Intentionally Intergenerational Children & Families Ministry Generate 2019 Chris Barnett Overview Intergenerationality Intergenerationality and Children & Families Ministry A Quick Word on Worship

Intergenerational Ministry (Children & Families) UCA Synod of Victas Encouraging healthy ministry with children and their families Providing effective educational resourcing for ministry with children and their families Consultancy Advocacy Resourcing Training

Intergenerational is not just a fad or a good idea… An intentionally intergenerational environment is more likely to encourage and sustain lifelong discipleship for all ages

Intergenerational is… Not just about children, its about people of all ages Not primarily about what we do, its about who we are Not something that just happens, it requires intentionality

Intergenerational – A Definition “Two or more different age groups…together learning, growing, living in faith through in-common experiences, parallel learning, contributive occasions, and interactive sharing” - James White

Intergenerational ministry – Some Definitions “Two or more different age groups…together learning, growing, living in faith through in-common experiences, parallel learning, contributive occasions, and interactive sharing” - James White “Intentional intergenerational strategies…encourage interpersonal interactions across generational boundaries…sense of mutuality and respect is encouraged between participants” – Alan Harkness

intergenerational connections Intergenerational ministry – A Culture change Generational – default position age-based cohorts, sometimes we do things together Intergenerational – default position all ages together, sometimes we do things separately A key is developing intergenerational connections -

What do we mean by “intergenerational”? Distinguishing between Mono-, Multi-, Cross- and Inter-generational

Making some distinctions Mono-cultural/generational Multi-cultural/generational Cross-cultural/generational Inter-cultural/generational Ref. The United Church of Canada

Multi-generational Tolerance, Live Alongside Superficial and polite interaction Cross-generational Some sharing, listening, learning Little individual/collective transformation Inter-generational Comprehensive mutuality, equality & reciprocity Individual/collective transformation more likely

Being Intergenerational Intentional intergenerational relationships are marked by Mutuality (all benefit) Equality (all are valued equally) Reciprocity (all give and receive)

Time for a Pause How are we going so far? What’s buzzing around in your head?

What do we mean by Children & Families Ministry? To…For…With Intentionally Intergenerational Children & Families Ministry What do we mean by Children & Families Ministry? To…For…With Children…Children & (their) Families

What do we mean by Children & Families Ministry? To…For…With Intentionally Intergenerational Children & Families Ministry What do we mean by Children & Families Ministry? To…For…With Children…Children & (their) Families What does this currently include in your context?

The role of Children & Families ministry leadership Intentionally Intergenerational Children & Families Ministry The role of Children & Families ministry leadership is to intentionally… Resource and rally the whole church community toward developing a culture of intergenerationality Identify & initiate opportunities for intergenerational engagement Support & sustain intergenerational endeavours across the whole church Equip & empower leaders, children and their families for intergenerational engagement

is encouraged between participants” Alan Harkness Intentionally Intergenerational Children & Families Ministry Genuine intergenerationality involves intentionality with regard to… Who we are: Attitudes, values and beliefs What we do: Behaviours, activities and interactions How we lead: Curating, cultivating and modelling “Intentional intergenerational strategies…encourage interpersonal interactions across generational boundaries…sense of mutuality and respect is encouraged between participants” Alan Harkness

Involves change from something to something else Intentionally Intergenerational Children & Families Ministry A quick word on change… Involves change from something to something else Involves knowing where we are & where we want to go Involves intentional discussion, discernment and decision

Intentionally Intergenerational Children & Families Ministry A quick word on change… Important to address broader aspects in relation to … Culture Change Processes …as well as the specifics of the area under consideration

Genuine intergenerationality involves intentionality with regard to… Intentionally Intergenerational Children & Families Ministry Genuine intergenerationality involves intentionality with regard to… Who we are: Attitudes, values and beliefs What we do: Behaviours, activities and interactions How we lead: Curating, cultivating and modelling When your Children and Families ministry is more intergenerational, what will you see?

Children listening to adults, adults listening to children Intentionally Intergenerational Children & Families Ministry When your Children and Families ministry is more intergenerational, what will you see? Children listening to adults, adults listening to children Children learning from adults, adults from children Children leading adults, adults leading children Children and adults “with-ing” Genuine engagement between generations

Intentionally Intergenerational Children & Families Ministry Intergenerationality… A core value An attitude/disposition A philosophy of ministry Encompassing all aspects of our life together

Intentionally Intergenerational Children & Families Ministry Caring Praying Learning Celebrating Serving Ref. Generations Together

Intentionally Intergenerational Children & Families Ministry Choose one area out of Caring, Praying, Learning, Serving (or a specific activity/program of your church)

Intentionally Intergenerational Children & Families Ministry Choose one area out of Caring, Praying, Learning, Serving (or a specific activity/program of your church). 2. Explore together how this area could be more intergenerational in your church.

Multi-age Multi-ability Multi-sensory Multi-intelligence A quick word on worship Multi-Age Worship principles foundational to Intergenerational Worship Multi-age Multi-ability Multi-sensory Multi-intelligence

A quick word on worship What , then, is intergenerational worship ? = Multi-Age with an intergenerational overlay Multi-age, Multi-ability, Multi-sensory, Multi-intelligence Facilitating, hosting and celebrating the shared life and connections of all and any generations together

Team Up! A quick word on worship Involve a number of different people, representing a range of generations, in various aspects of the service Having a multi-generational “team” of at least two people lead (eg. prayers, bible readings, songs) in worship… Provides intergenerational interaction in preparation Models intergenerational engagement in worship Demonstrates value/ethos of intentional intergenerationality Promotes opportunities for encouragement and affirmation

Intentionally Intergenerational Children & Families Ministry What has surprised/challenged/excited about today? What’s one thing you might do personally as a consequence of this session? What might be next for your context and intergenerational ministry?

Intergenerational is… Not just about children, its about people of all ages Not primarily about what we do, its about who we are Not something that just happens, it requires intentionality

Being Intergenerational Intentional intergenerational relationships are marked by Mutuality (all benefit) Equality (all are valued equally) Reciprocity (all give and receive)

is encouraged between participants” Alan Harkness Intentionally Intergenerational Children & Families Ministry Genuine intergenerationality involves intentionality with regard to… Who we are: Attitudes, values and beliefs What we do: Behaviours, activities and interactions How we lead: Curating, cultivating and modelling “Intentional intergenerational strategies…encourage interpersonal interactions across generational boundaries…sense of mutuality and respect is encouraged between participants” Alan Harkness

Intentionally Intergenerational Children & Families Ministry Generate 2019 Chris Barnett Overview Intergenerationality Intergenerationality and Children & Families Ministry A Quick Word on Worship