Intergenerational Christian Formation: Bringing the Whole Church Together in Ministry, Community and Worship

Review "As many North American churches find themselves in turmoil due to age-divided congregations, I believe Intergenerational Christian Formation is a must read." -- Russel Doerksen, The Messenger, July 2013"Intergenerational Christian Formation provides church leaders with a solid biblical rationale and a reasoned roadmap for cultivating such a culture of intergenerational life, blessings and community in Christ." -- Tim Pyles, The Christian Chronicle, March 2013"While there is no easy solution to complex challenges faced particularly by ethnic churches, I appreciate the authors' encouragement to find shared Christian values and a shared mission whereby different generations can engage in shared ministry in spaces beyond the sanctuary. This book provides guidance for anyone interested in and committed to intentional intergenerational Christian formation." -- Narola Ao McFayden, Interpretation: A Journal of Bible and Theology, 68(4)"Intergenerational Christian Formation would be a valuable text to use in upper division undergraduate and seminary-level ministry courses. The book's overall tone, practical pointers and insights drawn from congregational field research also make it a great resource for ministry practitioners desiring to explore the theory and practice of intergenerational ministry. This is an important book that deserves to be read widely, one that is sure to have an enduring impact for many years to come." -- Cory Seibel, McMaster Journal for Theology and Ministry, 2013-2014 Product Description "One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts." ?Psalm 145:4 Most churches and faith communities segment their ministries by age and generation. The kids go to children?s church, the teens go to youth group. Worship services are geared toward different generational preferences, and small groups gather people at the same life stage, whether singles, young marrieds, parents, or empty nesters. In some congregations, people may never interact with those of other ages. But it was not always so. Throughout biblical tradition and the majority of history, communities of faith included people of all ages together in corporate worship, education, and ministry. The church was not just multigenerational; it was intergenerational, with the whole church together as one family and people of all ages learning from one another in common life. In this comprehensive text, Holly Allen and Christine Lawton offer a complete framework for intentional intergenerational Christian formation. They provide the theoretical foundations for intergenerationality, showing how learning and spiritual formation are better accomplished through intergenerational contexts. It is not just elders teaching youth; learning also takes place when adults discover fresh insights from children. Then the authors give concrete guidance for intergenerational praxis on how worship, learning, community, and service can all be achieved intergenerationally. Case studies of intergenerational congregations provide models for how a culture of intergenerationality can be created in local churches. This volume serves as an essential guide for all preparing for and involved in congregational ministry and formation. Discover the riches of intergenerational ministry, and let all generations commend the works of God to one another. Review "'The concept of "intergenerational issues" is often spoken of as a deviation from "normal," a concept and words of the wrong worldview. From [God's] point of view we must see "generational streaming" as the deviation from "normal"!' Thus one Christian leader astutely commented to me during my research on intergenerational processes in Christian faith communities. That was some years ago, but the validity of the insight--like the Scriptures from which the leader drew that perspective--is enduring. So it is most encouraging to read Holly Allen and Christine Ross's new take on this focus in the