How to bridge the generational gap between children and adults during COVID

BE EQUIPPED TO GENERATE A CULTURE OF INTERGENERATIONAL DISCIPLESHIP IN THE LIFE OF YOUR CHURCH

A few weeks ago my church met back in person for the first time in 16 weeks. After not having had face to face fellowship and community in so long, it was really good! It was different, and a little bit awkward, but it was so good.

Afterwards, I reflected on some of the things that were different. I realised one of the things that was different was that it was very quiet. Partly because we couldn’t sing but mostly because the children were missing.

Like many churches, we are dealing with COVID safe regulations that are new and difficult. These regulations include limiting the number of people in each room and on the church property. These regulations mean that we cannot have all the children and adults together in one space. This means that when church starts, instead of starting the service with everyone together, children start in their children’s ministry space, while adults meet in the church hall.

Church is quiet. It’s a sad quiet. It’s sad because it represents that our whole church family isn’t able to meet together. Those first 15 minutes in church together are significant in the life of church. They are an expression of what and who church is - God’s people, of all generations, gathered together. Meeting all in the one space at the beginning helps us bridge the generational gap.

Under normal circumstances I would say that theology, not pragmatics, should drive our ministry practices. I still believe this even though it is a little more complex than it was 6 months ago. Now is the time to get creative and find new ways to express our theology about the role of children in the church family, and to make sure we continue to bridge the generational gap.

Continuing Kids Talks

Whether you call them ‘kids talks’, ‘family spots’ or something else, these are an opportunity to have the whole church family learn together. It is also a time that parents get to hear what their children are learning in their ministries. It is a time where the whole church can be equipped with the language to talk about the bible with children. A well prepared and delivered kids’ talk can be the highlight of church service for kids and adults alike!

The children might be in a different physical space but kids talks don’t need to stop. Pre-recording your kids talk or zooming it into your church service is a great way to continue this expression of our theology that children are full and equal members of church. Communicating clearly with everyone about why you’re showing the kids’ talk to adults, will help people to engage well. It will encourage parents and other invested adults to talk to the children about what they have learnt. You can also encourage adults to share what they have been learning with children.

Allowing children to serve

Over the last few months, many of us have become quite used to watching videos of people praying of reading the Bible as part of our online services. Even as we return to face to face church, using videos is a great way to give people an opportunity to serve.

Inviting children or families to read the BIble or lead prayers through video is a great way for members in the church community to continue serving. This will allow families to serve in a new and meaningful way.

Please ensure that this is done within Safe Ministry guidelines and with written permission from parents.

Interviews & Vox Pops

While our church was not meeting, we had pre-recorded services which often included interviews with different people from church. It was one of the things I looked forward to the most because I got to hear from people who I could no longer see regularly. I could hear how they were feeling, what challenges they might be facing and how I could pray for them. This made me feel connected to people in my church family and gave me a sense of fellowship with others even if we weren’t meeting face to face. 

For some churches interviews will continue to happen in person during the church service. But with children not in the service we can no longer hear their stories. Interviews and Vox Pop videos are important because they allow children to share highlights from children’s ministry, talk about things they are learning about God and things they want prayer for. Allowing the wider church to hear these stories will help create a sense of connectedness and fellowship across the generations, even when we can’t gather together in the same space. It will allow the whole church family to celebrate the work that God is doing in the life of our young people.

The same principles applies to allowing children to hear from adults. Interviews and Vox Pop videos of adults sharing can also be used in kids’ church.

We’re not the only ones missing out by being in separate spaces. Children are missing the influence of having Christian adults around them who can model faith and guide them in the truths of the gospel. If you have the technology available doing these as a ‘live cross’ would be a treat for everyone too.

These are just some starting ideas. Each week will be an opportunity to try new things to help our churches express our unity in new and creative ways. Some will work better than others and that’s okay.

What can you do at church this week to keep bridging they generational gap?