Schools, elderly homes, cadets, brownies, scouts, colleges and churches have something in common. They all thrive on the separation of generations. These institutions and more are built on the premise that the best way to serve the particular needs on offer is to put them in various generational groupings.
Interesting to note church being on that list, but don’t take my word for it – youth groups are a standard part of the church’s set-up. There are few initiatives that actually need intergenerational collaboration. Unsurprisingly a generation grows up reinforcing its own perspective and often railing against perceived limitations of another generation.
Rather than sons learning from fathers and daughters learning from mothers, a generational expert or team of experts is put over the generation to lead them in what they’re meant to be thinking and/or leave them to foment their own view on how things should be. It reminds me so much of the Rehoboam situation where at the death of Solomon his son to rule is asked to relieve the people of the burdens placed on them by the predecessor. Reho asks the old guys who knocked about with Solomon, then he asks his homies. Surprise, surprise Reho prefer his homies to his elders. I wonder if events today would be any different. I wonder if there is a view on the intergenerational contact that is so embedded in the family dynamic of church that the younger desires to grow from the advice of the elder who seeks to come alongside and support the progress of the younger.
And how can that happen, when there is such an onus on youngers doing it for themselves, leaving the elders in positions of authority and influence with little effective engagement with those set to take over from them.
Doesn’t make sense to me.
Check that family dynamic. As a child, I only grow effectively because of the love and responsibility of the elders – Mum and Dad predominantly. Why would I shun that as I get older just to knock about with peers who don’t even have the insight of experience that the elders should have?
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not lauding the elders as though they are the standard-bearers of all truth to which all young people should kow-tow. I’m talking about better intergenerational relationships. I’m talking about intentional family dynamics that sees young and old together for Christ. I’m talking about life not geared to the separation of generations, but to a harmonious fluid arrangement that sees energy and wisdom transfer and embolden all in the mutual desire for edification.
Not too much to ask for I reckon. When you read Paul’s words to Timothy and note his own concern for such intergenerational dialogue, it’s no wonder people were likely to be loose in their conduct, because mothers were not protecting daughters while sons rebelled against fathers. This is typical of the end-time scene painted by Paul as a sign of social deterioration. As seen in the Reho situation – it’s not new, but the deal is to learn from history so as to avoid making the same mistakes.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
dmcd
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