Had a thoroughly interesting “Discipleship Training Night” this evening – mostly because it was a chance to engage in discussion around church planting, which brings me back to life every time. Pete (senior pastor for at least another week or two) was talking through where his mind is to do with the whole emerging/missional type movement, which is always very interesting to hear. Lots of the push is to build churches around specific people groups.
Which brings up the difficulty of building a church that loses the sense of family, and the diversity which is really quite necessary for discipling and growing – I believe. For instance, as we’re growing our youthy types – I want them to be in relationship with some young 20s types, but also with some 30 year olds, and some 40 pluses. I think unless you get an opportunity to see what the christian life looks like in that context, you end up missing lots of what the whole deal is about.
But these are turning into ramblings, and I really should just go to sleep. Thanks for putting up with my rants 
I agree with you Geoff about the age thing. Actually, I don’t think emerging church models that focus on a particular age demographic to the exclusion of others end up going the distance. I like Northern’s approach – (you can find a link off http://www.signposts.org.au). They have a multi-congregational model which does have room for congregations to particularly target age/subcultural groups but there are many points for connecting, and opportunity to engage cross-age.
I share your concern about failing to connect “cross-age” in the churches. In our town here in TN there is a new church for “20-somethings.” Makes me feel like an old man, which is OK since length of days means having been blessed for a long time. Anyway, I wonder if they check your ID at the door to see if you might not be older than what you say.
The family metaphors of the church shouldn’t be discounted nor should the natural oversight by elders (older ones) be ignored.
Jesus warned us of just loving those with whom we have things in common. Even the Pharisees did that.
God speed, brother.
ts a dichotomy really, On one had large churches want all ages in there church. Then the next thing they want is children’s, youth, young adult ministries. These minsitrys then never see or socialise with other age groups. My concern is that the division of age happens anyway!
What is more abnormal, when it happens in culture or within the Church?
I agree with you Geoff but how do you not do it? Unless there are very deliberate measures.
What I’d do…. When you do things but don’t give it an age related age. eg ‘Youth service’.
I’m not sure (and don’t take this as me thinking that I’ve got the answers), but perhaps the solution comes in planting with diverse groups and planting regularly. So sending people out quickly enough that you aren’t sitting around with congregations so large that you have to run separate stuff for the individual groups. But that’s coming from someone who is pretty heavily involved in youth min in a relatively biggish church, so maybe there’s just a touch of hypocrisy there. (ie – in my comments)
There might not be immediate answers, but I’m certainly keen to keep trying for some.
I might address this to your hound and open with…
Dude!
Its pretty tricky stuff to ballance ain’t it?
Sometimes I think older christians who have given up on being edgy are the worst thing you can expose young people to…. but thats not really positive or true. And I think that young people have a vitality and a hopefulness that older people can really benefit from. When its working, its magic… but when its not… I don’t think there’s an easy solution. Somehow the magic has to be breathed back into it… and when I use the word magic i mean God… its just that I don’t like analytical words to describe things that are kinda mysterious.
I’m curious about this church planting stuff and the varying perspectives… especially on the topics of speed and training. Part of my story has been as part of breakaway churches that became manipulative and cultish. But that can happen as easily in a big church. Its easy to maintain the illusion of control in big churches… its easy to be too controling in small churches.. maybe both ways. How do you keep love and accountability in there? Who is responsible for deciding when people are ready to plant… and what kinds of skills and attitudes are foundational to an effective plant?
Geoff… full respect to ya bro! Sounds like a great thing to be inspired about!
Tim