Intergenerational Church: A Place for Everyone

Gen Z is feeling more alone than ever according to contributors of a recent Tri-territorial (UK, AUS, NZ). In Aotearoa New Zealand, 15- to 24-year-olds are reporting record levels of loneliness. In response to this, Kelly Cooper explores how the Church can help restore connection and belonging through intergenerational community.

You may already be familiar with statistics concerning loneliness among older adults in Aotearoa New Zealand. Around 10 percent of people aged 65 and over report feeling lonely all or most of the time—a figure that rises sharply to 50 percent among those aged 80 and above.

What may come as a surprise, however, is that young people aged 15 to 24 report the highest levels of loneliness—surpassing even our senior population. For this age group, loneliness is linked to an increased risk of depression and anxiety, lower life satisfaction, reduced self-esteem and challenges in forming and maintaining social relationships.

As loneliness reaches epidemic levels across many Western countries, these findings prompt an important question: What might it look like for the Church to respond in meaningful ways—especially for those aged 15 to 24? How can we foster genuine connection and a sense of belonging for young people who are longing to be seen, heard and valued within our faith communities?

UK experience

Calum Montgomery, a Salvation Army student worker in Manchester, England, observes, ‘This is a generation that’s searching for and craving authenticity’. As a member of Gen Z himself (those currently aged 13 to 28), Calum notes a growing openness among young people in the United Kingdom to explore spirituality—not just as a personal journey, but as a pathway to belonging. ‘Young people aren’t just experiencing transformation in their own lives,’ he says, ‘they’re actively seeking to be part of transformational communities.’

Captain Missy Ditchburn, children’s advisor with the Next Gen team, echoes this sentiment. She emphasises that community and spaces fostering authentic connection are vital for Gen Z. ‘Within the Church context, we can sometimes get distracted by events, organisation and things designed to attract Gen Z,’ Missy explains. ‘But what we often do is welcome them into these events and then silo them back out.’

Instead, she says, ‘Gen Z longs for a sense of belonging and shared ownership—spaces where they can see themselves reflected in the culture of the gathered community.’

The missing piece

‘We have to be especially gracious with our young people, because in most churches they are not owners. The common narrative is, “you have to wait until reach a certain age or position and then you get to have some say,”’ said Missy. ‘If that’s the model we’ve taught our young people about how church works, then that’s the model they’ll practise.’

She continues, ‘The reality is that a part of the body of Christ is missing if Gen Z is not in the room. We are incomplete. They need to be a part of shaping the direction of that community if they are to create shared ownership in our church communities.’

Cultivating intentional intergenerational faith communities brings rich benefits to every age group. When generations come together in worship, service and authentic everyday relationships, the Church begins to reflect the fullness of the body of Christ. In this shared space, belonging deepens, faith is strengthened and loneliness loses its grip.

Keep it simple

Meaningful connection begins with recognising and valuing the richness already present in our church communities. ‘It can be easy to feel discouraged when thinking about how to create intergenerational community,’ says Missy, ‘but you don’t need a big or complicated plan. Start by looking around and focusing on what you already have. Most churches include at least two or three generations, each with their own expertise and passions to share.’

To keep things simple, Missy suggests creating opportunities for bite-sized conversations that allow different generations to connect in non-threatening ways. This could include interactive activities, shared meals or physical tasks that naturally encourage conversation while the focus remains on the activity. These small, intentional moments can help build trust and connection across generations—without the pressure of formal programmes or complex planning.

Missy said a story from one church that shifted its focus from a school holiday programme to a new initiative designed to connect grandparents and grandchildren—facilitated by a Gen Z leadership team. It became a powerful opportunity to build mutual friendships across generations, while also meeting a real community need. In another faith community, a young person turned to older members of her intergenerational life group for guidance when navigating the process of buying a house.

‘I think it’s important to remember that we don’t have to start with Sunday mornings,’ Missy says. ‘Look for the opportunities you already have. How can you use your Family Store, foodbank or consider where mission is already happening? Let that inform how to gather and connect as a church.’

‘It’s a good time to be the Church,’ shares Missy. ‘There is so much opportunity to grow together.’ When we invite young people to actively participate and take ownership of the church, we create communities where all generations can thrive and enjoy authentic connection. In doing so, we respond to the epidemic of loneliness not with quick fixes or complicated plans, but with God’s design for community—living as the body of Christ, interdependent and united in faith, growth and life. We become the Church where there is a place for everyone—where no one stands alone.

Source: Tri-Territorial Webinar ‘Is There Really A Quiet Revival Taking Place?’