StoryWorks

Bridging Generational Differences at Church
via youtube.com

The first time I watched this video, I was completely caught off guard. I mean, it's hilarious.

Then I dug a bit and found this note on the You Tube video:

This was the opening video for our Student Fall Retreat called "You've Got Talent." Everyone is asking what inspired this. Here it goes...

1) We needed a great opening video that caught everyone off guard, and set the the tone for the weekend.

2) With this idea in mind, we thought we could use this video as a great object lesson about media choices (kinda creepy hearing your grandparents sing some of this)

3) This has been a GREAT transgenerational culture experiment. It has totally bridged a gap with our Senior adults and our students. Hope you enjoy!

In my church, we've been blessed with a huge number of new members in the last five years. Nearly all of these members are under 35. They are giving a higher rates that other members and they are a very active part of the congregation.

Some of our long time members, many of whom are over 75, are feeling a bit displaced. They have a different way of doing church and they are a little overwhelmed at the pace of change in our congregation.

I don't know what church created this video and I'm not sure of their theology, but I am sure that they were trying to address a similar generational divide. My guess is that they succeeded.

If our church is any guide, the divide isn't really age, but a comfort level with the pace of change. In my view, change is a sign of a healthy congregation. But try telling that to those who fear change or want to stop it.

What ideas do you have to make people a little more comfortable with the changes necessary to keep a congregation thriving?

Filed under: church Funky Fresh Senior Choir generational differences healthy congregations
11
To Posterous, Love Metalab