Principles in Multigenerational Community

LREDA Fall Conference 2008

Context

Rebecca Parker: Theological Grounding based on a model of wholeness

This Presentation: Basic Principles in Multigenerational Faith Community

Pathways Workshops: Provide Specific Examples of Multigenerationalism at Work

Goals

Develop a working definition of Multigenerational faith community.

Explore a Developmental Framework Begin to explore how to make change

in our congregations.

What does Generations mean to you?

Generational

=

Cultural

Multi-

Multi-

Congregational Generational Continuum

Mono-Generational

Church

Generationally Segregated

Church

Sudo-Integrated

Church

Multi-Generational

Church

Congregational Generational Continuum

Mono-Generational Church

Only one Age Group Present Most often people between the ages of 45 and

65 Sunday Morning Worship usually the only main

program If RE is present it is small and more like a

childcare program

Congregational Generational Continuum

Generationally Segregated Church

There might be 3 to 4 generations present RE is the realm of children, youth and their

parents Sunday worship is the realm of the middle aged

and seniors Generations rarely mix socially

Congregational Generational Continuum

Sudo-Integrated Church

Looks like the Generationally Segregated Church Main differences is specific and limited

intergenerational events like:Yearly youth worshipHoliday worshipChildren attend first part of service only

Congregational Generational Continuum

Multigenerational Church

There are programs present that are designed to meet the specific developmental needs of all generations

There are programs the regularly bring different generational groups together in meaningful ways

These two are part of an intentional church plan

Congregational Generational Continuum

Mono-Generational

Generationally Segregated

Sudo-Integrated

Multi-Generational

Only one Age Group Present

Most often people between the ages of 45 and 65

Sunday Morning Worship usually the only main program

If RE is present it is small and more like a childcare program

There might be 3 to 4 generations present

RE is the realm of children, youth and their parents

Sunday worship is the realm of the middle aged and seniors

Generations rarely mix socially

Looks like the Generationally Segregated Church

Main differences is specific and limited intergenerational events like:

Yearly youth worship

Holiday worship Children attend

first part of service only

There are programs present that are designed to meet the specific developmental needs of all generations

There are programs the regularly bring different generational groups together in meaningful ways

These two are part of an intentional church plan

Turn and Talk to a Neighbor

Where does your congregation fit on the continuum?

Components of Faith Development

Learning Worship Social Justice Community Leadership

Path of Faith DevelopmentTra

nsc

en

dent

Relational

Mature

Faith Development

Congregational Factors that Promote Growth and Faith Maturity

1. Effective and formal education program2. Members perceive that their congregation encourages

questions, challenges thinking, and expects learning.3. The congregation successfully recruits members to

volunteer to help people in need.4. Members perceive their Sunday worship is of high

quality.5. Members see their congregations as warm and friendly.6. Members personally experience other members care

and concern.

Search Institute Study Found Six Factors:

Eight Dimension of Mature Faith(Benson & Eklin, 1990)

5. Seeks to be part of community in which people witness to their faith and nourish one another.

6. Holds life affirming values, including a commitment to racial and gender equality, an affirmation of cultural and religious diversity and a personal sense of responsibility for the welfare of others.

7. Advocates social and global change to bring about social justice.

8. Serves humanity consistently and passionately through acts of love and justice.

Eight Dimension of Mature Faith(Benson & Eklin, 1990)

1. Trusts in God’s saving grace and believes firmly in the humanity and divinity of Jesus. For UUs - trusts in life and believes in inherent worth, one love for all.

2. Experiences a sense of personal well-being, security and peace.

3. Integrates faith and life and sees work, family, social relationships, and political choices as part of religious life.

4. Seeks spiritual growth through study, reflection, prayer and discussion with others.

Multigenerational as a Leadership Issue (Adapted from Rendle, 2008)

Train and challenge leaders to look beyond the “preferential”

When preferred practice is simply endorsed leaders have difficulty hearing and responding to new voices.

The task of a leader is to lead change and learn new ways.

Congregations mistake strategies for purpose as if the practice itself were holy and not an approach to the sacred.

Leaders must learn how choosing a practice will most faithfully fulfill the purpose of the congregation.

Multigenerational leadership is a way of seeing. Leaders need to be prepared to share the leadership table.

It is an act of radical hospitality which shapes a new community because of what we see.

Generational Cohorts The GI Generation - born 1901 - 1924 – hero

The Silent Generation - born 1925 - 1942 – artist

The Boom Generation - born 1943 - 1960 – prophet

Generation X - born 1961- 1981 – nomad

The Millennial Generation - born 1982 - 2005 - hero?

The Homeland Generation - born 2005 - 2025

Normative CultureD

om

inate

Gro

up

Dom

inate

Gro

up

Dominate Group’s

Developmental Needs

Historical Perspective

Way of doing things

Normative Culture Case Study

Large Congregational Meetings: Who Does What and Why?

Whether it’s the annual congregational service auction, stewardship dinner or spring fair (a.k.a. church clean-up) certain norms play out that can support or diminish multigenerational involvement.

Drawing on your own experience in organizing or contributing to one of these events in your congregation, think critically about who the planners are and how roles, tasks and contributions from every congregant, regardless of age, is considered and celebrated. What norms play out that support or diminish revolutionary, authentic multigenerational community?

What are your suggestions or ideas for how to change paternalistic norms to rethink how people can contribute and serve the congregation?

Normative Culture Case StudySmaller, Intimate Settings: Who is Marginalized in the Process?

Covenant Groups/Small Group Ministry. RE Council meetings. Sunday Worship planning. What group norms are present that determine who is and ISN’T at the table for the planning and implementation of the program or celebration of ministry? What steps are taken to include or marginalize different groups? How might we make every meeting accessible so that congregants feel included from planning to execution? What are the potential gains? What are the obstacles, both with individuals and within group behavior?

Tell Me Your Name, The One You Call Yourself.It can’t be given, only claimed. It can’t be stolen or bartered away.(Carolyn McDade, From We Are the Land We Sing, 1999)

Multicultural Community

Questions to Create Change

What is your place in the congregation generationally?

Questions to Create Change

What is the current status of your congregation? Where you at on the continuum? Who are the dominate

groups?

Questions to Create Change

Where do you have natural leverage?And,

Who do you need to get “buy in” from?

Questions to Create Change

What are the obstacles for working multigenerationally?

Questions to Create Change

What is the ultimate goal?

Questions to Create Change

What do you Imagine? What do you Dream?

Questions to Create Change

How does your dream differ from the dreams of other generational cohorts

in your congregation?

Questions to Create Change

How can you dream together?