Liz Perraud
Executive Director
GenOn Ministries
I have little experience with home building or remodeling, but as one who assisted my mother in hanging wallpaper many times, I do understand how a plumb line works. Those who hang pictures or wallpaper or build things use a plumb line to keep their work straight. When the cord is held in such a way that the weight can dangle freely, the plumb line ensures a structure or object is centered. This simple tool is a checkpoint for evaluating a good direction and making corrections.
In the Bible, a plumb line was used symbolically as standards by which God not only tests and judges but also as standards by which God’s people would need to live (see Amos 7).
It is helpful to have tools to evaluate the direction and corrections for intentional, intergenerational, Christ-centered community, too. We can help with that!
Most churches are multigenerational. With intentionality, any church can become intergenerational. The intergenerational church thrives with an emphasis on relationships, moving beyond the goal of just everyone in the same room at the same time.
What is intergenerational ministry? GenOn Ministries defines it as the nurturing of Christ-centered community by bringing together two or more generations in planned and purposeful settings, where all are mutually invested.
We recommend a simple and foundational six-step path for becoming intentionally intergenerational. A series of articles will explore each step. We began with Discover and now move to Evaluate.
Step 2: Evaluate to become more intergenerational. Note the word “more.” We assume that there are aspects of your congregational life that already are intergenerational (beyond multigenerational). You’ve tasted the fruit of those benefits and now want to go wider and deeper.
The Evaluate step is the time to use GenOn’s Intergenerational Ministry Snapshot. First, with guided questions for your small team of “thinkers” and “doers” you’ll discuss how purposeful you are in seeking to be more intergenerational (the “why”). And then, you’ll explore how practical you currently are in four ministry areas—worship, study, service, and fellowship. You’ll also identify where you have the potential to include more generations (the “how”).
You will be introduced to Snapshot during our online Intergenerational Pathways Workshop with a chance to try out Snapshot with a GenOn Guide. We offer this workshop throughout the year, or you can request it for your congregation on a date and time that works best for you.
It helps to continue to share with your congregation as you discover and evaluate and to wrap your journey in prayer for God’s further guidance and direction.
Ready to start on this fruitful and intentional six-step path? How can we best help you? Fill out our Intergenerational Ministry Interest Form or email us at info@genonministries.org and we’ll be in touch.
Other stories in IG Mix - April 2023
60 Years of Nurturing Intergenerational Relationships in Churches
Two Questions: Chris Barnett