The first moment I really thought “I can be a mother” came in the form of a vision of sorts. I was standing in church during worship, and I suddenly saw a tousled head pressed against my cheek, small arms wrapped around my neck, and chubby legs dangling on either side of me. I didn’t see a face exactly, but instantly, holding this person seemed natural, already so interlaced with life it felt like this person—he—was actually here. At that time, I had been struggling with the idea of what it would mean to have children, and suddenly all that didn’t matter. I had seen the fullness of holding my son.
Envisioning the Church
What dreams do we have for our churches? We all have wish lists (often approaching laundry lists) of the things we want in church: a new sound booth, a freshly painted kids’ ministry hallway, a youth pastor who doesn’t say “on God’s heart” every third sentence. But are those dreams?
More than likely, when you summon a picture of what you long for in church, you desire to know and be known deeply by God and others. You probably picture a church community that’s richer than that moment to “greet your neighbor” in the service. It probably includes knowing others intimately—their pains, hopes, and challenges—and coming alongside them in trials. Even standing beside a hospital bed, sitting beside a friend after a devastating loss, walking beside another in moments of doubt. We don’t even have to experience it to know we are not made to do life alone.
More than likely, when you summon a picture of what you long for in church, you desire to know and be known deeply by God and others.
Intergenerational Dreams
The name for this deep sense of connection that extends beyond Sunday morning is an intergenerational church. This means more than just having multiple generations present. The word itself draws our focus to the space between two things. (Think: international, interstellar, and interwoven.) When we are being intergenerational, we are paying attention to what happens between the generations. Is that space a cavern that echoes, or is it full of life and activity? Paul says that “in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit” (Eph. 2:22). Being intergenerational is being intentional about what’s being built between us—whether it’s rotting and falling apart or it’s being “joined together and rises” to become God’s dwelling place.
Belonging to an intergenerational church is more than being a member of a book club or group for fitness enthusiasts. The church unites people of all perspectives and stages of life around God’s work. It is much more than just enjoying a hobby with like-minded people. It’s about transformation for each believer who is becoming more like Christ.
This was the beauty of the kingdom of God that Jesus and His disciples preached from the earliest days of the church: because of Christ’s death and resurrection, people of all ethnicities, ages, and backgrounds are “fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household […] with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone” (Eph. 2:19). And no matter our life seasons or levels of experience, we get to share God’s hope, peace, and love—the trademarks of His rule—on earth now.
Made to Be
In this sense, an intergenerational church is simply the church as it was made to be. It is a church that is seeking to more fully be the body of Christ. It means looking for opportunities to love and serve each other beyond our comfort zones. Intergenerational church means facilitating mentorships and prayer partners from segments of the church that would not otherwise interact. It means showing kids that this is a place where they belong and are known. And as it was for the early church, our love for one another will be a testament to the power of the gospel to change hearts, relationships, and entire communities.
Your Sons and Daughters Will Prophesy
An intergenerational church is also about raising up the future church. If you are someone who has been in ministry for longer than it takes to read this sentence, you are probably aware that there has been a decline in church affiliation over the last twenty years. Some recent reports show that this decline has been leveling off, but no matter how you look at it, church attendance is down about 12 percent and church membership about 20 percent since 2000.[1]
As it was for the early church, our love for one another will be a testament to the power of the gospel to change hearts, relationships, and entire communities.
Research from Barna Group shows that small but significant contingent of Gen Z—called “resilient disciples”—attend church regularly, trust in Jesus and affirm the authority of the Bible and want to transform society for good. Significantly, one of the main things that makes them different from their peers is that they “have positive relationships in their church with older adults who they trust, look to for advice, and feel valued by.”[2] This is supported by the findings of Sticky Faith, which highlights that what is often needed for a young adult to “stick” with faith past high school is a network of at least five adults who are significantly invested in their lives.[3] Being an intergenerational church means giving children a faith that is “rooted and established in love,” a love made tangible by adults who are reliably there for them (Eph. 3:17).
From Dreams to the Light of Day
Realistically, how can our churches become more intergenerational? It doesn’t mean ditching all of our age-specific programs. It begins with noticing areas we are already intergenerational and being more intentional within these. And by incorporating just a few new ideas, we can begin to expand opportunities for people of all ages to pour into one another.
- Plan a Sunday school class around a thematic study or the life of Jesus and actively recruit people from each generation to participate
- Consider turning the occasional 5th Sunday of a month into an all-age service, with a worship set and message designed for children to engage in (or even lead!)
- Invite middle school or mature elementary-aged children to participate in regular ministry teams, from welcome team to sound booth to serving in younger kids’ classes
- Plan an outreach event in your community that brings generations together in shared service and celebrate together at the end of the event
Timeless Visions
Intergenerational is simply a new term to capture an old idea. It returns us to our deepest dreams for church: a space of connection that surpasses what the world offers. Just as it was that morning when I saw a vision of my future child, sometimes it takes the dream to see the fullness of the reality. Now, when I stand in church holding my son, his small body beginning to fill out, I trace a thread of God’s faithfulness that is far bigger than me, one that continues through the generations.
What if We're Failing Kids at Faith Formation? (And How Not To)
What if We're Failing Kids at Faith Formation? (And How Not To)
What if We're Failing Kids at Faith Formation? (And How Not To)
Additional Helpful Articles
- 3 Things Today’s Families Crave from Their Church
- The Great Commission and Helping Hurting People
- Recognizing the Voice of God in Your Everyday Life
- How to Disciple Mixed-Age Groups Together in Your Children’s Ministry
- How Can We Guide Children in Faith Formation? A Podcast with INCM and David C Cook
[1] Gregory A. Smith et al., “Decline of Christianity in the U.S. Has Slowed, May Have Leveled Off” (Pew Research Center, February 26, 2025), https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2025/02/26/decline-of-christianity-in-the-us-has-slowed-may-have-leveled-off/. Jeffrey Jones, “U.S. Church Membership Falls Below Majority for First Time” (Gallup, March 29, 2021), https://news.gallup.com/poll/341963/church-membership-falls-below-majority-first-time.aspx.
[2] “Gen Z Mental Health & Well-Being: Six Practical Ideas for Christian Leaders and Parents” (Barna Group, 2025). https://www.barna.com/mental-health/.
[3] Kara Eckmann Powell and Brad M. Griffin, Sticky Faith (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011).
