London subways play a recorded announcement when the doors open: “Mind the gap.”

This simple phrase provides a gentle warning to passengers exiting not to trip over the space between the subway floor and station platform. There is another gap that also needs minding — the generation gap, which, in the church, is often wide and easy to trip over.

Sociologists call this field of study generational theory. William Strauss and Neil Howe’s 1991 work, Generations: The History of America’s Future, 1584 to 2069, catapulted generational theory into broad acceptance. The most recognizable contribution of this work was the generational definitions (i.e., G.I., Silent, Boomers, Generation X and the Millennial Generation).

Although these designations prove informative to an extent, Strauss and Howe’s work comes with weaknesses, one of which is its American perspective. Such a narrow perspective cannot adequately address the growing need of multiethnic and multicultural ministry. Neither can it address the fact that ethnic similarities are just as strong, if not stronger, than age similarities. In addition, awareness of the characteristics of an age group is no substitute for a real cross-generational relationship. However, by approaching the gap with a biblical perspective enhanced with understanding of current research, leaders can shrink that gap and bring generations closer together.

I can see why gaps exist, though. Generations tend to view life through completely different lenses. Younger people are generally not impressed with degrees, titles and ecclesiastical structures. They also tend to ask a lot questions. Sometimes it is easy for older people to perceive a younger person’s questions as rebellious or disrespectful. It takes maturity to listen and, if someone has difficult questions, to resist responding defensively.

Some church leaders doubt that a multigenerational, diverse congregation can grow and adapt to a constantly changing culture. When leaders feel frustrated by the generation gap and try to implement change too quickly, self-sabotage can occur, fracturing churches. Not many leaders enjoy navigating the tension of a group stretched between fear of changing too quickly and the frustration of moving too slowly. Nevertheless, most leaders serve in established congregations with this reality. Unless a person plants a new, zero-history, narrowly targeted church, his or her reality resides in serving an age-diverse congregation.

A Biblical Foundation

Studying the theme of generations in Scripture, it is clear that each generation has a responsibility to the next, as Deuteronomy 6:6­–7 notes: “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children.”

Psalm 145:4 declares, “One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.”

The relationships between Elijah and Elisha, Naomi and Ruth, and Paul and Timothy also provide examples of deep intergenerational relationships. In 1 Timothy 5:1–3, Paul shares his concern for all generations when he instructs Timothy to care for both younger and older men and women. He explains in Titus 2:3–5 the role of older women in training younger women. Scripture prescribes an intergenerational approach, presenting the multiple generations of the family of God as interdependent and necessary for discipleship.

Just as biblical generations differed widely from one another but had the same doctrine and Spirit working within them, the multiple generations in today’s churches can respect one another’s differences and operate as united in the Spirit. In a sense, the older generation has a parental responsibility toward the younger. It is not the role of spiritual parents to force the younger generation into a mold but to motivate them toward all that Christ calls them to become.

Components of an Intergenerational Church

When I began pastoring and studying the generation gap, I had two ideas I thought were true. First, I suspected that music might be the single greatest determinant of a congregation’s generational tension. Second, I believed that if a church were healthy, generational tensions would not exist. As is turns out, both notions were false.

Instead, as a result of my research, I discovered three vital components to an intergenerational church: shared purpose, unity of the Spirit and intentional faith practices.

1. Shared purpose. A biblical, shared purpose keeps the mission of God for the church at the forefront of every change. Leaders must connect church changes to the purpose that every generation shares in the work of God. A wise pastor I worked with used to say regularly, “We are always pastoring two churches at one time — the church we are and the one we are becoming.”

Our church’s shared mission involves connecting people with God, with one another and with their purpose in life. Leaders must communicate that mission regularly through illustrations and stories.

2. Unity of the Spirit. Generational differences can threaten a church’s unity and, ultimately, its witness. Younger people usually define themselves by self-distinction, by being different from their forebears, whether in music, vocabulary or dress. This push to define themselves shows up in church life, too. How leaders handle this reality says a great deal about their ability to see a difference between essentials and nonessentials.

Scripture encourages believers to do their best to let God’s Spirit unite them: “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3).

The church unifies in essentials and nonessentials.

No matter how diverse a church is, it will not succeed without having unity in the essentials of faith. Passion for an intergenerational church must arise not so much from generational agreement as from the need for all men and women to reconcile to God through faith in Jesus Christ. The intended outcome of an intergenerational church is not unity for unity’s sake. Rather, it is turning the power and pleasure of God uniquely expressed in a diverse church outward to bless the community, point all people to Christ and fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19–20).

Nonessentials require generous grace. What should a person do when he or she disagrees with someone from a different generation? Conflict can arise when people turn preferences into values. Leaders must disagree with people within clear boundaries of biblical reason and mutual respect.

A healthy leader stands up for what he or she believes is right without striking back in a malicious way. How a leader manages differences reveal as much about what that person believes as the messages he or she preaches. The balance of biblical boundaries and respect often transforms generationally strained churches into powerhouses for God.

Intergenerational churches provide fertile ground for mentoring.

3. Intentional practices. Though unity of the Spirit is a work of God, it does not just happen. Leaders must take intentional steps to turn vision into reality. Intentionality is both an action and attitude.

Generational diversity is a defining feature of an intergenerational church’s community life, ministries and events. That diversity must permeate and inform every corridor of the church. To build an intergenerational church, leaders must empower generationally diverse people — from the pulpit to the nursery and at every stop in between, in vocational and volunteer posts alike.

Hallmarks of Intentionality

Intentional, intergenerational churches exhibit five hallmarks: partnerships with parents; strategic mentoring; blended services; faith-building stories; and serving opportunities. Many churches try one or more of these practices to encourage the generations. However, few intentionally do all of them together.

1. Partnering with parents. Parental influence plays a major role in shaping children’s faith. Intergenerational churches equip parents to function as spiritual leaders in the home. Children without supportive parents need their spiritual family to help. One way churches can partner with parents is by celebrating a child’s spiritual milestones. One retired minister I know buys a new Bible every year to give to a high school graduate. Throughout the year, he reads that Bible and writes notes in it aimed at encouraging the young person in his or her faith.

2. Strategic mentoring. Intergenerational churches provide fertile ground for mentoring, which can happen formally through programs and informally through regular interaction. In addition to age-based or life-stage groups, churches may consider affinity groups, designed around a mutual interest. These groups can become a place for older adults to engage younger people. The challenge for every church is to make sure that through the years they invite the next generation to step up and really lead.

3. Blended services. Some churches are so segmented into age groups and are so tailor-made for individualistic preferences that attending church feels more like an educational system than participation in the family of God. In contrast, blended services engage the family of God in worship because leaders can include youth leaders to serve on the main worship team, they can make sure song selections overlap with student services and they can involve younger and older people in planning services or include some traditional elements like responsive reading in the services. Leaders can encourage both old and young to worship together for the sake of wisdom and vitality for all.

Leaders can encourage both old and young to worship together for the sake of wisdom and vitality for all.

Music is an important part of blended worship services and often presents a source of generational tension. Conflicts about music arise because of musical tastes and sound levels. Some congregations solve the problem by having one traditional and one contemporary service, though these terms are ill-defined.

Whatever the structure, services should not foster a vendor-consumer disposition, as this approach might contribute to a self-centeredness that hampers genuine community and outreach. The focus in worship with all generations should be the adoration of God, not mere entertainment or tradition. Members of the congregation need to live with grace toward one another on nonessentials. Older generations have a greater responsibility to defer to the needs of the younger generation rather than vice versa, much like parents to children.

4. Faith-building stories. Faith-building stories include the telling of Bible stories and personal testimonies. Psalm 71:18 declares, “Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.”

Declaring the gospel to the next generation is the most important faith practice. Emphasis on saving time during the worship service sometimes prevents the telling of Bible stories or relating of personal testimonies. Faith-building stories give people perspective. By practicing storytelling, leaders, parents and churches declare God’s power to the next generation.

5. Serving opportunities. Intergenerational churches will intentionally plan opportunities that involve children, youth, adults and seniors serving together. Multiple generations serving the Lord together minimize age differences. Although churches should not involve people — especially young people — in service opportunities just for the sake of keeping them busy, a remarkable correlation exists between one’s involvement at church and his or her faith. Involving a cross-section of the church’s people is a hallmark of diverse churches. Giving young people leadership roles in the church and supporting them are vital to developing the next generation of leaders.

Managing the Generation Gap

The generation gap can leave any leader disappointed and feeling helpless. If not minded well, the gap can exhaust the leader, wearing him or her down with fatigue and even anger. One way to cope is blaming others, rationalizing away personal responsibility. Another way is to stop caring entirely. When people of different generations stop caring about one another, they are all in serious peril. Either way, it is not what God wants for His Church.

Leaders can fill the generation gap with purpose, unity of the Spirit and intentional faith practices. All of this requires a fundamental dependence on the Holy Spirit. Faith is a gift of the Holy Spirit, as well as a commitment to cooperate with God and trust Him, regardless of the experience. Faith in God will help leaders focus on what they can do to lead and let go of the things they cannot control.

Mike McCrary, D.Min. is the senior associate pastor at Central Assembly of God in Springfield, Missouri. This article originally appeared in the June/July issue of Influence. For more print content, subscribe here.