Worship Weblog

Sunnyside Book Group – Third Meeting

Posted by cicw

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

Book Groups

We invited 34 book groups across the U.S. and Canada to meet and discuss The Church of All Ages and its implications for their worship, and to share their notes here.
Learn more

Key Theme:
Intergenerational Worship: As we see it modeled now—and
How can it continue to be a priority in our churches?

HOW WE SEE INTERGENERATIONAL WORSHIP MODELED NOW:
Katie: It has become a way of life because we have mentors in our church for every stage of life. Intergenerational LIFE groups have developed a whole generational support family around us.

Doug: I went from being an ‘attender’ as a college student to being involved now in the Media Shout aspect. I have gained by giving!

David: I have never before been part of a church that is so intergenerationally involved until now.

Harold: Our GEMS group and the church connecting with that age. Involving them in worship is a tribute to their leaders.

David: We had a mother and a daughter give their testimony and at our last Youth service, the youth truly did all the planning!

Harold: It thrills my heart to see all the children come forward for the Children’s worship time!

Katie: Our church involves all generations in worship musically. A ‘Lay’ person prays for the pastor before he preaches and all ages are used for that. We had a Bible Study on Titus 2 called “Apples of Gold” where the older women in the church led groups and became our mentors. The ‘older served the younger’! Missions groups involve parents and their children. Mothers Day we had a video of kids saying ‘I love you’ to their moms. We need to keep being intentional in getting the generations together.

*it was noted that the local CRC has many different meal times together—breakfasts and Soup and Taco dinners. When someone asked how we get ages to mix when eating, the answer was that it is so full in the social hall you have to sit where there is room and not just with your own friends!
Renae: I love how we sometimes have families lead worship where there is sometimes 3 generations represented!

Twyla: We sing out of the older hymnal which I think the older people love. We have a blended worship service in the morning with a children’s message before the kids go out. We have a praise team consisting of high school students.

David: ( I appreciate ) the significance of the church being the family of God. As young marrieds we went to a ‘college’ age-specific church where we were catered to. Now we are in an intergenerational church and there is a lot to the idea of being a church family! Sunnyside CRC has helped me really appreciate that God’s church is His family!

HOW CAN INTERGENERATIONAL WORSHIP BE MADE A PRIORITY IN OUR CHURCHES?
Harold: The significance of children (in the book) comes through loud and clear. The Church must focus on it so when children of today look back on their early years it will be positive.

Joe: My take-away from this (book) is the confirmation that intergenerational worship is biblical and worth striving for. As a preacher I will try my best to include something for every age group into each message. As a pastor, I will consciously seek to make eye contact and converse with people of all ages. My greatest challenge is to connect with the dads in the church (the guys who are always working and who demonstrate little sincere interest in the things of God).

Twyla: Reading and talking about Intergenerational Worship has made me more aware of the generational differences, which are neither good nor bad, but different. Good thoughts to consider and talk about with others.

Lou: Parents need to be taught how to help their kids worship.

Katie: Our church offers parenting classes. It takes intent to go! Our pastor has also written a book entitled If Jesus were a Parent and it is given to parents.

Lou: (Page 141)—we need to learn each other’s names!

Tags: bgsunnyside, Book Groups 2009, intergenerational