Last week was my denominational Annual Conference. It’s a time of Christian community focused on worship (prayer, giving, singing, proclamation), teaching (workshops and breakouts), serving (sharing resources, hosting, helping, voting, equipping), and table life (prayer, meals, fellowship) of the Christian family business of the Global Methodist Church.

I was invited to present a Creative Intergenerational Community workshop three times. Within a limited time I hit the ground running to get as much shared as I possibly could to encourage the local church leaders of laity and clergy to intentionally engage as many generations as possible in all of the ministry opportunities we typically schedule on the local church level.

So, what do we mean by “Intergenerational Community”?

At its heart, it means people of all ages and stages connecting, building relationships, and honoring the wisdom, wonder, and gifts each generation brings. Everyone has something to give and something to receive. 

One practical expression of this at our church are the Family Tables in our worship space. These are tables set up right within the rows of chairs—not off in a corner, but right in the mix—inviting littles and their bigs to experience worship together.

The Family Tables are more than kid-friendly—they’re community-inclusive. Just like a hearing aid or a wheelchair ramp, they help make space for every member of our church family to belong.

“When we give our children (and youth) opportunities to watch and observe us engaging in the worship of God, we train our children in how to worship God themselves.” Beth Meverden, Church(ing) Kids, pg. 27. What’s good for kids is good for everybody.

All of God’s people (all ages and stages) are called by our Creator to ‘praise the Lord in His sanctuary.” Psalm 150:1

Littles and middles find plenty to see, hear, touch, and sometimes taste, all that is involved in the worship of our Great God. They pick up the language of worship, the customs of gathering as Christians, and fully join in to encourage one another, just as the Bible teacher in Hebrews 10:24-25 shares to ‘spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.’

Our Family Tables are cared for by our interns (weekly re-papering); a faithful servant-leader (weekly painted messages); and Ambassadors—4th and 5th-grade leaders—who take pride in cleaning the space each week after services. It’s not a drop-off zone, but a place where children and their adults worship together.

And they’re just one option! Littles, middles, and youth are scattered all over the worship space with their families. One of our youth sits with our beloved older adults during worship while their parents attend the Spanish-speaking service across campus. That’s what intergenerational community looks like!

In the past 15 months, we’ve seen these tables evolve—from small squares tucked in a corner to long tables woven into the heart of the worship space. This summer, we’ll be expanding them to both sides of the sanctuary. It’s been a beautiful journey, and we’re just getting started.

At the tables are buckets of markers as well as quiet building straws all maintained by the Ambassadors (4th & 5th grade leaders) during and after the services. Next to the tables is a box of clipboards which include activity sheets related to the sermon/season with a cloth zipper pouch (quiet) of alphabots and twistable crayons.

Because here’s the truth: Intentional Intergenerational Christian Community means there’s something for everyone, even if not everything is for everyone. That’s counter-cultural, especially in a world where personal preference often trumps shared purpose. But Christian community invites us to something richer.

Where can we start the conversation for intentional intergenerational Christian community? Start with something already on the calendar. Then ask:

• How can we engage and accommodate littles? – In worship? Family Tables; Ash Wednesday? Place ashes on the backs of hands rather than only on foreheads. On Good Friday? Put the tenebrae service outside at sunset rather than darkening an indoor space. Offer space to move freely.
• How can we engage and accommodate bigs? – At the Live Nativity? Provide a flat walking surface by placing it on the parking lot rather than a field. For Youth Mission Trip? Invite Saints to provide and pray over bagged lunches for the trip. Mix up seating at a dinner? Host a Senior Date Night With The Youth to ‘taco-bout’ our faith together.
• How can we coach a middle to take the lead? Invite a youth to take on new mission which has a beginning and an end, and requires recruiting and building a team to be a ‘disciple-maker’ for the team such as Operation Christmas Child, etc.

As Dave Ferguson writes in Hero Maker, “We aren’t doing anything new. It’s just our turn.