During the last few weeks of Lent, our church offered us a resource that led us through the Psalms as we engage with our Lenten observances. Whenever I am immersed in the Psalms, I cannot help but see the language of generational discipleship woven through the songs. Here are five powerful ways that intergenerational relationships can transform a community of faith as described through the Psalms. Shared Spiritual Journey Psalm 78 is one of my favorites. This is the heart of a community’s spiritual journey. Faith communities serve as spaces where individuals embark on a shared spiritual journ ..read more

During the season of Lent, ReFocus is excited to invite a number of guest authors to share their thoughts on ways that all generations can engage with Lent and worship, learn, and grow together during this season. Today’s guest blogger is DeDe Reilly who serves as the Director of Family Ministries at Macland Community Church. She shares with us an example of an intergenerational gathering that incorporates all ages in a time of learning and loving together. Thank you, Dede, for sharing this story with us and offering inspiration as we plan our own intergenerational opportunities this Lenten se ..read more

So, why should a church “do” Intergenerational Ministry? Let’s be honest – for most churches, incorporating all ages into a worship community with times and spaces to learn, worship, and grow together doesn’t come naturally. And even when you do events where all ages can attend, everyone ends up clumping into age-specific groups and hanging out with people they already know. Why put in the effort to go against the tide and people’s natural inclinations? You may have asked these questions. You may have been asked these questions. And there is much to say, more than a blog can fit, but here are ..read more

It’s a good question. One that more than one parent has asked me. And, to be honest, over the years I’ve given different answers, based on my understanding of what it means to be a disciple and what discipleship looks like. The word disciple literally means “student, learner, or follower.”  Technically, the word disciple only appears as a noun. The idea of using “disciple” as an action verb is a strictly Christian usage. Generally, it is understood in Christian circles that “to disciple” someone is to help someone to become a follower of Jesus. Discipleship is the work of discipling. So ..read more

“But let justice roll down like waters,     and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” Amos 5:24 In his historic “I Have a Dream” speech during the 1963 March on Washington, Martin Luther King, Jr. declared: “We will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.” This line is actually a Bible verse found in the book of Amos. It comes after a series of verses where God outlines for Amos and the people. of Israel a litany of things that He is decidedly uninterested in. The Message Bible translates it this way: “I can’t stan ..read more

The packages have been opened, the treats have been enjoyed, trips have been taken, and a vague sense of normalcy is beginning to return to homes. Bedtimes start to be reinforced again. Twinkling lights disappear and houses “go dark.” Slowly but surely we leave the “most wonderful time of the year” behind us. If your family is like mine, the adjustment from the wonder of Christmas or the carefree schedules of vacation or the adventures of spring and fall breaks to the monotony of everyday life can be rocky.  Over the past few years, there’ve been a few things that have helped us eas ..read more

The other day I had someone say to me, “I love reading your blog and I like your thoughts on discipleship in the home but I don’t even know how to get started.  I don’t think of those things like you do.  Where do I start?” It’s a good question and one that I have heard expressed many times before.  Acknowledgment of the need for faith formation at home is often overshadowed by fears of implementation. How do you “see God in the everyday”? How do you begin to prepare for a “faith talk”? What in the world does it mean to “speak a blessing” over your kids? Add to that the o ..read more

Intergenerational Community… what exactly does that mean? When we talk about certain things, like community, we bring to the conversation all the defining characteristics of that thing that we’ve gained over our years. Martin Minsky calls these words “suitcase words“; words that need unpacked because they carry a lot of meaning. For example the word, “Community” means different things to different people. Because I have read Living into Community: Cultivating Practices that Sustain Us by Christine Pohl, I include the practices of gratitude, promise-keeping, truth-telling and hospitality in my ..read more

BRING THEM TO CHURCH Saturate their lives with the Word of God. Even if they lay on the floor. Even if they need 437 goldfish and a sucker to be quiet. Even if you stand in the back swaying back and forth holding them. Even when it’s hard. Even when your row looks like a small hurricane just came through. Bring them to church. Let them see you worship. Let them see you pray. Let them see you running toward the Savior … because if they don’t see and learn these things from you, who are they going to learn them from?… This post makes its rounds on Facebook every few months and usually, I hit t ..read more

If your church is looking for a way to get the family together at church, here are five different approaches that could help make that happen. These ideas come from a variety of different church backgrounds and traditions, so they may not ALL work for your ministry context, but chances are one might strike a chord and you will be able to begin working towards more and more times where the family experiences faith formation together with their faith community. Family Worship Sundays  Many churches have begun offering times of Family Worship, often once a month or on fifth Sundays, where th ..read more