Over nearly three decades of church ministry, I have become convinced that there is greater health in a church when it is multigenerational than in a single generation church. This does not mean that such a church is easy to lead. The advantage of a multigenerational church is its ability for the experience of an older generation pouring into a younger one as well as the innovation of a younger generation pouring into those older than them. The cross-pollination of ideas and thoughts, when rooted in God’s Word and prayer, while dependent on God’s Spirit, is invigorating to a church as they seek to know God and make Him known.
The challenge of a multigenerational church is that inevitably some people will feel left behind. This is in part due to the reality that a healthy multigenerational church is not multi-focused. In other words, a healthy multi-generational church is not trying to appeal to the vast variety of subcultures in each generation. The healthy multi-generational church understands that they must continually focus on emerging generations in style and practice, which is easy when you are part of the emerging generation, but increasingly difficult when the space between yourself and the emerging generation is growing (I am certainly in that boat). There is also a challenge for the emerging generation to acknowledge their lack of experience and wisely seek those who have journeyed longer on this world with Christ to gain godly insight.
How then can a multigenerational church overcome these challenges and remain healthy? I believe when a church keeps the main thing the main thing any church, including a multigenerational church, can be healthy and flourish in Christ. The main thing is our call to know God and make Him known. When we partner this with a desire to see emerging generations following Jesus, be changed by Christ and committed to His mission, then God is truly honored. This does not mean that a church is not concerned about seeing this happen throughout all generations. They certainly do, but do so understanding that the style and practices of the church need to be culturally relevant to the emerging generation. Churches who do not commit to a unique focus on the emerging generation will eventually find themselves lagging behind the culture, even church culture. This does not mean we abandon what is effective simply for the new, but it does mean we must continually evaluate what we do and make the shifts sooner than later. By the way, cultural relevancy does not mean compromising the truth. God’s truth is timeless, but the way ministry looks is not only adaptable but must be if a church is to remain healthy and flourishing.
I find Psalm 78:4 a key verse for the multigenerational church. It reads: “We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.” This verse challenges me to remember that the emerging generation is our opportunity and responsibility to raise them in knowing what it means to belong to Christ and His Church and become the person they have been created to be for God’s glory. This verse may be speaking of biological children, but as we look at the broader teaching of scripture certainly encompasses spiritual parenting as well. It is a great challenge, but when this challenge is met along with keeping the main thing the main thing, it leads to an understanding of the church that releases preference and even comfort to the more significant cause of seeing God’s kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. I believe a healthy multigenerational church is best poised to see this accomplished.
I am honored and thankful to be a part of a church family that has, for well over a century, been a healthy multigenerational church focused on the emerging generation. I pray when Christ returns we will be found continuing to do so. I believe we will. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!