Heart to Heart: One Church’s Inter-generational Journey
L-R: Ms Charissa, Rev Dr Henry Wong, Ms Ting Siew Lee
What does it take for the generations to walk together in unity?
Covenant Presbyterian Church (CPC) has been on a journey to foster inter-generational connections. Pastor Rev Dr Henry Wong and Ms Charissa, a next-generation lay leader, shared their journey and learning insights in a fireside chat facilitated by Ms Ting Siew Lee of Capelle’s Church Equip on 8 August 2023 at East Asia School of Theology. This was followed by breakouts into three smaller groups for guided discussions.
Church leaders and pastors from some 28 denominational and independent churches were in attendance for the event. During the breakouts, Pastor Henry, Charissa, and a church Elder, Joan, were the resource persons in each of the groups. The group members answered questions like “What are the mindset changes needed to build stronger intergenerational connections?” “What has worked well in your church that you can share to help others?” “Who needs to be involved for the church to better engage the generations?” etc.
Are People Feeling Lonely in Church?
Are you lonely? If you are, you are not alone. Rev Dr Tan Soo Inn, a panellist at the upcoming The Silent Pandemic: Loneliness in the Churches seminar, writes about the danger of loneliness found in today’s churches.
Rev Tan cites studies of urban church worshippers who found friendly believers in churches but not friends. This is coupled with the negative effect of loneliness being like that of obesity and smoking. Churches are gospel communities of those reconciled to God and to fellow man. How then do churches get their “relational act together” in addressing the issue of loneliness?
Hello, You’re Muted – InterGen Dialogue
Hearing every voice in the inter-generational dialogue
Relationships and communication across the generations of leaders are sometimes filled with tension and misunderstanding. Each generation often carries certain unspoken assumptions about the other, and we may have default ways of communicating that can hinder inter-generational understanding. EAST and Capelle are hosting a face-to-face dialogue to bring the generations together for a time of honest conversations. Hear from the panel members who are in their 30s to 60s, on how we can unlearn and relearn healthy ways to relate to one another, build a culture of inter-generational dialogue, and affirm the unique value that each generation brings to the family of God.
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