Liz Perraud
Executive Director
GenOn Ministries
I heard an old spiritual on the radio the other day…
You got to move, you got to move
You got to move, child, you got to move
But when the Lord get ready
You got to move
You may be high, you may be low
You may be rich, child, you may be poor
But when the Lord get ready
You got to move
It reminded me of key advice I received from a doctor about how best to recover from a major medical situation—maintain an active lifestyle. You got to move.
The church is still recovering from COVID-related circumstances that (for good reasons) have limited our gathering. Have limited our active lifestyle as a congregation. Have limited us from moving together. We’re still trying to navigate these pandemic waters safely. But you got to move. When the Lord get ready, you got to move.
At GenOn, we believe moving the generations together is beneficial to all. Is this fall a good time to plan to move intergenerationally? We think so.
Why intergenerational?
- Provides an arena for all to feel welcomed and included no matter the age/stage or numbers
- Enhances a sense of belonging for long-time members and first-time guests
- Encourages families to participate as a unit, deepening their faith together
- Shares wisdom, experience, and knowledge back and forth among generations
- Builds the whole body of Christ, renewing relationships, strengthening ties
- Develops a shared vision for leaders in the congregation
How intergenerational?
- Keep planning simple—simple is sustainable
- Start slowly (but start)
- Hold “special events” as motivators to move people from the inertia of staying home
- Intentionally add more generations to what you’re already doing
- Offer something new
- Extend personal invitations; resist using only the “all call” to publicize
- Share the “why” behind the “what” of intergenerational gatherings
What intergenerational?
We suggest …
- God’s World in Community: Creation Care or Tell Your Story Flexible, simple resources for intergenerational gatherings.
- LIFT: Living in Faith Together: Generations together around tables to share food, fellowship, and learning.
- Table Games For fun and fellowship.
There's more! But God’s World, LIFT, and Table Games keep the plans simple as a way to start, or restart. You got to move.
“The one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not regretfully or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.”
2 Corinthians 9: 6-8