Diocesan Children & Youth Ministry: This Young Church Project

Once, during the Eucharist, when the words were said—"Whoever eats this bread will live forever"—a child's voice from the pew exhaled an audible, “Whoaaaa.” At that moment, the little one led me in worship and drew back the curtain. I was seeking mystery, the wonder behind the actions—and there he was, offering me his “Whoaaaa” in a way that did just that.

We need one another in order to enter into wholehearted worship. And not just the other adults who can read, walk, make announcements, sing, and (for the most part!) stay quiet during the quiet parts. No, we need the whole community, in all their glorious ages and stages of development, to be there showing us how to listen to the Spirit.

Someone recently exclaimed, “Church doesn’t happen until everyone gets there!” That’s good news for us and for our young people. Too often, young people feel as if the church could go right on without them, and that their presence doesn’t make a significant difference in the worship experience.

But imagine if young people or any of us, for that matter!—knew that if we weren't there with the community worshiping God, singing, praying, confessing, giving thanks, eating bread, and drinking wine, then church would not quite be church. This idea changes everything.

This exciting concept is known as intergenerational worship. What we practice inside our naves, sanctuaries, and fellowship halls is practice for how we serve and love one another every day between Sundays. Practicing connection, service, listening, and making space for young folks inside church is a revolution that our world, outside church walls, is starving for.

Beginning in September, I will be leading This Young Church Project, which will bring together four to five churches across our diocese for an in-depth, serious, and joyful exploration of how to experiment with intergenerational worship in the parish context.

Our formation will be guided by the Roots and Wings initiative, funded by the Lilly Endowment Inc., which is supporting a deep theological and academic study of intergenerational worship. Our fellowship will encourage each of us to take both small and bold steps to expand our vision of the kingdom of God, the one where all are welcome, where treasures are hidden with little children, and where we model our discipleship after Jesus’ example: “Let the little children come to me.”

We are asking a vital and vulnerable question: What does a church look like where everyone has a role and knows how to participate, not just our able-bodied and confident adults?

Many of us are concerned about the church’s future and its relevance. Please pray for This Young Church Project, as participating parishes engage this question faithfully over the coming year. What is relevance, and what is the future, if not deep care for, love of, and integration with our youngest generation? 

For some parishes, this means engaging a large number of children and youth. For others, it may be one or two young people. And for other parishes still, it means being ready for the young family or student who occasionally walks through the doors.

All of it is important. All of it is rain thrown on freshly sown seeds.

As much as our young people need us to share the Good News with them, how much do we also need them to show us the Gospel?

How much are we needing to hear that “Whoooaaa” in response to our mysterious liturgical claims? May you hear it this week as you join with others to meet with Jesus, and may you be inspired to bring your whole self to the community who is waiting for you and loves you.

- Rev. Erin Pickersgill