Scott Cochrane recently shared how Bill Hybels responded to a question about how congregations can become more intergenerational. Hybels’, Founder and Senior Pastor of Willow Creek Community Church, answer focused on intention. Congregations that seek to value the intergenerational dynamic must create structures that affirm persons from all age cohorts, including selecting them for leadership positions.
So What?
Becoming more intergenerational doesn’t happen overnight, and won’t work unless an intentional committed focus guides decision making in all areas of congregational life.
- What percentage of your typical Sunday worship community falls into each age category: Gen Y, Gen X, Boomer, Greatest?
- How effectively does the age diversity on your church’s leadership Board(s) convey a message that the congregation values intergenerational contributions? What about the makeup of your congregation’s staff?