Dawn Rundman: Babies,toddlers & IG; Tori Smit: What to do when kids are few; Dave Sanders: Millennials leading Screeners (Gen Z)
Dawn Rundman: Babies,toddlers & IG; Tori Smit: What to do when kids are few; Dave Sanders: Millennials leading Screeners (Gen Z)
The Most Important Intergenerational Ministry No One Is Talking About"
Dawn Rundman, sparkhouse
What if you asserted that the most important people in your church are the infants and toddlers in your midst? When we begin children’s ministry with 3-year-olds, we miss a remarkable opportunity for intergenerational ministry. The church can provide a remarkable context for faith formation at a time when young brains are the most plastic and when parents are most in need of support, encouragement, and ideas for raising their children in the faith.
What to do When the Kids are Few?
Tori Smit, Regional Minister for Faith Formation, Synod of Central, Northeastern Ontario and Bermuda, Presbyterian Church in Canada, Toronto, Ontario
In the synod in which I serve, 49% of the congregations have ten or fewer children on their rolls, yet most of these churches strive to do ministry with their children using age-segregated programs designed for churches with hundreds of kids. It’s not working! This qualitative study, which included four diverse congregations, tested five practices for intergenerational ministry for their effectiveness in congregations with a handful of kids—practices that take the primary emphasis off the Sunday School and place responsibility for ministry with children across the whole church. There is good news as well as a cautionary tale or two to share.
Why Intergenerational Participation in Shaping Millennial Leadership is Vital for Future Youth Ministry with Screeners (Gen Z)
Dave Sanders, Professor of Christian Ministries; Judson University, Elgin, IL
Do you know who taught Moses about leadership or mentored Ruth in cultural engagement or poured wisdom into a young John Mark who later wrote one of the gospel accounts? The dynamic success of Jethro, Naomi and Barnabas was established on the principles of intergenerational influence, mentoring and leadership. In light of these examples, and knowing that the next 20 years of youth ministry will be about the Screener generation with Millennials as their primary leaders, it seems equally crucial for churches and ministry organizations to implement an intergenerational strategy for mentoring and leadership development. This paper investigates what each generation needs, wants and offers, and why the Millennials as young leaders require intergenerational influence as they spearhead ministry to the youngest generation of Screeners.
The Most Important Intergenerational Ministry No One Is Talking About"
Dawn Rundman, sparkhouse
What if you asserted that the most important people in your church are the infants and toddlers in your midst? When we begin children’s ministry with 3-year-olds, we miss a remarkable opportunity for intergenerational ministry. The church can provide a remarkable context for faith formation at a time when young brains are the most plastic and when parents are most in need of support, encouragement, and ideas for raising their children in the faith.
What to do When the Kids are Few?
Tori Smit, Regional Minister for Faith Formation, Synod of Central, Northeastern Ontario and Bermuda, Presbyterian Church in Canada, Toronto, Ontario
In the synod in which I serve, 49% of the congregations have ten or fewer children on their rolls, yet most of these churches strive to do ministry with their children using age-segregated programs designed for churches with hundreds of kids. It’s not working! This qualitative study, which included four diverse congregations, tested five practices for intergenerational ministry for their effectiveness in congregations with a handful of kids—practices that take the primary emphasis off the Sunday School and place responsibility for ministry with children across the whole church. There is good news as well as a cautionary tale or two to share.
Why Intergenerational Participation in Shaping Millennial Leadership is Vital for Future Youth Ministry with Screeners (Gen Z)
Dave Sanders, Professor of Christian Ministries; Judson University, Elgin, IL
Do you know who taught Moses about leadership or mentored Ruth in cultural engagement or poured wisdom into a young John Mark who later wrote one of the gospel accounts? The dynamic success of Jethro, Naomi and Barnabas was established on the principles of intergenerational influence, mentoring and leadership. In light of these examples, and knowing that the next 20 years of youth ministry will be about the Screener generation with Millennials as their primary leaders, it seems equally crucial for churches and ministry organizations to implement an intergenerational strategy for mentoring and leadership development. This paper investigates what each generation needs, wants and offers, and why the Millennials as young leaders require intergenerational influence as they spearhead ministry to the youngest generation of Screeners.