Motivation Inter-generational ministry

inter-generational ministry 1 of number of movements have arisen in response on concerns young adults commonly cease participation in church, , not return. proponents of inter-generational ministry movement hold hierarchical , didactic roles found in traditional church ministries deprive teens , young adults of sense of purpose , involvement, since role in these ministries passive , subordinate, , since kept separate adult activities. therefore, propose younger members should take active roles in ministry of local church, , church activities should involve , encourage participation members across wide range of ages.

a second thread in inter-generational ministry movement of family involvement. concerns on divorce, abuse , other family disruptions led criticism of how traditional church activities typically segregate family members according age, de-emphasizing family relationships. inter-generational activities seen means involve families units, reinforcing family bonds.

studies show children attending sunday schools , youth programs less continue church involvement, compared attended worship parents, , integrated community (e.g., mark de vries family-based youth ministry, 2004). children continue church involvement adults have nominal faith (e.g. george barna transforming children spiritual champions, 2003).

proponents of mode of ministry claim biblical model - particularly when ministry located within family in accordance relational hebrew model described in deuteronomy 6.

a movement of family integrated churches has arisen within american evangelicalism. national center family-integrated churches lists around 800 affiliated churches.

however, growing frequency of non-traditional families, scott wilcher ( orphaned generation: father s heart connecting youth , young adults church ) suggests broadening of interpretation of family birth family spiritual family believers adopted. book encourages inter-generational discipleship identifying current conceptual metaphors adult church uses organize thinking , speech young people, (animals, aliens , closed spaces) , suggest reframing thoughts metaphor of orphan in need of wise guide. argues hollywood has primed generation of movie goers expect young heroes require wise guide in order gain new identity, new community, , path destiny, creates valuable opportunity adult christians become obi wan kenobi, gandalf, rafiki, mr. miyagi or alfred young person.