From differences to strengths: Leveraging generational diversity in discipleship

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Modern discipleship is ageless—the calling of the Church looks beyond variable factors like age, economic background, and geographical location. Christian faith transcends all of these markers, catalyzing inclusivity to spread the gospel further and wider than ever before. 

This melting pot approach to congregation means these factors are no longer the stumbling blocks they used to be when it comes to delivering church content and engaging diverse audiences.

In fact, generational diversity can now be leveraged as an effective growth tool for pastors, their churches, and their expanding communities.

In a previous blog, we shared practical ways to bridge the generation gap and connect a cross-generational church community. Here, we spotlight how these differences can become strengths and why generational multiplicity has the potential to enhance the worship experience.

Music as an example of generational diversity

Music is the perfect example of something that has the power to divide generations and is often a great predictor of which generation people belong to. 

Brenda A. Rasmussen captures this dynamic in an Influence article, quoting the Enrichment Journal::

‍“Every Sunday the congregation is filled with people who represent different generations, and every person has his or her own preference for worship style. Some people wish it were formal, others informal. Some people want to sing hymns; some want choruses. Some wish the organ and piano were the lead instruments; others look for a guitar-driven band. 

‍“Others stand to worship, while some are unable to stand at great lengths. Some long for the days when we sang about the majesty and splendor of God; others want to focus on how they can know God better.”

Music can be symbolic of the wider diversity we’re now seeing in modern church communities and how providing a blended worship experience is so challenging for pastors.

Striving to bridge these generational gaps and unite the congregation is crucial for a harmonious church community. However, when managed and leveraged strategically, generation gaps can actually present invaluable opportunities for modern ministries. 

Making generational diversity work for you

Belief systems today reflect the the “largest generation gap” in 70 years, with young adults displaying “radically different” engagement with faith when compared to their older counterparts. 

While it is important to bridge these gaps, church leaders who also use them to their advantage will succeed in growing stronger communities and a more blended congregation.

So, how can church leaders strategically leverage generational diversity within their communities?

Support a healthier and better-connected approach to church tech

Technology is an incredibly powerful and positive tool in the growth and evolution of modern churches, especially when it comes to navigating Gen Z’s digital ecosystem. However, despite embracing tech as a favored communication tool when interacting with diverse groups of people, 45% of Gen Z within young adult ministries say they feel overwhelmed by online ‘drama’. 

Older Christians, in general, represent more traditional ways of engaging with faith and consuming church content that rely less heavily on tech, often without any digital strings attached at all. 

In-person events, face-to-face seminars, and prayer, for example, can provide a refreshing break away from the constant stimulation of being online—something younger, tech-tethered disciples could benefit from periodically.

On the flip side, tech-savvy digital disciples can teach their older counterparts about engaging with the online church world and the freedom it can offer.

Having this helpful resource in younger congregants can help make accessing things like live-stream sermons, social media content, and webinars far less daunting for older Christians.

Nurture mentor-style relationships

If every member of a congregation was the same age, had the same social background, shared the same political views, and engaged with the Church in exactly the same way, nothing would ever change. If nothing ever changed, imagine all of the new experiences, new opportunities, and new perspectives we’d never be exposed to. 

Diversity is integral to growth and evolution—both for the wider church community and on a personal level. 

A cross-generational congregation paves the way for mentor-style relationships between older and younger disciples who can enrich one another and show each other the Christian experience through their respective lenses.

So, how do you go about fostering and nurturing these kinds of relationships?

In practice, this can be done by deploying tools like our Messaging & Groups feature, where church congregants can connect and communicate through an easy-to-use platform. This provides a digital base camp for cross-generational bonding, which can be continued digitally or translated into real life too.

A Gen Z disciple might mentor an older peer into joining a live-streamed sermon, for instance, and, in turn, the older Christian might then encourage them to attend a traditional, in-person event or worship session.

Diversify church content for a stronger hybrid ministry

Having to create content that will appeal to both traditional audiences and their younger counterparts is a challenge for church leaders, sure, but it’s also a blessing in disguise. 

With no generational diversity, church content could become extremely one-dimensional—and stay that way. Diverse congregants push church leaders to think outside the box, face the future, and continually develop new ways of creating and delivering versatile content streams to engage inclusively. 

This dexterous approach to church content is the foundation of a successful hybrid ministry (a ministry that merges traditional in-person worship with today’s church tech and online tools). 

Without generational diversity, church leaders might not feel the same drive to innovate and advance as proactively. This is the perfect demonstration of when generational diversity can be leveraged as a strength, in spite of the challenges it poses.

Find everything you need on Subsplash One

With Subsplash One, you can do it all from one place. Church management streamlines and simplifies your processes more than ever, so you can know, grow and engage your community no matter who they are, where they are, or, of course, how old they are. 

It’s one centralized place to simplify your technology, connect your congregation, expand your community, and grow your church. 

To learn more about how to leverage generational diversity in discipleship and grow your church community,[.blog-contact-cta] contact Subsplash today[.blog-contact-cta]!