Breaking Down the Walls Between Age Groups

For years, churches have been built on a well-meaning strategy: dividing the community into specific age groups to meet their unique needs. It’s the norm in most churches — separate ministries for children, youth, young adults, seniors. It seemed logical and even beneficial at the time. After all, who better to relate to a teenager than another teenager? And wouldn’t seniors rather be with people who understand their stage of life? But over time, these well-intentioned efforts to focus on particular age groups have built something unintended: age silos.

Now, many of our churches feel more like fragmented communities than unified bodies. Each group operates in its own bubble, rarely interacting with those outside their own age bracket. Yet, we proclaim that the church is the body of Christ, where "each member belongs to all the others" (Romans 12:5). So why do we so often worship, learn, and serve in isolation?

Let’s rethink this approach for a minute.

Instead of maintaining these silos, what if we started breaking down the walls between age groups and began living out our faith together? Let’s explore how we can shift from segmented ministries to shared life—and how that might just change everything…

Why the Silos Exist (and Why It’s Time to Break Them Down)

The division of church life by age group wasn’t born out of bad intentions. As Holly Allen explains in her work on intergenerational ministry, much of it began in the 1970s when developmental psychology was king. Churches adopted the idea that each age group had different cognitive and emotional needs, and that separating them would best meet those needs. It seemed to make sense at the time.

But what we didn’t see coming was the long-term effect. By segmenting worship, learning, and service, we unintentionally created isolated experiences of faith. Youth group members rarely spent time with older adults; children were shuttled off to their own programs; seniors gathered in their own circles. Each group flourished in their own space, but something was missing—a shared life of faith.

The truth is, while different generations may have distinct needs, they also have much to offer each other. When we bring generations together, something powerful happens: younger people are mentored and guided by the wisdom of their elders, while older generations are energized and inspired by the fresh faith of the young. Intergenerational ministry isn’t just a nice idea; it’s a biblical one. From Deuteronomy’s call to "impress them on your children" (Deuteronomy 6:7) to Paul’s instructions for the older men and women to mentor the younger (Titus 2), scripture points us toward living out our faith together.

So how do we break down these silos and start building a more interconnected church?

Small Steps For Big Impact

You don’t need to overhaul your entire church structure to start breaking down age barriers. Actually, it’s often the small, intentional changes that have the biggest impact. Here are a few practical steps, inspired by the 11 Simple Ideas shared by the Lewis Center For Church Leadership, to begin building a more intergenerational church.

1. Host an Intergenerational Sunday School Class

Why not try this for one Sunday? Announce that this week, all ages will come together for a shared Sunday School experience. Mix the generations at different tables and ask questions that everyone can answer: What’s your favorite part of Sunday school? How has your understanding of Jesus grown recently? It’s a simple way to open the door to conversations that would never happen if everyone remained in their usual groups.

2. Welcome All Ages in Worship Teams and Hospitality

From greeting at the door to collecting the offering, these roles are perfect opportunities for different generations to work together. Pair up a senior member with a child to hand out bulletins or create intergenerational teams for welcoming newcomers. Not only does this help break down walls, but it also shows the congregation that everyone has a place in serving the church, regardless of age.

3. Turn Vacation Bible School into a Multigenerational Event

If your church hosts a VBS each summer, consider turning it into an intergenerational event. Create stations with activities like storytelling, crafts, and service projects, and then have mixed-age groups rotate through. You’ll be surprised at how easily older members connect with younger ones when they’re working side by side on a shared activity.

4. Invite Generations to Serve Together

Hosting a service project? Form intergenerational teams. Whether it’s cleaning up the church grounds, cooking meals for those in need, or packing care packages, these activities are simple yet effective ways to bring different age groups together. Afterward, invite everyone to share what they learned from working alongside someone of a different generation.

The Power of Stories

One of the most powerful ways to connect generations is through storytelling. Holly Allen talks about how storytelling allows us to hear the spiritual journeys of others—something that is often missing when we stay siloed in our own age group. And it’s not just the older generation passing down wisdom to the younger; younger members often have profound stories of faith that can encourage and challenge their elders.

Consider setting aside time in your church services or small groups for testimony sharing across generations. You might be surprised at how deeply people are moved by hearing the struggles and triumphs of someone much younger—or older—than themselves. These stories remind us that, while we may be at different stages of life, we’re all on the same spiritual journey.

Growing Together

When we break down the walls of age segregation, we’re not just creating a more inclusive church; we’re building a stronger body of Christ. A church that lives together—learning, worshiping, and serving alongside one another—is a church that grows together.

No matter your congregation’s size, taking small steps toward intergenerational ministry can have a profound impact. It reminds us that we need each other: the wisdom of the elderly, the energy of the young, the experiences in between. And it reminds us that, together, we are the body of Christ—each part belonging to all the others.

So, as you look at your church, ask yourself: Where are the silos? And how can you begin the work of breaking them down to create a church that truly lives and grows together?