Church of New Zealand) shared a talk at Kidsreach Sydney on 'Moving your church - embedding an intergenerational culture in your church'
  Listen to the talk here

Read

If you're interested in all things 'Intergenerational' then take a look at some of our favourite books and resources.

Articles and good reads

• Youth worker shares key ingredients for intergenerational church (Church of Scotland)
• Intergenerational Services (Still Waters)
• Towards an Intergenerational Messy Church article (Messy Church)
• Faith Formation Learning Exchange (Lifelong Faith)
• Intergenerational Ministry (Effective Ministry) 
• The Importance of Generational Connections Faith Full Generation
• Intergenerational Ministry Beyond the Rhetoric (Fuller Youth Institute)
• Doing Intergenerational Versus Being Intergenerational (CRCNA)
• Shifting Core Values (Effective Ministry)
• Age-specific or intergenerational ministries? (Amy Hanson)
• Mess with us (Crosslight)
• Vibrant Worship for All Ages (Buildfaith.org)
• Journal of Intergenerational Relationships

How intergenerational is your church?

We put together a bit of an audit for you to check how intergenerational your ministries are. Rate each ministry (such as children's groups, youth group, seniors teas) from 1-5, and give yourself a total score to evaluate each group. You might be surprised which ministries are naturally 'intergenerational' and which ones you might need to invest in. 

​You can download it here