Often in ministry with women we hear over and over about the issue of not being able to connect generations of women effectively. Learning about the generations is one way to see through the perspectives of the others around you. Once we understand each other, it’s easier to make the connections.
I want to share some other practical ideas that we gleaned from leaders who met together this past spring. They shared insight on how they have successfully connected generations.
Here are some of the ideas they shared:
- Intentionally have all generations serve as volunteers at events so the event is multigenerational in appeal.
- Make a game out of teaching women to use social media. Hold a contest to see who can get a photo of 4 generations and post it first.
- Expose leaders in your church to the different demographics in your church. One church does a Straight Talk event which exposes elders to the single woman demographic in the church. Table hostesses are older, married ladies (or you could have two different table hostesses—an older and a younger woman). You could substitute other demographics of women as well.
- Host an event with 1 main focus, where women can also choose 1 breakout focus (so all women are getting their own experience out of it while doing it all together)
- Assign older groups and younger groups at the same table and do a small group match-up.
- Try a Leader Swap where a young adult leader goes to teach the senior adult group and vice versa.
- Host a Titus 2 Connection event: a panel with the generations about the generations, exposing all women to the uniqueness of each. Incorporate a time of praying together.
Chris Adams is senior lead women’s ministry specialist at Lifeway Christian Resources in Nashville, Tenn. Learn more about Chris here.
