Welcome back to another episode of the Think Orange Podcast. Today, we’re talking intergenerational neighboring. What’s intergenerational neighboring? Simply put: It’s about the intentionality of reaching every age group. We know that age groups in church tend to stick together, but to build transformational relationships that grow us spiritually and grow the church, we need to think past our own generation. On this episode, Chuck Bomar tells us why thinking intergenerationally is vital for the church and the next generation. Then, we’re joined by Virginia Ward in the studio for an incredible conversation on what successful intergenerational neighboring looks like and how you can practically start in your church.

Welcome to Episode 14 of the Think Orange Podcast.

Topic Timeline:

It’s mission season: Ashley’s stories from Uganda (00:00)

Introduction to Chuck and Virginia Ward on Intergenerational Neighboring (3:55)

A special deal on Orange Curriculum (5:23)

Chuck on the disconnect between generations in church (7:05)

Focusing on the theological beauty of diversity (10:10)

We have a responsibility to value discipline people who are younger, both in age and spiritually, than us (11:50)

We need to value family (but be careful how we use the word family) (16:00)

We need to put value on others (19:22)

Embracing the value of quality over quantity (23:05)

Joseph Sojourner and Virginia Ward (20:00)

What is intergenerational neighboring? (29:35)

How do you reach the millennials without angering the tithers? (30:20)

Building relationships between generations (31:35)

How to execute intergenerational neighboring with a lack of resources, staff or volunteers (33:40)

Where to start (38:35)

What’s one thing you can do today to help the people in your church who are resistant to change? (42:17)

Is being “for our neighbors” a ministry opportunity? (44:55)

When you have a diverse cast communicating the message, but not constructing the message (51:30)

How do we help the next generation think intergenerational? (55:40)

Dave and Ashley unpack today’s lessons (1:01:10)