DISQUS

gwalter · 2 months ago

Well written article my friend, and I agree completely. In fact, we wrote this core value statement about six or seven years ago:

"We know that the healthiest communities are intergenerational and child-friendly. Age diversity matures everyone and creates a strong, safe family. It is the mix of generations, cultures, and social groups that enables learning and growth. (Exodus 20:12, Mark 10:14, 1 John 2:12-14)"

You can find it here:
http://www.mycommonground.org/whoweare/808294:P...

K. C. R. · 2 months ago

The problem is too much "belly button" gazing in the pews a truely outwardly mission oriented group of people out to save the world never have this problem. Multi-generational leadership is all about power structure and nepotism and stagnation. The best example of the exact opposit I can think of is a "War Time" fighting force where mission and competence trump age and power.

gwalter · 2 months ago

If the generational strata operated along the lines that John wrote about - where the old men taught and led the young men - we wouldn't have the hierarchy issues. Instead we'd have more of a multi-generational family system - based on benevolence, not power and authority.

I completely agree with your analogy on a wartime mentality though. This is exactly where I wrestle with the common church attender. Most see church as a fellowship (navel-gazers?), but I see church as standing armies ready to do battle against the gates of Hell.

Vision and purpose inspire excellence. The clearer the vision, the better the values, the more defined mission, and the integrity of purpose will better enable people to drop their pretenses and join the cause.