The call to INTERGENERATIONAL ministry – preaching, teaching, worship, justice, and mission – is at its core, theological in nature and meaning-making in purpose. What we believe about the Church, and God’s vision for it, shapes the ways we manifest the body of Christ within and beyond the congregation’s walls. If we profess the Church to be the provisional demonstration of God’s continuing engagement in the world until Christ comes again, then the Church must reflect all those whom God includes, welcomes, and values. An INTENTIONALLY INTERGENERATIONAL church does just that – reveals God’s aspirational imagining of what it is to be Christ’s community of believers. When we deliberately bring all ages together for communal service, study, fellowship, and advocacy, when we expect to hear wisdom from the youngest to the oldest, when we consciously craft our preaching, teaching, and worship so that the experiences and voices of all generations are honored and respected – we move beyond static or hollow representation and into the meaning-making purpose of intergenerational ministry as it fosters belonging.
As God’s people, we belong. We are not merely members of the church or a congregation, rather we belong … we belong to God … to one another … to the body of Christ. Belonging grounds us, shapes our identity, and knits us into the fabric of God’s kin-dom. We become an integral part of Christ’s continuing ministry and God’s active presence. In a world that is awash with disconnection, myopic individualism, and fractured community, God’s vision for the faith community beckons us to what is possible when we are rooted in the steadfast belief that we belong to God. This belonging, Willie James Jennings offers, restores and strengthens our inseparable connection with God and one another[1] that transcends the human constructs that divide us. All are welcome, all are included, all are valued. An INTERGENERATIONAL church cultivates meaning-making ministries through INTENTIONAL PREACHING, TEACHING, and WORSHIP that reflects Christ’s commitment to radical and inclusive hospitality so that people of all ages may find their belonging and purpose in God’s ongoing presence and work in the world.
[1] Willie James Jennings, After Whiteness: An Education in Belonging
Details
DAY ONE Explore the FOUNDATIONS through Bible Study and Panel Discussions with UPSem Faculty Build understanding of the FRAMEWORKS for integrating intergenerational approaches into ministry led by leaders in the field
DAY TWO Move from theory to practice as you FOCUS in Preaching, Teaching, or Worship/Liturgy with concentrated time to incorporate strategies and methods into these aspects of ministry and receive coaching from the focus leader.
Registration
In-Person* $100.00
Online $75.00
Students $50.00
*Teams of participants from the same congregation receive a discounted rate