Stepping Over the Gap
by Erik Johnson
April 1, 1999
Dan Ruiter embodies the term "baby buster." Single and 23, Dan majored in music in college, plays jazz trombone, and collects Miles Davis CDs. He sports a goatee and bleached hair, dresses casually when he goes to church, and wears a leather jacket and chaps when he rides his Suzuki 850 GS motorcycle.
And, oh yes, he attends a small group Bible study with people in their fifties and older.
"My parents split up when I was 16," Dan explains. "My dad was a workaholic and did not disciple me. So when our church offered age-blended small groups, I signed up, because older folks know what's up. On my very first visit, I told the group, 'I'm looking for a mentor.'"
He found Charles Bartlett, a retired law enforcement officer. "As the weeks passed," Dan says, "we reached a level of trust where I could ask pointed questions, seek advice, and even explore areas in my life I needed to work on."
Dan and Charles represent what is becoming a renewed interest in many churches—trans-generational ministry.
Many pastors are realizing the need to bring the wisdom of gray-haired saints together with the spiritual hunger of frosted-haired busters. Here's how three churches blend the generations.
Uncover common goals
Northwest Baptist Church of Bellingham, Washington, made generation blending a priority. Their mission statement, printed on the front of their bulletin, reads, "Building a trans-generational community of faith, committed to biblical preaching and practice, to invite others into a relationship with Christ."
"One step in breaking down barriers between young and old," says Pastor George Bedlion, "is bringing them together to work on common goals that address each others' values. The young folks valued their growing families and the older ...
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