Engage All Generations suggests how every church can build on its potential and become a more vibrant witness of God’s Kingdom. Divided into three sections, the book focuses on key growth edges in the unfolding conversation about intergenerational ministry: “Learning and Growing Together,” “Praying and Playing Together,” and “Leading and Changing Together.”

Practical, accessible, encouraging, and thought-provoking, this book provides the crucial next building block in our understanding of intergenerational ministry. It is sure to benefit congregations already engaged in fostering intergenerational approaches and those desiring to experiment with becoming intentionally intergenerational.

Cory Seibel, PhD, is a pastor at Central Baptist Church in Edmonton, Alberta. He earned his MTh degree through Spurgeon’s College in London and a PhD in Practical Theology from the University of Pretoria in South Africa. Cory is a frequent guest speaker at churches, camps, conferences, and retreats. He also is an adjunct professor at Taylor Seminary in Edmonton and a research fellow with the Department of Practical and Missional Theology at the University of the Free State in South Africa. He previously served churches in North Dakota and Virginia and spent eight years as a full-time seminary professor.

Holly Catterton Allen is a professor of Christian ministries and family science at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee, where she teaches undergraduate courses such as Family Ministry and Nurturing Spiritual Development in Children. Her areas of interest are children’s spiritual formation and intergenerational ministry; she chairs two biennial international, cross-denominational conferences: InterGenerate and the Children’s Spirituality Summit. Dr. Allen’s books include InterGenerate, Intergenerational Christian Formation, and Nurturing Children’s Spirituality. 

Chris Barnett is based at the Centre for Theology and Ministry in Melbourne, Australia. His role encompasses responsibility for intergenerational ministry across the Uniting Church Synod of Victoria and Tasmania. He has a passion for assisting leaders, congregations, and regional groups in developing and implementing their vision for ministry with children and families. Barnett’s role includes a focus on consultancy, advocacy, resourcing, and training, with a strong emphasis on intergenerational engagement. Chris has extensive experience in congregational, regional, and denominational ministry, with a Graduate Diploma in Bible and Ministry from Ridley College, Melbourne, picked up along the way. 

Jacolize Becker is the Regional Leader for Sports Chaplaincy New Zealand (SCNZ). Since immigrating from South Africa with her husband and two sons in 2004, she has served in children and family ministry in various roles—as CFM Director, pastor and creative director for two Baptist Churches, regional coach for the Auckland Baptist Association and the Churches Education Commission, and as presenter and speaker at ministry conferences. As an advocate for intergenerational ministry through sport and games, Becker’s experience includes training at a sports ministry leadership school in Fiji and serving with Sports Chaplaincy NZ. 

Tim Beilharz, MA, is Children’s Ministry Advisor for Youthworks, the children’s and youth ministry department of the Sydney Anglican Diocese, Australia. He is committed to seeing local church children’s and youth ministry enable young people to grow in knowing, loving, and obeying Christ. His role includes coaching and consultancy with local congregations, as well as lecturing at Youthworks College. He completed his MDiv through Sydney Missionary and Bible College and Christ College, Sydney, and his MA in Theology through Moore Theological College. Beilharz previously served as a children’s minister. He married his high school sweetheart, and they have two children in primary school. 

Ted R. Brauker holds a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Central Michigan University and is a PhD student in Church Music at Baylor University. His research focuses on the musical intersection between Catholic and Protestant communities. He has presented papers at the 2020 Society for Christian Music Scholarship meetings and Baylor’s 2019 Alleluia Conference. Brauker previously served as Assistant Professor of Music at Ranger College, as well as organist and choir director for several churches in Michigan. He currently directs music for St. Rita Catholic Church. He lives with his five daughters and wife, Brandi, in rural Texas. 

Theresa Cho, DMin, is a pastor at St. John’s Presbyterian Church in San Francisco. Drawing from her background as a teacher of children with autism and a chaplain in pediatrics, Theresa has devoted the last seventeen years to creating and maintaining an intergenerational community at St. John’s. For the past decade, she has shared her experience and learnings by teaching, leading workshops, and speaking at conferences. Cho’s doctorate from Fuller Theological Seminary focused on how pastors and congregations navigate change together to create an intergenerational and intercultural community. She lives in San Francisco with her husband, InHo, and her two teenage children.

Rev. Melissa Cooper is an ordained Deacon in the United Methodist Church. She currently serves as the Minister of Worship and Arts at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Orlando, Florida. She is also an Associate with Vibrant Faith, providing ministry coaching services in the area of intergenerational ministry and culture. Cooper received her Master of Theological Studies degree in 2009 from Boston University School of Theology. She is married to Will. 

Michael Droege has been in youth ministry for thirty years. In 2013, he enrolled in master’s studies at Drew University, motivated by a growing concern that current faith formation practices were failing at connecting youth with the church. This led to a new focus on intergenerationality that has inspired his coaching work with Vibrant Faith, his presenting workshops in various contexts, PhD research at the University of Pretoria, and his contribution as the author of a chapter in The Generative Church. Droege is grateful to be serving as the Associate Pastor of Wilson Memorial Church in Watchung, New Jersey. 

Roberta J. Egli is the Executive Director of Messy Church USA, an affiliate of the global Messy Church movement. As Lead Pastor of Trinity United Methodist, she started a Messy Church that reached new households. Following conversation with Lucy Moore, the founder of Messy Church, she assumed primary leadership for establishing Messy Church USA in the fall of 2017. The network has since grown to include 180 churches from seven Christian traditions. She received an MDiv at Pacific School of Religion and is ordained in the United Methodist Church. She lives in Eugene, Oregon, with her husband and young adult son. 

Wes Gallagher, MDiv, serves as Child and Family Minister at the Collegeside Church of Christ in Cookeville, Tennessee. His ministry focuses on creating intergenerational experiences in which adult members share wisdom, tested faith, and loving acceptance with children. In turn, children share their energy, passion, and untainted hope with adults. He attained his MDiv from Hazelip School of Theology, Lipscomb University, where Holly Allen introduced him to the richness of intergenerational ministry. Gallagher and his wife, Stephanie, are rearing six wonderful children on a seven-acre minifarm. He currently is pursuing a DMin in Leadership and Spiritual Formation at Portland Seminary. 

Valerie M. Grissom, Doctor of Worship Studies, is Minister of Music at Calvin Presbyterian Church in Shoreline, Washington. Having served more than fifteen years as a worship leader and pastor, she is passionate about facilitating spiritual renewal in the church by initiating revitalizing worship practices. During her studies at The Robert Webber Institute of Worship, she focused on intergenerational and intercultural worship. She currently is a candidate for ordination in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Grissom also enjoys researching, writing about, and experimenting with ways to promote intergenerational and intercultural ministry. She and her husband, Ben, live with their four children in Whidbey Island, Washington. 

Michael Huerter holds an MDiv from Truett Seminary and a Master of Church Music from Baylor University. He completed his thesis under the supervision of Dr. Monique Ingalls. He plans to continue as a PhD student in Church Music at Baylor University. His research interests include Christian discipleship in a world of digital media, the role music plays in spiritual formation, and encouraging churches to engage with music in formative and relationship-building ways across lines of difference. He has experience in youth and music ministry and contributes frequently as a worship leader for his church. 

Alasdair MacDougall is Senior Pastor of Liberty Church of Christ in Sydney, Australia. He previously served as Youth and Young Adults Pastor for fourteen years. Through this time in youth and young adult ministry, as well as through his high school chaplaincy experience, MacDougall developed a passion for intergenerational ministry. Completing his MTh through the Australian College of Ministries, with a focus on biblical studies, he undertook a detailed examination of the intergenerational dynamics in the Old Testament. He is married to Michelle, and they have one young daughter. 

Jim Merhaut, MSEd, PCC, is the Founder of Coaching to Connect, a coaching and consulting service focused on leadership development. Jim is certified as an executive and life coach and as a reinvention practitioner. He is known internationally for his coaching, speaking, and expertise in lifelong faith formation. He holds an MS degree in Religious Education from Duquesne University. He has contributed to several books and other publications, including Generations Together and InterGenerate. With decades of experience in intergenerational ministries and leadership development, Merhaut offers keynotes, retreats, and workshops on a variety of themes. He and Debbie reside in Youngstown, Ohio. 

Johannah Myers, DMin, is Director of Christian Formation at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Greenville, South Carolina. Since completing a Master of Divinity degree from Duke Divinity School, she has spent almost twenty years focused on disciple formation for all ages. She introduced Messy Church to her congregation in 2013. In 2019, Myers completed a DMin through Wesley Theological Seminary, where she studied with a global cohort at Wesley House in Cambridge, England. Her doctoral project focused on intergenerational, hands-on faith formation using the foundational values of Messy Church. She has served as a Regional Coordinator for Messy Church USA since its inception and became its Associate Director in 2020. 

Liz Perraud is Executive Director of GenOn Ministries, which partners with churches to nurture, grow, and deepen intergenerational Christ-centered community. Over fifteen years with GenOn, Perraud has led training, consulted, and preached throughout the United States and Canada. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from The College of William and Mary and is an ordained elder in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). She has written articles on intergenerational ministry for Presbyterians Today, The Presbyterian Outlook, Princeton Theological Seminary’s The Thread, Building Faith, and NEXT Church. She also contributed chapters to What Matters Now in Children’s Ministry and InterGenerate. 

John Roberto has worked for three decades promoting intergenerational faith formation by training church leaders and developing intergenerational programs and resources. He created and coordinated the Generations of Faith Project, a five-year Lilly Endowment–funded project to develop intergenerational faith formation in Catholic parishes. His publications include Faith Formation with a New Generation, Families at the Center of Faith Formation, Seasons of Adult Faith Formation, Reimagining Faith Formation for the 21st Century, Generations Together, Faith Formation 2020, and Becoming a Church of Lifelong Learners. He has worked on the leadership team of Vibrant Faith Ministries and founded Lifelong Faith Associates and the Center for Ministry Development. 

Judyth Roberts has spent a decade identifying, developing, and supporting lay leaders of all ages within the Uniting Church of Australia. Initially a high school teacher, Roberts completed a Graduate Diploma of Education, specializing in Adult Education, with the aim of teaching childcare workers, teachers, and other adults the value of play. She served as a lay worker in five parish churches for over fifteen years. She has written and blogged extensively about children’s and family ministry. As an accredited Godly Play Australia Trainer, she demonstrates Godly Play and Deep Talk storytelling and shares the theology and intergenerational spiritual practice that underpins this method. 

Jason Brian Santos, PhD, is pastor of Community Presbyterian Church, in Lake City, Colorado. He is an ordained teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and, for five years, served as the national director for Christian Formation for the Presbyterian Mission Agency. He holds a PhD in Practical Theology from Princeton Theological Seminary, where he also earned his MDiv. He is the author of A Community Called Taizé. He currently resides in a nearly 150-year-old historic church manse in Lake City with his wife, Shannon, and his two sons, Judah and Silas. In his spare time, he plays and designs board games. 

Cory Seibel, PhD, is a pastor at Central Baptist Church in Edmonton, Alberta. He earned his MTh degree in Applied Theology through Spurgeon’s College, London, and a PhD in Practical Theology from the University of Pretoria, South Africa. Seibel has authored several papers and articles on intergenerational ministry; he also edited The Generative Church and contributed chapters to InterGenerate. Cory is a frequent guest presenter for churches, camps, conferences, and retreats. He previously served churches in North Dakota and Virginia and taught at seminaries in South Dakota and California.

 Brenda Snailum, EdD, has a passion to see all generations welcomed and contributing meaningfully within the life of the church. She has served as an associated faculty member in Youth and Family Studies at Denver Seminary for over eleven years and as a leader in children’s, youth, and family ministry for over three decades. She has an EdD from Biola University and an MA from Denver Seminary. She has published several articles on intergenerational ministry and is a contributing author for Teaching the Next Generations. She and her husband of forty-three years live in Littleton, Colorado. They have two married adult children and two grandchildren. 

Linda E. Staats is a national speaker, workshop leader, curriculum writer, consultant, leadership coach, and Founder of HomeGrown Faith. She holds an MA from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. With training in Child Development and Gerontology, Staats brings a life-span approach to congregational ministry. She serves the ELCA as Coordinator for The Generosity Project, a household-focused, intergenerational approach to Stewardship and Discipleship. She has served on two ELCA regional staffs as Assistant to the Bishop for Faith Formation. She and her husband of fifty-three years are parents to two adult sons. She proudly bears the title of “Grand Mum” within her family. 

Debbie Streicher is Codirector of Milestones Ministry. She has facilitated and developed faith-formation programs and resources for more than twenty-five years. She is a coach, writer, speaker, and teacher. Steicher has consulted and led events across the United States, Canada, and Australia focused on establishing intergenerational faith practices in the congregation and at home. Her degree in Spanish is from East Stroudsburg University in Pennsylvania and the University of Valencia in Spain. She uses what she’s learned from speaking and teaching language to aid families in implementing practices that help them become immersed in, and speak, the language of faith. 

Tammy Tolman is founding pastor of an intergenerational faith community belonging to the Churches of Christ in Australia. She has been involved in ministry for over thirty years. Married for thirty-two years and with two adult children, Tolman is a trained teacher (DipTeach) and has a degree in Theology from the Australian College of Ministry. She has written two books and multiple resources to help leaders effectively minister to children and their families. She has spoken at conferences throughout the world. She is currently pursuing her PhD through Cardiff University and works with a team to run the InterGenerate Australia Conference.

Foreword | Holly Catterton Allen 

Introduction | Cory Siebel 

Part One: Learning and Growing Together 

Chapter One | Intergenerational Sabbath Communities | Jason Brian Santos 

Chapter Two | Intergenerational Dynamics in Deuteronomy | Alasdair MacDougall 

Chapter Three | Intergenerational Church and Sociocultural Faith Development |  Tim Beilharz 

Chapter Four | Growing Together | Michael Droege  

Chapter Five | Valuing Youth Ministry as Embedded Intergenerationality | Brenda Snailum 

Chapter Six | Godly Play in Intergenerational Ministry | Judyth Roberts 

Chapter Seven | Intergenerational Community around the Table | 

Chapter Eight | Playfully Forming Disciples |  Roberta J. Egli and Johannah Myers 

Part Two: Praying and Playing Together 

Chapter Nine | Spiritual Formation through Intergenerational Scripture Presentation | Valerie M. Grissom 

Chapter Ten | Songs of Young and Old | Michael Huerter 

Chapter Eleven | Intergenerational Imagining | Wes Gallagher  

Chapter Twelve | The Mystery of Catholic Intergenerational Worship | Ted R. Brauker 

Chapter Thirteen | Connecting Generations to Practice Generosity | Linda E. Staats 

Chapter Fourteen | Connecting Generations through Milestone Celebrations | Debbie Streicher 

Chapter Fifteen | Intergenerational Sports and Games | Jacolize Becker 

Chapter Sixteen | Intergenerational Connections through Tabletop Gaming | Jason Brian Santos 

Part Three: Leading and Changing Together

Chapter Seventeen | Embracing the Leadership Challenge | Theresa Cho 

Chapter Eighteen | Learning to Walk Together | Cory Seibel 

Chapter Nineteen | Moving All Ages toward Life Together | Tammy Tolman 

Chapter Twenty | Leading the Transition from Age-Specific to Intergenerational Faith Formation | Jim Merhaut 

Chapter Twenty-One | Tools for Developing Intergenerational Ministry | Chris Barnett 

Chapter Twenty-Two | Cross-Generational Communication | Melissa Cooper 

Conclusion | Pathways to an Intergenerational Future | John Roberto 

Selected Bibliography

Contributors 

“We all know it is true: we have lost far too much of this rich, God-given identity as faith communities. This makes this book so timely and of critical importance. It sometimes feels to me like the climate-change situation. We need a summit of international proportion. How close are we to a point of no return? This beautiful contribution will for sure help us—not only to avoid that point but to encourage and guide every bold step in local faith communities to ‘learn and grow together, to pray and play together, to lead and change together.’”

—Prof Dr. Malan Nel, Senior Research Fellow, University of Pretoria, South Africa

“This book comes at a pivotal time for the western church. We desperately need to grapple with how to grow lifelong disciples in a world with widening generational divides. The writers provide thoughtful, theologically grounded perspectives for those asking, Why intergenerational? They offer a powerful vision of what can be gained, and a breadth of practical approaches for implementing this vision. I want all of our pastors to read this book!”

—Karen Warner, Leadership Coordination Director, Baptist Churches of New Zealand

“Engage All Generations is called a toolkit for good reason. Cory Seibel has assembled a fine collection of chapters giving those who wish to encourage their church to explore intergenerational ministry lots of specific ideas for how to proceed, written by those who have actually done it. This book is a valuable resource for anyone looking for ways to make their church more intergenerational.”

—Robert J. Keeley, Professor of Education, Calvin University, coeditor of Bridging Theory and Practice in Children’s Spirituality

“Like good intergenerational ministry, Engage All Generations has something for everyone. Whether you’re new to the party or you’ve been tearing it up on the intergenerational dance floor for years, the wise practitioners in this book invite you to more deeply consider the current state of all-age ministry and to try out some moves that they’ve been practicing in their contexts. So join the party—and don’t be afraid to attempt something new as you make your way onto the dance floor.”

—David M. Csinos, Assistant Professor, Atlantic School of Theology, founder of Faith Forward

“Intergenerational Ministry is still in its infancy as a discipline. Engage All Generations helps with the maturation process by bringing together biblical, theological, theoretical, and practical ideas to be considered and experimented with. These ideas will no doubt be a significant catalyst for further learning and development in the dialogue around intergenerationality.”

—Gareth Crispin, Lecturer in Practical Theology, Cliff College, UK

“Engage All Generations is a very helpful, informative, and resourceful collection of essays on the intergenerational church. The topics and issues covered address a wide range of theological, pastoral, and developmental insights to be considered in clarifying strategies for an integrated ministry for all ages. The commitment and passion expressed by the contributors is encouraging and representative of the importance of embracing the benefits of being an intergenerational church.”

—Dr. Paul Pearce, Centre for Healthy Aging Transitions (CHAT), Vancouver, BC 

“If you are looking for practical and creative ways to engage all generations in the church, look no further. This newest book from Intergenerate is a gathering of stories and experiences that together cast vision, invite creative practices, and equip ministry leaders as they explore a new way of being for the church, one where all generations come together as the church to live life together as faithful followers of Christ. As the subtitle states, this compilation of essays is truly a strategic toolkit—one that can shape the foundation of church life.”

—Mimi L. Larson, Visiting Assistant Professor of Christian Formation & Ministry, Wheaton College

“In this book, Cory Seibel and his team of contributors have wonderfully illustrated for the Church the why, when, and how of Intergenerational ministry.”

—Ron deVries, Christian Reformed Church in North America Youth Ministry Catalyzer, Ambassador for ThereforeGo Ministries

“The shared vision cast in these pages will heighten our imagination for becoming the body of Christ. The authors embrace interdependence across the generations as the foundation for ministry design. Providing theory, practice, and leadership examples, this book beckons us to invest in community faith formation and discover the Spirit’s transforming movement among us.”

—Dr. Sharon Galgay Ketcham, author of Reciprocal Church, professor at Gordon College, MA

“Engage All Generations is another welcome opportunity to listen in on the conversation among the community of practioner–theologians of intergenerational ministry. The combination of Bible, theology, and practice will help inspire and equip readers to develop intergenerational practice, as well as help persuade others to catch the intergenerational vision.”

—Graham Stanton, Director, Ridley Centre for Children’s and Youth Ministry, Melbourne

“Engage All Generations lives up to its toolkit tagline. It provides endless practical ideas and strategic thinking in an easy-to-understand format. This book will provide a great resource for those just starting out on the intergenerational journey as well as for those a bit further down the track.”

—Jodi Brook, Director, Grow Ministries, Lutheran Church of Australia

“An interesting, context-sensitive, and relevant resource, presenting strategies that are biblical and theologically informed on why and how to establish and enhance intergenerational ministry. A must-read for ministers.”

—Prof Anita Cloete, Stellenbosch University, South Africa

“Rich with case studies and storytelling, this book offers something to those starting out as well as those further along the journey. I greatly appreciated the wealth of advice for church leadership looking to bring about change in their faith communities.”

—Annette Osborne, Ministry Specialist, Scripture Union International and Scripture Union, Aotearoa, New Zealand

“Marrying theological underpinning with practical wisdom, it challenges the church to rethink how it patterns its worship and life so that the generations come together and flourish in faith. Wherever you or your church is on the journey, these essays offer encouragement, inspiration, and practical further steps.”

—Rev. Mary Hawes, National Children and Youth Adviser for the Church of England

“Engage All Generations is a smorgasbord of ideas for those intrigued by and/or curious about intergenerational ministry. It offers a menu ranging from philosophical and theological foundations to practical ideas and tools for ministry. I found myself most especially drawn in by the stories, successes, and challenges as entry points for exploration and implementation. It is an important addition to the conversation about intergenerational ministry. I will be returning to this table for nourishment again and again.”

—Dr. Tori Smit (DEdMin), Regional Minister for Faith Formation, Synod of Central, Northeastern Ontario and Bermuda, The Presbyterian Church in Canada, Toronto

“Filled with hopeful stories, theological reflections, and practical insights, Engage All Generations offers an international, pandenominational, and interdisciplinary lens on why intergenerational communities matter—biblically, theologically, and culturally—and how to intentionally foster a meaningful and vibrant intergenerational ministry culture. This book wisely calls readers to experience the abundance that arises in congregations where different age groups are integrated as vital participants. In the process, readers will capture a holistic and life-giving approach to discipleship.”

—Dr. Joel Thiessen, Professor of Sociology at Ambrose University, coauthor, The Millennial Mosaic

ISBN 9781684263219

Pages 256

Demensions (inches) 6 x 9

Weight (pounds) .5