As followers of Christ, we are called to be family together, but there can be a concern of disconnect intergenerationally, as churches seek to meet the needs of their congregation from creche programmes to content for their most seasoned parishioners. The InterGenerate Conference is an international gathering of Christians from a range of traditions who seek to learn more about how we can do church in a way that brings together people at all stages of their lives and faith journeys.  

The 2019 conference had over 200 registrants from the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Due to Coronavirus travel restrictions, this year’s conference was held virtually over Zoom with high international turnout. InterGenerate focuses on the importance of building church culture for all ages and understanding the ways this can strengthen us as family.

One of the workshops from this year’s conference was held by Cory Seibel, entitled, How Intergenerational Connections Really Benefit a Faith Community. Cory is a site pastor at Central Baptist Church in Edmonton, Alberta and is passionate about the need for intergenerational ministry in our churches.

Archdeacon Pete Watson, of St Matthew’s parish in Masterton has been encouraged by this workshop to open the discussion further out into our diocese. He will be running three Zoom evenings to debrief Cory Seibel’s workshop and to share on putting Cory’s teachings into practice in our own communities.

Pete wants to help parishes begin these conversations, becoming open to “unpack the value of building strong relationships across all generations of our church family and continue to grow disciples, who disciple others and give their best for the least, the last and the lost. The key to this conversation is that there is no silver bullet, but it’s a starting point for a conversation of why we do what we do. I have personally seen the value of intergenerational ministry in deepening the life of a faith community. The hope is that this Zoom discussion is a safe place to dream, to share stories of successes and failure, and to encourage each other as scattered leaders in our diocese to continue on a transformational journey.”

By Holly Morton

The Zoom gatherings will be held on Thursday 15th, 22nd and 29th October in the evening from 7:30pm - 9pm.

These evenings will finish with the diocese night prayer on Zoom.