Across Generational Lines
Have you ever noticed how people who are a different age than you can act differently than you do? Maybe it is a cultural reference, maybe it is a saying that you have, maybe it is something else, but each generation is slightly different. For instance, the way that we grow up listening to music is different. A member of Gen-Z grew up listening to music using an iPod, or an iPhone while a member of the Baby Boomer generation grew up with records, the radio, and some cassette tapes.
In many cases these differences seem minor and most of the time they are. But sometimes generational differences become more important. One area where generational differences matter is in ministry. Generational differences are not bad; instead, they can strengthen our walk with God.
See, as Christians we are called to work with people from all generations to grow closer to God. We could compare the family of God to a healthy plate of food. To eat a nutritious meal you need some protein, some carbohydrates, some fruit, and some vegetables. If we skip these different types of food then we will end up with an unbalanced meal. The same is true in the church.
The Church, both globally and locally, must have younger and older members to be at its healthiest. Titus 2 provides a great reason why. Titus 2:2-5 says:
“Older men are to be self-controlled, worthy of respect, sensible, and sound in faith, love, and endurance. In the same way, older women are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not slaves to excessive drinking. They are to teach what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands and to love their children, to be self-controlled, pure, workers at home, kind, and in submission to their husbands, so that God’s word will not be slandered.”
Do you see what is referenced in that passage? Older men need to model certain characteristics, then older women need to model certain characteristics and then, older women are called to teach what is good to younger women!
The Biblical model for ministry requires that older, or more mature believers pass on mentor or disciple younger believers. This requires working across generational lines.
In some ways, this is reminiscent of Colossians 3:11 which says, “In Christ there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all.” Similarly, there is no room for division based on age or generational comfort.
At Cornerstone, one of our core values is Community. Sometimes we can think about Community almost as though it is reserved for certain people only, or just our friends. But we are called to enjoy a Christian community that goes far beyond our friends and even spreads across generational lines.
Over the next several weeks we are going to look at how our generational backgrounds strengthen our walk with God and how we can cross these generational lines together so that we can effectively make disciples of God’s Church.
This week, let me give you one great place to start. This upcoming Sunday, find someone who is not a part of your generation and start a conversation with them. Let me give one more specific challenge- ask them what they read in the Bible this week! Together we can normalize inter-generational ministry that features intentional and deep conversations about God.
Pastor Daniel