A Multi-generational Church
 

How many of our churches are missing a generation? How many have either older adults and grandchildren, or thirty somethings and their children, but no older generation? How do we stop losing our children after they leave for college?

I listened to a masterpiece sermon on this issue yesterday. Here are some of my notes:

What is the most important age group? Answer: Jr High age. This is the age to identify leadership qualities and start to involve them in the worship services. When they get to High School age, have them mentor a Jr. high student. Scholars say ten of the twelve disciples were teenagers when chosen by Jesus!

RULES:

1. No bench! All generations are starters and are used in family worship services. Find ways to involve all age groups in worship services. Elderly and young can be greeters, encouraged to lay hands on the sick, pray with seekers in the alter, collect offering, play instruments, sing Etc.

No bataan is passed! Sorry older folks, but there's no retirement from discipleship.

2. Church is made up of GREAT FAMILIES! Be a godly old person (non-judgmental) Youth set an example - behavior garners respect.

3. Intergenerational worship - Romans 15:1-7 with ONE voice!
Individually, we each have a favorite style.

Diverse ages and mixed styles of music. Doing a great job when each generation is equally dissatisfied!!! Ha!
Old people should care about the young people, and young people should care about the old people.


Thoughts?

Re: A Multi-generational Church
 

I thought of a couple examples from the earlier days of the UPC.

1. In the early 50's, Rev. L.H. Hardwick started Christ Church in Nashville when he was only 18 years old! Today it is a mega-church.

2. In 1956, my father started 1st Apostolic Church in Aurora, IL when he was 20 years old! Today that church is one of the largest churches in the Illinois district of UPCI.

Today we don't have teenagers start churches because they are not qualified or groomed! They must first sit as youth pastor until they are 30, then maybe, just maybe, they can be an assistant pastor. They must prove themselves as an assistant pastor before they can even be considered worthy to either start a church in a new town or be voted in as pastor of an existing church.

Re: A Multi-generational Church
 

When a church considers a certain style of music for worship, consider the following verses: (comments in red)

Rom 15:1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak (youth?), and not to please ourselves.

2 Let every one of us please [his] neighbour for [his] good to edification.
Everyone give a little on music style, and realize that other generations may enjoy and be moved by a certain style that does nothing for you!
3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches (insults) of them that reproached (insulted) thee fell on me.
In other words, Christ was even willing to suffer contempt for the good of the whole.

4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:


6 That ye may with ONE mind [and] ONE mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

Re: A Multi-generational Church
 

Deep stuff, my friend........good to ponder.......

Re: A Multi-generational Church
 

I used to love to hear Pastor Hardwick talk about the early days of Christ Church. They sold donuts on Saturday to meet the mortgage payment (which could not have been much because I think they were meeting in a basement at first). Later he became a Chaplain at a State Penitentery to both minister and have an income as not to burden the small church.

Re: A Multi-generational Church
 

Paul said not to be a novice... Just sayin. Many that I have met who are 30+ and who have been in ministry for several years are still novices and they don't know squat... LOL

Re: A Multi-generational Church
 

You mean this?

1Ti 3:6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

That is a qualification of a BISHOP (or overseer of many churches). The reason put forth to not being a novice is so they wouldn't think they should be put on a pedestal or think they were something on a stick! If this is the case, many in UPCI leadership are still novices! With time and maturity comes humility for the exalted position.

Novice not mentioned as a qualification of a pastor or a disciple. As already mentioned, most scholars believe ten of the twelve disciples were teenagers when Jesus chose them!

Re: A Multi-generational Church
 

After thinking about it, Christ Church was started by JW Wallace. They asked Bro. Hardwick to be pastor when Bro. Wallace left to start another work. BTW, JW Wallace was in his mid 20's at the time!

Re: A Multi-generational Church
 

No one should be a pastor that wasn't first a BISHOP.

NEXT!!!

Re: A Multi-generational Church
 

Pastor is a higher position than Bishop? Interesting!

Did you know that the word "bishop" was ordered to be put in the bible by King James for political purposes? In short: The saints did not have any “bishops”. The Greek word 'episkopos' which appears in Acts 20:28, Philippians 1:1, 1 Timothy 3:2 and Titus 1:7, refers to elders.

There is no proof of any titled positions in the early church, so "elders" refers to an exalted position of authority within the church.

In the Catholic Church there are many dioceses each overseen by a bishop. Dioceses are divided into individual communities called parishes, each staffed by one or more priests. The priest is comparable to what we call a "pastor". The "pastor" is under the authority of the Bishop.

Just sayin'! :icecream