Having spent a significant number of years working with young people I just hope my approach was real and vital to the many souls I came in contact with.
The main thrust of the article is that small churches are uniquely equipped for success in todays culture. And from this stand point the article goes on to suggest that smaller groupings of Christians have better intergenerational relationships, that is young people are more likely to stay active in and around these churches.
Churches aside the article got me thinking about my mum, yes! mum. On reflection I believe she, assisted by dad fostered a key element in our family, namely intergenerational relationships. This usually took place at Easter and Christmas time when the Clan would get together as a large family group and have a bit of fun, heading off to some remote forest, or having a wacky time at their house. As our children grew up we would frequently traipse up to my sisters or brothers house for a good old chin wag dragging the children with us. At one time all 18 of us headed to Capernwray for a big family holiday. What has come out of these gatherings and times together?... Cousins who are all comfortable with one another... and a real sense of the big family.
Today of course our birds have all flown the nest but I suspect that each of our now separate family units will continue to do as mum did and have those special times when our children come together.
In todays church do we find this intergenerational mix? Most church programs to my mind fail to support this. Are we the poorer for this loss. Yes
January 2012March 2012
My Opera
