1. Inter-Generational Ministry
Moving from Multi- to
Inter-Generational Ministry
Generate 2019 Chris Barnett
Overview
Intergenerationality & Change
Multi-, cross- and inter-generational
Models for Change
Reality Check

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. intergenerational connections
A Change of Culture
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 -

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

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

10. 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

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

12. A Change of Culture From Generational to Intergenerational
From Multi-generational to Inter-generational
Tolerance Mutuality
Living alongside Equality
Superficial Reciprocity
Polite interaction Transformation
…transformation of beliefs, values, attitudes
…transformation of behaviours and practices

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

14. Becoming a truly intergenerational church
Involves change from something to something else
Involves knowing where we are & where we want to go
Involves intentional discussion, discernment and decision

15. Reflection on the last 20 years Reflection on the past 5 years
Becoming a truly intergenerational church
Reflection on the last 20 years
Reflection on the past 5 years
Reflection on the last month

16. Becoming a truly intergenerational church
Factors common to many contexts include matters relating to…
Culture
Change
Processes
…not just the specifics of the area under consideration

17. Becoming a truly intergenerational church
Three Models for Change
Kotter & the Penguins
Rogers & the ???
Heath & the Elephant

18. Becoming a truly intergenerational church
Our Iceberg is Melting John Kotter
Establish a sense of urgency
Create a guiding team
Develop a vision and strategy
Communicate the vision and strategy
Empower others
Generate short-term wins
Consolidate gains
Anchor new approaches in culture

19. Becoming a truly intergenerational church
Everett Rogers & the ??? Adaptive Change
“An adaptive challenge, on the other hand, arises in a situation where the existing systems and structures cannot offer sufficient answers. Adaptive challenges thus require us to engage in experimentation and a process of learning. They necessitate changes in behaviour, values and attitudes” InterGenerate, p.89

20. Becoming a truly intergenerational church
Everett Rogers & the ??? Adaptive Change
Awareness
Understanding
Evaluation
Experimentation
Commitment
This approach…”does not promise the rapid transformation of an entire organisation. Rather, it emphasises the steady, intentional cultivation of cultural change” InterGenerate p.91

21. Becoming a truly intergenerational church
Heath & the Elephant
Switch: How to change when change is hard (Chip & Dan Heath)
The Happiness Hypothesis (Jonathan Haidt)
The Elephant, The Rider and the Path

22. Becoming a truly intergenerational church
The task of leadership in change…
Direct the Rider
Motivate the Elephant
Shape the Path

23. Becoming a truly intergenerational church
Direct the Rider
Follow the bright spots
Script the critical moves
Point to the destination

24. Becoming a truly intergenerational church Motivate the Elephant
Find the feeling
Shrink the change
Grow your people

25. Becoming a truly intergenerational church
Shape the Path
Tweak the environment
Build habits
Rally the herd

26. Becoming a truly intergenerational church
The task of leadership in change…
Direct the Rider Follow the bright spots
Script the critical moves
Point to the destination
Motivate the Elephant Find the feeling
Shrink the change
Grow your people
Shape the Path Tweak the environment
Build habits
Rally the herd

27. Moving from Multi- to Inter-Generational 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?

28. Moving from Multi- to Inter-Generational Ministry
Involves a Change of Culture
From Generational to Intergenerational
From Multi-generational to Inter-generational
Tolerance Mutuality
Living alongside Equality
Superficial Reciprocity
Polite interaction Transformation
…transformation of beliefs, values, attitudes
…transformation of behaviours and practices

29. Moving from Multi- to Inter-Generational Ministry
Involves change from something to something else
Involves knowing where we are & where we want to go
Involves intentional discussion, discernment and decision

30. Moving from Multi- to Inter-Generational Ministry
The task of leadership in change…
Direct the Rider
Motivate the Elephant
Shape the Path

31. Moving from Multi- to Inter-Generational Ministry
Directing the Rider
Tell someone before Monday about what’s excited you today
me before Tuesday for a copy of this ppt
Set a date for an intentional intergenerational discussion with your church leadership team
Check out
Read either InterGenerate or Intergenerational Christian Formation in the next month

32. to Inter-Generational Ministry
Moving from Multi-
to Inter-Generational Ministry
Generate 2019
Chris Barnett