Why I Appreciate Trinity Reason 4: Young and Old (5/13)
Old - Young
“Intergenerational ministry occurs when a congregation intentionally combines the generations together in mutual serving, sharing, or learning within the core activities of the church in order to live out being the body of Christ to each other and the greater community” (Ross, 2006).
The church’s primal story starting at Pentecost had promises connected to the generations. The Spirit would be poured out on “all flesh” including “sons and daughters” and “young” and “old” (Acts 2.17).
I LOVE that we live into this dynamic at Trinity. The benefits outnumber the challenges. Challenges include different styles of communication and different preferences in volume and genre of music. D. McGavran followed by C.P. Wagner studied and wrote about the Homogeneous Unit Principle (HUP) as a help in growing the church more quickly. Maybe Trinity would grow quicker if we applied the HUP, but I can’t imagine how impoverished we would be if we didn’t all worship together. What would it be like if the youth band never served the 8:30 AM crowd? What would it be like if we didn’t have Bella join her daddy at the lectern yesterday and finish the readings with a enthusiastic “This is the WORD of the Lord!” Everybody’s “Thanks be to God” was more profound than had her able dad had done it all! What would the baby shower have been if Maria was surrounded with women all her age? But there were women in every chapter surrounding her, loving her, encouraging her.
Sometimes we can't agree on music, but our youth beg to do the A Mighty Fortress above, and our older folks have whispered how much they love Anastasis down below.
No, I see a church where the young are valued and the elders are honored. Neither is idolized. One energizes the other. The other encourages. I wouldn’t change a thing. I love you, Trinity.
Ross, C. M. A Qualitative study exploring Churches Committed to intergenerational Ministry.
Ann Arbor, Michigan: Proquest Information and Learning Company, 2006.
“Intergenerational ministry occurs when a congregation intentionally combines the generations together in mutual serving, sharing, or learning within the core activities of the church in order to live out being the body of Christ to each other and the greater community” (Ross, 2006).
The church’s primal story starting at Pentecost had promises connected to the generations. The Spirit would be poured out on “all flesh” including “sons and daughters” and “young” and “old” (Acts 2.17).
I LOVE that we live into this dynamic at Trinity. The benefits outnumber the challenges. Challenges include different styles of communication and different preferences in volume and genre of music. D. McGavran followed by C.P. Wagner studied and wrote about the Homogeneous Unit Principle (HUP) as a help in growing the church more quickly. Maybe Trinity would grow quicker if we applied the HUP, but I can’t imagine how impoverished we would be if we didn’t all worship together. What would it be like if the youth band never served the 8:30 AM crowd? What would it be like if we didn’t have Bella join her daddy at the lectern yesterday and finish the readings with a enthusiastic “This is the WORD of the Lord!” Everybody’s “Thanks be to God” was more profound than had her able dad had done it all! What would the baby shower have been if Maria was surrounded with women all her age? But there were women in every chapter surrounding her, loving her, encouraging her.
Sometimes we can't agree on music, but our youth beg to do the A Mighty Fortress above, and our older folks have whispered how much they love Anastasis down below.
No, I see a church where the young are valued and the elders are honored. Neither is idolized. One energizes the other. The other encourages. I wouldn’t change a thing. I love you, Trinity.
Ross, C. M. A Qualitative study exploring Churches Committed to intergenerational Ministry.
Ann Arbor, Michigan: Proquest Information and Learning Company, 2006.
Comments