For the first time in recent history, teenagers may be attending church in greater numbers than adults.
A recent Barna and Gloo collaborative study surveyed US adults within the past six months and found that Gen Z (roughly ages 13 to 28) reported an average church attendance of 1.9 times per month, just slightly higher than Millennials’ average of 1.8 times monthly. This contrasts the 1.6 times per month attendance for Gen Xers and 1.4 times monthly for Boomers.
On one hand, ministry leaders should be concerned about the increasing exodus of adults from local churches. On the other hand, we should be excited and hopeful for the work of God in the next generation. Research indicates increased interest in learning about the Christian faith, and many of us can point to experiences that align with the data. For example, a local church in my area recently reported having a record number of students profess faith in Jesus during their D-Now weekend! God is doing wonderful things in the next generation.
But there is a major problem. Christians on the whole are too busy and distracted to steward the needed disciple-making relationships with teenagers.
In another study, nearly half of Christians in the U.S. reportedly struggle to find time for relationships with other believers. As a youth pastor, I’ve seen this trend only increase in recent years, affecting our Wednesday night programs and Sunday discipleship meetings. The pace of life for our students—and adult leaders—is simply too overwhelming.
So what should our response as ministry leaders be toward the next generation? Simple. Disciple them! To put it more robustly, we must seek to encourage and cultivate faithful intergenerational ministry where we live, work, and worship. Here are three distinctives of intergenerational integration in the local church.
1. Intergenerational ministry has propelled the Church through the ages.
Recall these moments in biblical history: Ruth the Moabite commits her life to God and serves her mother-in-law Naomi through their shared grief. Timothy comes to faith in Christ through the influence of his mother Eunice (2 Tim. 1). Then Paul brings young Timothy along on his missionary journey in order to mentor and shape a younger brother for future pastoral ministry (Acts 17).
Most notably, scholars tell us that Jesus’ own 12 disciples likely spanned the ages of fifteen to forty years old! And what was the fruit of their time with Jesus? An explosion of gospel community that would shake the very foundations of an empire (Acts 17:6). Intergenerational ministry played a major role in sustaining God’s people and advancing God’s mission to the far reaches of Rome.
Last summer our youth group took a mission trip into the heart of Nashville, TN. We volunteered with an outreach ministry for at-risk kids that emphasizes character-building and biblical truth. Each of the local high school volunteers (most of whom came through the ministry themselves) modeled maturity and charismatic leadership to care for kids in their neighborhoods. Seeing this inspired our own students to think deeply about servanthood in their own contexts.
Spirit-filled leaders have a wonderful opportunity to disciple teenagers and call them into spiritual leadership with those younger than they are. Use your gifts to empower students who are hungry for discipling relationships and kingdom impact.
2. Intergenerational ministry raises up disciples who make disciples.
We need godly influences who model Christlike faith for our teenagers. The tragedy of school shootings, the massive moral failings of celebrities, and the ongoing warzone of politics can be overwhelming to navigate for our youth. Our kids are witnessing these hardships in real time.
But out of the ashes of the cultural firezone, the hope of the gospel continues to shine in the most surprising of places. Olympic gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone told reporters that every time she steps onto the track, her constant prayer is this: “God, let me be the vessel in which you’re glorified whatever the result is.” in 2019, NFL quarterback Jameis Winston spoke on his identity as not being in football or any other sport he’s played, but in Christ. Now Jameis is reportedly leading bible studies in the New York Giants locker room! Despite the chaotic landscape of the world, men and women across cultural lines at the highest levels of achievement are turning to the narrow road of godly living, inspiring many to consider the claims of Christ.
Youth leaders of all ages and across various life stages can enter into their students’ world and set godly examples of speech and conduct. Visit students at their schools and ask how their lives are going. Invite students into your home to get a glimpse of what it’s like to raise a godly family. Be engaged with their likes and dislikes for the sake of the individual and not merely their contribution towards your ministry! Investing in the next generation is both necessary and rewarding for both parties.
Here’s a quote from one of our youth ministry parents:
“I think intergenerational ministry is very important for youth groups. Our teens need to develop the ability to interact with adults and be mentored by those who have lived what teens are going through. Our teens also need the opportunity to lead those younger than them in the same way. Elementary and middle school students are looking up to our teens to see how to do life with God in the next stage of their life. As adults we are there to guide this process.”
3. Intergenerational ministry disrupts generational echo chambers.
Age and stage ministries can provide wonderful ways for like-minded individuals to connect with one another. But silos can cause us to miss out on the wisdom of older generations or the spiritual enthusiasm of the younger generations. Paul writes, “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ” (in 1 Cor. 12:12). Having only age and stage ministries without multi-generational interaction is like a body walking around with just legs! It might function, but long-term is simply not sustainable.
I’m blessed each Sunday by our high student leadership team’s ability to joyfully lead their middle school peers in games, small group discussion, worship leading and teaching. They want to contribute to see our student ministry succeed, and we fan the flame of ministry by standing back and cheering from the sidelines! Healthy churches need the voices of each generation if they are to learn from each other, and disciple one another towards Christlikeness.
There are many ways to apply this principle of discipleship through intergenerational ministry. Build a core-team of mature students to take on various elements in your program. Have students lead worship at your church on a Sunday morning, or read Scripture. Give constructive feedback when necessary. Students are hungry for intergenerational investment, and faithful adults can respond to this with willing hearts.
A discipleship group leader at my church expressed this to me well:
“We generally feel more comfortable around people who look like us, think like us and share the same life experiences that we have experienced. When I saw first hand how much my children benefited from a mature and older follower of Jesus pouring into their journey of faith, I felt called to do the same. Intergenerational ministry moved me out of my comfort zone as I tried to build a relationship with ninth grade guys at my church. Our shared experience of Bible study, camping trips, and devotional readings created opportunities to laugh, listen and expand our understanding of our Creator together. I am so thankful for the friendships that were developed outside my comfort zone.”
Consider the impact a ministry focused on intergenerational ministry can make. It has the power to change the world.
If you’re new to youth ministry or looking for resources to grow in a gospel-centered approach, consider Rooted’s video training courses.
