How to maximize leaders of all ages in your church

• Understand that we must pass the torch to the next generation (Psalm 79:10-13).
• Realize that the church consists of children, young adults and fathers (1 John 2:12-14).
• Cultivate mentoring relationships like Paul did with Timothy (1 Timothy 4:11-15).
• Recognize and appreciate the core values, communication styles and leadership strengths of each generation — Builders (81 years and above), Boomers (62-80 years), Gen X (46-61 years),
• Millennials (30-45 years) and Gen Z (14- 29 years).
• Facilitate engagement between the generations. Create events and environments where Boomers and Gen Z can hang out together and get to know each other.
  Learn to respect each generation, because we are all made in the image of God.
• Resolve tensions between the generations by following Biblical principles. Don’t look for a new system to resolve intergenerational conflicts. The principles laid out in God’s Word to resolve these conflicts and tensions are sufficient.
• Embrace the risk involved in this process, because we cannot have growth without taking risks.

(Gleanings from the breakout session “Maximizing Leaders Of All Ages” at the Who’s Your Next? Conference held in Tempe in February. This breakout was presented by Tom Burks, lead pastor of Stone Ridge Church in Yuma.)

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