How intergenerational is your church?

Major David Betteridge (Director of Family Ministries) and Liz Hall (Deputy Director of Family Ministries) introduce a new Intergenerational Church Assessment Tool.

Who do you see or think of when you hear the word ‘everybody’? You might see the congregation within which you worship, but maybe not everyone’s faces clearly. You might see the group you volunteer with or the musical sections you rehearse with once a week. We tend to limit ‘everybody’ to the people we know well, spend most time with or are most like us – perhaps our family, closest friends or a small group?

A corps announcement can sometimes reveal the conundrum of the word ‘everybody’: ‘Everybody is invited, including our older people’s ministry and parent and toddler families.’ We seem to have to articulate who ‘everyone’ is, because we are anxious that some people might need to be reminded that they are included.

The UK and Ireland Territory defines intergenerational church as nurturing Christ-centred community by intentionally engaging two or more generations to be mutually invested in serving, sharing, worshipping and learning. We believe we are most fully the family of God when we journey together, seeking to love God and love others.

Within The Salvation Army, there are so many spaces and places where generations are all in this together, but historically – and with good intentions – churches have become places where learning about Jesus is divided into age groups: primary, children, youth, adults, older adults.

Of course, we do often worship together in a room with people of different ages, but are we connecting meaningfully with each other? Do we really value the experience, the learning about relationships, knowing that each person belongs, is needed and valued, and can add fullness to everybody’s experience and faith journey?

During a tri-territorial webinar, we connected with Captain Missy Ditchburn, who is leading the development of intergenerational ministry in the New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa Territory. Outreach Mission Partner Rachel Gotobed developed this relationship and, through regular online collaboration, we have shared learning, ideas and resources. Missy describes a growing emphasis on creating communities of belonging, where every generation is valued and able to contribute. Grounded in the biblical image of ‘many parts, but one body’ (1 Corinthians 12:20), corps and settings are being encouraged to reflect on their current ministry models and take intentional steps towards greater intergenerational connection. Storytelling, traditions and shared experiences can help strengthen relationships, and Missy has travelled around the country to lead services themed around flourishing faith communities.

In the UK and Ireland Territory, an outcome of this shared learning is the development of an Intergenerational Church Assessment Tool – a way for corps and centres to evaluate how they are doing in creating an authentic intergenerational culture.

Designed to help corps reflect honestly and constructively, it provides an opportunity to pause, notice what is already happening and identify areas for growth. This matters because intergenerational church is an expression of the family of God as revealed through Scripture, where generations journey together in faith. It creates opportunities for wisdom, experience and faith to be shared, deepens discipleship and helps cultivate resilient faith across all ages.

Ultimately, the tool is about intentional movement rather than achieving a score. Corps and settings can recognise and celebrate strengths, start conversations and identify achievable next steps towards richer, more connected Christ-centred communities where everyone has something to receive and give.

The resource is being piloted in four divisions so that assessment and evaluation can be a truly intergenerational experience through focus groups where all generations are invited to participate.