Interview with Dr. Chuck Stecker

BMC: Chuck, what does it mean to have an intergenerational church and what does one look like? 

CS: We often confuse "intergenerational" with multi and cross-generational. Intergenerational is not a program or a new ministry. InterGenerational is an "environment" that intentionally grows relationships that cross generational boundaries and ways of thinking normally associated with one age group or another.

 

BMC: Why is it important for church leaders to be thinking "intergenerationally?"

CS: The funny thing is that most leaders already know that it is important to be thinking "intergenerationally." In addition, they have already been given a vision from God that His church is to be His family. Every leader I speak with is not asking "why," they are asking "how" and wanting to know if anyone help them.

 

BMC: What good role models exist for intergenerational ministry? 

CS: Outside the church we are seeing a huge movement in the business community that already understands the need to connect generations for effectiveness. In addition, the greatest role model for "intergenerational" ministry is the family. By design and God's plan, the family is intended to be intergenerational.

 

BMC: What are some of the most important things a church leader can do to cultivate an intergenerational environment? 

CS: Realizing that this is a major part of Anchor Points seminars, one of the great things that leaders can do is create value for all age groups or generations that is increased when we relate and serve beyond our own age group.

 

BMC: Tell us about your ministry, A Chosen Generation. How did God lay this burden on you? 

CS: I am in the slow reading group. God has a tendency to give me a little to chew on and if I do not choke on that, He gives me a little more. I began in 1996 by exploring God's plan for adulthood for our two sons. This lead me to beginning rites of passage. Even with that, I did not anticipate God launching a specific ministry in me to help churches conduct ceremonies for their young adults. In time God revealed His purpose for me to not just equip and train churches in the need and conduct of rites of passage, but the strategies for intergenerational ministry. It has become a fantastic ride for me and clearly my passion. This is not what I do, but who I am and why I was created.

 

BMC: You say that you were created for this. Do you have a clear purpose or mission statement for your life that you would like to share? 

CS: Absolutely! My mission statement is: "To equip and train Godly leaders who will intentionally reproduce into generations yet to be born."

 

BMC: What can leaders expect to learn at your upcoming Anchor Points seminar? 

CS: We slowly unpack 3-4 days of "graduate-level" training in an 8 hour period to help leaders bring clarity to the vision that God has already given them regarding a church family for all generations. Leaders will leave with a better understanding of the generations in their church. In addition, they will be introduced to concepts of lifewalking, ministering in transitions, intentional relationships of coaching, mentoring and encouraging. One of the most important "takeaways" from Anchor Points is a "common language" among the various ministry leaders.

 

BMC: What do you mean by a "common language?"  

CS: Most often in our churches, the pastors go to their seminars and the men theirs. In addition, the women go to theirs as well as the youth or student ministry leaders to their own. Now the "seniors" have theirs and when everyone gets together, no one speaks the same language. They are trying to say the same things with different words and often different definitions. The result is just frustration and conflict. Whatever we do, it just gets easier if we are starting with the same definitions.

BMC: Thanks Chuck. We're looking forward to learning more about creating an intergenerational church when you are here with us on April 27th.