Bringing generations together within the church provides benefits and blessings on a variety of levels. Insights from research and pastoral experience tell us that being intentionally intergenerational:

• reclaims God’s intent for faith to be shared in community and across generations

• affirms each person’s value in the total community (regardless of age).

• fosters a foundation of support of each other’s concerns, interests, and activities

• provides “up close and personal” formation in faith as children, teens, young adults, middle-aged adults, and older adults engage in sharing faith, teaching, learning, and praying for one another

• teaches us to care for one another

• provides role models for children and youth

• teaches us to value older adults

• allows us to pass on the traditions of family and faith

• enhances people’s identification with their congregation and integration within the community

• encourages greater faith in all generations

• creates special relationships between adults and youth

• fosters leadership regardless of age or stature

• utilizes the strengths (the wisdom, experience, and knowledge) of one generation to meet the needs of another generation

• promotes understanding of shared values and respect for individuals in all stages and ages of life

• utilizes the creative talents of younger and older generations to provide service to the church and community

• overcomes the age-segregated nature of our society, taking a pro-active, counter-cultural stance in the face of the countless ways society separates and pigeon-holes into age-specific groups