A generation is all of the people born and living at about the same time, regarded collectively.  Each generation can be given a specific persona such as Baby Boomers or Gen X, which categorizes them according to that time and the attitudes that develop from living in it.  It can lead to a ‘generation gap’ but in the Church, we must live cross-generationally.

Psalm 145 verse 4:

            One generation will praise Your works to another,

            And will declare Your mighty acts.

Have you ever seen a little child worshipping in Church?  It’s the cutest thing!  They have their eyes screwed shut tight and their little arms in the air.  They are mimicking their parent’s experience; it is a beautiful way to start, but as the child grows especially in the ‘tween years’ they need to hear how praiseworthy God is because of what He has done and build a relationship with Him.  And they need to hear from across the generations.

Generations in Kid’s Church

Psalm 78:1-4

            Listen, my people, to my instruction;

            Incline your ears to the words of my mouth.

            I will open my mouth in a parable;

            I will tell riddles of old,

            Which we have heard and known,

            And our fathers have told us.

            We will not conceal them from their children,

            But will tell the generation to come the praises of the Lord,

            And His power and His wondrous works. 

Instruction?  Parables?  Riddles?  Sounds like Kid’s Church to me!  Asking elders to volunteer in Kid’s Church or as a special guest speaker is a way one generation can praise God’s works to another and declare His mighty acts.  If some elders are unable to visit, you can use your phone to record them giving a testimony or sharing an experience that ties in with a lesson.    

Ways to Connect the Generations

If we keep each department separate according to age, how will the next generation encounter God and deepen their relationship with Him?  If this is a new concept for your Church it may be hard going at first.  Congregants have to put aside their personal preferences (for example the type of worship song, or doing actions to kids’ songs) to create a culture where the whole body of Christ fellowships together.  Here are some events to try:

• All-age worship nights (that include songs for kids, youth and seniors)
• Holiday programs
• Concerts (especially at Easter and Christmas)
• Super Sundays (special Sunday program in Kid’s Church)
• National commemorative days like ANZAC Day.
• Missions Trips or Mission focused meetings followed by a meal
• Church potluck lunches or dinners
• Home meetings or small groups
• Camps
• Testimony segments in meetings (e.g. How I was saved)
• Mentoring programs
• ‘Uniforms’ (Church logos and mission statement on t-shirts etc.)
• Outreach (Religious Education in schools, visits to aged care facilities) 

Putting cross-generational strategies in place in your Church will bring exciting benefits to your Kid’s Church and the entire congregation!  It will create a community that is unified and that loves one another.  And it will look appealing to people outside the Church who are looking for connection.