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

Allen, Holly Catterton; Lawton, Christine

Softcover

ISBN 10: 083083981X ISBN 13: 9780830839810

Publisher: IVP Academic, 2012

Synopsis

"One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts." ―Psalm 145:4Most 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.

About this title

About the Authors

Holly Catterton Allen (PhD, Talbot) served as professor of Christian ministries and family science at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee. She was the founding director of InterGenerate, an international biennial conference for those who are passionate about intergenerational ministry. She is the author of Forming Resilient Children.

Christine Lawton (PhD, St. Louis University) is a lifelong Christian educator who has served as youth and family minister in various churches, teacher in Christian schools, and professor/director of the Christian education program at Concordia University Irvine. She is the author of several Bible studies and Sunday school curriculum resources. She lives in Washington State.

Edition details

• Publisher: IVP Academic
• Publication date: 2012
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 083083981X
• ISBN 13: 9780830839810
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 330