The Church of All Ages

Gil Rendle, a former senior consultant with the Alban Institute, has provided another helpful way for us to view our congregations. He looks at tenure of membership in the congregation and notes that some are long-tenured members (more than 20 years), some are mid-tenured (between 10 and 20 years), and others are short-tenured (less than 10 years).

“Worship is the most central and public activity engaged in by American religious congregations”

The “generation-specific congregation”

Age-inclusive prayers are a must in age-inclusive worship.

Consider all the chapters of life’s journey to be equally valuable.

Worship planning should be age-inclusive.

Plan periodic worship events to be inclusive.

We do, however, believe that each congregation should be discussing, among both clergy and laity, the specific approach it will take in such matters.

Encourage activities that prepare worshipers to be age-inclusive.