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The power of intergenerational ministry and church families
Church in the Community - Media Release in the Herald: 12th February 2024
Source: TCN / Jenni Meyer
Date Added: 2024-02-12
Category: General News, TCN News, Youth News, Childrens News, Issues - General,
Date Added: 2024-02-12
Category: General News, TCN News, Youth News, Childrens News, Issues - General,
The body of Christ is becoming more and more aware of the need and necessity of working together to build and maintain intergenerational churches and ministries.
Psalm 127:3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.
What a joy it is to see churches placing importance on intergenerational church and ministries.
Where you can see at least three, but up to four generations in a church – loving, worshipping, obeying and telling others about the goodness, love and forgiveness found in the Lord Jesus Christ.
The excitement of others is palpable as they see children and youth taking part in the church service, ministering to peers and older people.
Where an intergenerational church is in action, adults learn from children and children learn from those older than themselves.
A deep understanding and respect for one another, where love and forgiveness can be found across the age groups.
Ephesians 3: 21: “To Him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever”.
The Church (all generations) bring God glory here on earth.
God’s glory found in Jesus has been made known to all the generations, and Jesus’ glory has been promised to all the generations.
In the Old and New Testaments, the Biblical theme is that we all have value, and are highly favoured by the Godhead.
All ages have been created in the image of God.
The body of Christ (Whether young or old) are welcome and invited by Him to serve and lead in His Church.
Being intergenerational is found and described in His Word as His very nature, which is reflected in the lives of His worshippers.
What happens when this takes place? A transformation of Churches, peoples and cultures of all ages.
In Psalm 8 God uses children as His ambassadors.
He finds delight and great joy in those who obtain their strength in Him as opposed to self-sufficiency.
Jesus loved the children whilst on earth, as He loves them still – they are His favourites!
For Him, they really model greatness!
They can intimately know Him and His kingdom can be known by them!
Children are unlike the worldly wise.
They do not use their power, but humbly understand Jesus, His life, death and resurrection and in humility can lay their lives before the One who made heaven and earth!
Children can truly sing “Hosanna in the highest!”
Matthew 11: 25 - 26 At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will”.
What do we see in intergenerational churches?
Leadership fully embraces the Biblical mandate and encourages all age involvement and service.
This brings with it different perspectives, fresh ideas and creativity
Petra Institute offers training, as we build capacity in Churches, organisations, networks, families, and schools.
We are there to build relationships, network, mentor, strategise and consult in children’s ministry.
We listen carefully to the needs of church leadership and volunteers.
Our training is relational and practical, meeting the needs for adult learning.
Adults learn best when they have fun.
Our training is Biblical, using the experiential learning cycle and learning through discovery and dialogue.
When leaders are equipped in children’s ministry, they can enjoy and see the value in working with children and youth.
They lead better and understand others ministering to young people more fully.
Children are effectively ministered to, and many come to the saving knowledge of Jesus. When the next generation understand salvation and spiritual conversion, families, communities and nations are changed in the power of the Holy Spirit!
Building communities where children are welcome!
If you want Petra to help your congregation to be one which appeals to all age-groups and grows spiritually through multigenerational worship, please contact: me, Jenni, through jmeyer@petra.co.za
Jenni Meyer
Petra facilitator: training
Psalm 127:3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.
What a joy it is to see churches placing importance on intergenerational church and ministries.
Where you can see at least three, but up to four generations in a church – loving, worshipping, obeying and telling others about the goodness, love and forgiveness found in the Lord Jesus Christ.
The excitement of others is palpable as they see children and youth taking part in the church service, ministering to peers and older people.
Where an intergenerational church is in action, adults learn from children and children learn from those older than themselves.
A deep understanding and respect for one another, where love and forgiveness can be found across the age groups.
Ephesians 3: 21: “To Him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever”.
The Church (all generations) bring God glory here on earth.
God’s glory found in Jesus has been made known to all the generations, and Jesus’ glory has been promised to all the generations.
In the Old and New Testaments, the Biblical theme is that we all have value, and are highly favoured by the Godhead.
All ages have been created in the image of God.
The body of Christ (Whether young or old) are welcome and invited by Him to serve and lead in His Church.
Being intergenerational is found and described in His Word as His very nature, which is reflected in the lives of His worshippers.
What happens when this takes place? A transformation of Churches, peoples and cultures of all ages.
In Psalm 8 God uses children as His ambassadors.
He finds delight and great joy in those who obtain their strength in Him as opposed to self-sufficiency.
Jesus loved the children whilst on earth, as He loves them still – they are His favourites!
For Him, they really model greatness!
They can intimately know Him and His kingdom can be known by them!
Children are unlike the worldly wise.
They do not use their power, but humbly understand Jesus, His life, death and resurrection and in humility can lay their lives before the One who made heaven and earth!
Children can truly sing “Hosanna in the highest!”
Matthew 11: 25 - 26 At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will”.
What do we see in intergenerational churches?
Leadership fully embraces the Biblical mandate and encourages all age involvement and service.
This brings with it different perspectives, fresh ideas and creativity
- All generations lead worship, which meets the need of all
- Multi-age conversations take place in churches and ministries
- Community first and the needs of other regardless of the age
- Mentoring of children and youth
- Encouragement from children and youth to those older than themselves
- Children and adults ministering and praying with one another
- Faith story-telling taking place amongst the generations
- All generations feeling valued and served
- A further building of relationships and friendships across the age groups
- Spiritual formation strengthened amongst one another
- Inclusion of those not normally heard and / or the voice of the marginalised expressed
- Outreach, evangelism and discipleship taking place across the ages
Petra Institute offers training, as we build capacity in Churches, organisations, networks, families, and schools.
We are there to build relationships, network, mentor, strategise and consult in children’s ministry.
We listen carefully to the needs of church leadership and volunteers.
Our training is relational and practical, meeting the needs for adult learning.
Adults learn best when they have fun.
Our training is Biblical, using the experiential learning cycle and learning through discovery and dialogue.
When leaders are equipped in children’s ministry, they can enjoy and see the value in working with children and youth.
They lead better and understand others ministering to young people more fully.
Children are effectively ministered to, and many come to the saving knowledge of Jesus. When the next generation understand salvation and spiritual conversion, families, communities and nations are changed in the power of the Holy Spirit!
Building communities where children are welcome!
- FTD (first thousand days) – God, my baby and I advocacy / intergenerational workshops
- Entering the world of children
- Helping children grow in faith
- Entering the world of families
- Yearly online RCM (relational children’s ministry) and RFM (relational family ministry)
- Entering the world of after care centre
- Standing up against bullying
- Walking with wounded children
- TOT (trainer of trainers) for all the above courses
If you want Petra to help your congregation to be one which appeals to all age-groups and grows spiritually through multigenerational worship, please contact: me, Jenni, through jmeyer@petra.co.za
Jenni Meyer
Petra facilitator: training
Source: TCN / Jenni Meyer
Date Added: 2024-02-12
Category: General News, TCN News, Youth News, Childrens News, Issues - General,
Back to News IndexDate Added: 2024-02-12
Category: General News, TCN News, Youth News, Childrens News, Issues - General,
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