Intergenerational Christian Formation: Bringing the Whole Church Together in Ministry, Community, and Worship by Holly Catterton Allen, Christine Lawton Ross, and Cory Seibel. InterVarsity Press, 2023. Hardback, 329 pages. Price varies, but generally around $31.00 new.
Holly, Christine and Cory are all from different faith backgrounds, but come together as authors with experience in Intergenerational Christian Formation.
This book is widely considered the foundational textbook on all-age ministry. The book challenges age-segregated church models, arguing that intergenerational interaction is essential for healthy, enduring spiritual growth.
The authors examine the biblical precedent for community-wide, all-age engagement, drawing on the concept of the Body of Christ to show how every demographic relies on one another.
The book relies on developmental, learning, and ecological systems theories to demonstrate that faith is best retained when youth learn through lived participation alongside older, more experienced believers.
Beyond heavy academic frameworks, the book is praised for its practical steps, including strategies to incorporate intergenerationally into worship, small groups, and service projects.
It provides concrete resources such as a list of biblical texts that support cross-generational living and a catalog of 40 specific intergenerational activity ideas.
This text is highly recommended for preachers, church planters, Christian education directors, and ministry students seeking to transition their congregations from multigenerational (where age groups merely sit in the same building) to intergenerational (where different ages actively interact and learn together).
Sally Shank