The Church Post-Sunday School: How to Be Intergenerational and Why It Matters

By Wendy Claire Barrie

Including children and youth into the full life of the church will help faith communities thrive.

Programs for the religious instruction of children and adults across denominations have steadily declined since 1997. The good news is that research and experience show that children's participation in worship and connection to adults in the faith community helps children grow into and maintain a mature faith. Adults also find worthwhile benefits from relationships across generations, proving that age segregation as a default mode of worshipping, educating, and forming Christians should be carefully reconsidered.

This book explores why and how churches become intergenerational rather than simply multigenerational. It includes real-life illustrations from parishes who are engaged in this work, as well as resources and practical suggestions for worship, education, fellowship, retreats and pilgrimages, and community outreach. A brief history of Sunday School, the reasons for its decline, and a summary of the relevant research supporting intergenerational faith formation are included.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1640652922
• ISBN13: 9781640652927
• Release Date: October 2022
• Publisher: Morehouse Publishing
• Length: 160 Pages