Intergenerational Faith Formation

For intergenerational ministry settings, worship and faith formation are often intertwined. In many churches, worship is the most likely setting for intergenerational interaction, yet there are many settings in which children, youth and adults can grow in faith together. Every congregation will find the practices and settings that work best for its unique context.

On September 14, 2021, Shana Peachey Boshart, Mennonite Church USA denominational minister for Faith Formation, hosted a roundtable conversation on intergenerational ministry.

Three pastors shared from their experiences:

• Lora Nafziger, pastor of Christian Formation from Assembly Mennonite Church, Goshen, Indiana
• Melissa Spolar, minister of Children & Youth, Pasadena (California) Mennonite Church
• Zachary Martinez, pastor, Sojourn Mennonite Church, Greeley and Fort Collins, Colorado

Here is the recording of their input, which kicked off the Roundtable conversation. They addressed these questions:

• Why are you enthusiastic about intergenerational ministry?
• How have people welcomed or resisted this concept?
• What resources have you found to support your efforts?

Resources for curriculum and training:

Current from Shine

Current provides worship resources, plans for intergenerational sessions and plans for age group sessions. Perfect for the summer months, or use any time of year.

GenOn Ministries

Offers training, curriculum, thought leadership and podcasts on intergenerational worship and faith formation.

MessyChurch

A model of church that is intentionally intergenerational. A church can adopt the Messy Church model of intergenerational worship or just use the resources and ideas in certain times and settings.

Lifelong Faith

WDC Resource Library

The Western District Conference Resource Library has resources for intergenerational activities. Individuals and congregations outside WDC may use the library for a modest fee.

Here is a list of additional resources generated by the roundtable conversation:

• Melissa Spolar and Moriah Hurst recommended “Growing Young: Six Essential Strategies to Help Young People Discover and Love Your Church” by Kara Powell, Jake Mulder and Brad Griffin.
• Lora Nafziger recommended “The Hopeful Family: Raising Resilient Children in Uncertain Times” by Amanda Richardson Dress.
• Joyce Peachey Lind recommended “Holy Work with Children” by Tanya Marie Eustace.
• Zach Martinez’s congregation is reading and discussing “Bridging Theory and Practice in Children’s Spirituality” by Mimi Larson and Robert Keeley.
• Godly Play, a curriculum of spiritual practice exploring the mystery of God’s presence in our lives
• “Pause: Play, Breathe, Pray,” an interactive, devotional card deck that works well in intergenerational settings.

See Carrie Mast’s Menno Snapshots blog on intergenerational ministry, here, published just before the Roundtable.

A charge for pastors and lay leaders:

Sisters and Brothers,
The Lord has done great things for us;
With power and deeds of wonder Our God has saved us!
The God we have heard and known,
The faith our forebears have taught us—
We will share with the next generation;
We will tell them the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord!
Adapted from Psalm 78:3-4