SYMPOSIUM
OVERVIEW
The Future of Intergenerational Christian Faith
Formation
October 9-11, 2014
Symposium Goals
 Identify best practices in intergenerational
ministry and faith formation
 Explore a diversity of models of
intergenerational community, learning, prayer,
service, worship
 Develop directions and strategies for the
future of intergenerational ministry and faith
formation
What is a Symposium?
 A meeting to discuss a particular subject.
 A collection of essays or papers on a particular
subject by a number of contributors.
 A drinking party or convivial discussion, especially as
held in ancient Greece after a banquet (and notable
as the title of a work by Plato).
Thursday Schedule
 1:00 - Session 1. The Growth & Development
of Intergenerational Ministry & Faith
Formation
 5:00 - Break
 5:30 - Dinner
 6:30 - Session 2. Models of Intergenerational
Ministry & Faith Formation
Friday Schedule
 8:00 - Breakfast
 9:00 - Session 3. Principles for




Intergenerational Ministry & Faith Formation
12 - Lunch
1:30 - Session 4. Envisioning the Future of
Intergenerational Ministry & Faith Formation
5:30 - Dinner
6:30 - Session 5. Developing Strategies for
Bringing the Future to Life
Saturday Schedule
 7:30 - Breakfast
 8:30 - Session 6. Implementing Strategies for
the Future of Intergenerational Ministry &
Faith Formation
 11:30 - Close
Session 1. Growth & Development
1. Contributions to Intergenerational Faith Formation:
2.
3.
4.
5.
Recent History
What We Have Seen and Heard – Holly, Jim, and
Kathie
Storytelling in Generational Groups
Reporting to the Whole Group
Similarities and Differences across the Generations
Storytelling
1. How did you get involved in intergenerational
ministry and faith formation? What motivated you?
2. How has intergenerational faith formation and
ministry evolved in your congregation (or the
churches you serve) since you became more
intentional about intergenerationality?
3. What impact has intergenerational faith formation
had on
• the leaders
• those who are participating
• on the faith community as-a-whole
Session 2. Models & Approaches
1. Overview of Models of Intergenerational Ministry &
Faith Formation
2. Effective Models, Approaches, & Programs We Have
Created/Seen - Holly, Jim, and Kathie
3. Groups Organized by Five Elements of Church Life –
Caring, Celebrating, Learning, Praying, and Serving –
to Surface Models, Approaches, and Programs
4. Publishing Reports: Models and Effectiveness
Factors
Group Work
Organize into groups around the five elements of an
intergenerational faith community:
 Caring
 Celebrating
 Learning
 Praying
 Serving
2. Surface models, approaches, and programs for your
element (or integration of multiple elements)
3. Write the models and brief description on newsprint.
4. Identify the factors that make these models,
approaches, and programs effective.
1.
Session 3: Principles
1. Survey Results on Principles for Intergenerational
Ministry and Faith Formation
2. Important Principles for Intergenerational Ministry
& Faith Formation from Research and Experience Holly, Jim, and Kathie
3. Kindred Groups to Review Principles (pastors, faith
formation leaders, youth ministry leaders,
publishers, seminary professors, trainers, and
consultants)
4. Publishing Reports
Group Work
Kindred Groups: pastors, faith formation leaders, youth
ministry leaders, publishers, seminary professors,
trainers, and consultants
1. Use the survey research and the presentations to
add the principles that guide the practice of
intergenerational ministry and faith formation.
Consider areas such as 1) Christian identity , 2)
relational/community, 3) developmental; 4)
learning & growth, and 5) leadership.
2. Connect the principles to practices (action) using
the models, approaches, and programs identified
earlier. Write these on newsprint.
Session 4: Envisioning the Future
1. Creative Activity: Images of the Future (generational
groups)
• Develop your own personal image of the future of
a intergenerational ministry and faith formation.
Use art, symbols, words, etc.
2. Images of the Future - Holly, Jim, Kathie
3. Group Work: Share your image(s) with your group.
Work together to weave the individual images into
an integrated group vision (on a large sheet of
newsprint).
Themes for the Future
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Community grows together deeper; and then moves outward to
the world
Part of a generative community of God’s love that consists of
people on a journey together: dynamic with elements of surprise,
relationships are forming and reforming, all embracing God’s love,
peace, trust, lack of fear, sense of joy, impossible to do alone;
vessels for the message and tools for the mission, contagious
creative, AMEN!!!!
Potential; Christ-story; vocation
All connected
With – God is with us; Mary-Joseph-Jesus; we are with part of a
“neighborhood” – to be for – to – be with
Inviting and welcoming ALL, with opportunities to grow together in
love and service to God and one another
The Body of Christ
Vine and Branches – many different shapes coming off the vine
Themes
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
Scripture – fulfillment of God’s plan
Journey – Centered – Rooted
Connectedness, Movement, Grace
Interconnection, Innovation, and Impact
Diversity, stories, relationships, making disciples, formed to
go forth
Inclusiveness – decision-making for future generations
Ministry of reconciliation and restoration
Growth, life, unity, we, Jesus, fluid process, interconnected,
eternal, robertology, pinot noir
Sustainability, done through renewable spiritual resources
Praying for future generations
Future
• To bring to life the vision of the future of
intergenerational ministry and faith formation,
WE NEED TO….
• Identify the top priorities for your kindred
group.
• Write the list on a sheet of paper.
Session 4: Envisioning the Future
4. Viewing Images of the Future
5. Finding Common Images or Characteristics of the
Future
• Work as a group to identify themes for an
emerging vision of the future of intergenerational
faith formation and ministry that emerge from the
work of the whole group.
Session 5: Developing Strategies
1. Reporting on Common Themes
2. Reviewing Common Themes for the Future
Intergenerational Ministry & Faith Formation Holly, Jim, and Kathie
3. Creating Strategies for the Future
4. Viewing Reports from the Strategy Groups & Adding
Your Strategies to Other Themes using a Post-It
Note.
Developing Strategies
Creating Strategies for the Future
1. Select one of themes developed for the future of
intergenerational faith formation and ministry and
join that group.
2. Develop strategies for bringing the theme to life.
Write one strategy per Post-it Note.
3. Post the strategies on newsprint and cluster similar
ideas.
Session 6: Implementing Strategies
1. Designing the Future - Holly, Jim, Kathie
2. Developing Action Recommendations for Moving into
the Future: How will we do this? Specific Projects,
Activities, Initiatives
 Group 1. TRAINING & EDUCATING Leaders
 Group 2. ADVOCACY for the Vision & Approach
 Group 3. RESOURCING for Intergenerational
 Group 4. NETWORKING Intergenerational Leaders
 Group 5. DEVELOPING Intergenerational in a Faith
Community
 Group 6. SUPPORTING Intergenerational Leaders
3. Reporting Highlights from the Agendas for Action
4. Projecting Next Steps: From the Symposium to Action