These generations can clash over issues ranging from worship styles to decision-making to missions giving. The key to overcoming the conflict lies in helping generations bridge the gaps and value diversity. Bringing the generations together might mean reintegrating generations, but it also can mean simply fostering interaction between the groups. The process begins with intentionally finding ways to get people of different ages together. An increasingly mobile society means that grandparents and grandchildren often are separated by several hundred miles.
Seniors can help mentor children and provide stability.
At one church, senior adults wanted to learn how to use e-mail, so they partnered with a local elementary school. The technologically savvy elementary students tutored the adults, and the adults became advocates for the children rather than adversaries. The intergeneration issues cluster group plans to inject what they have learned into existing KBC venues such as Super Saturday training events or the Senior Adult Celebrations. Even as the group encourages dialogue in churches regarding intergenerational issues, Babb said he doesn't expect conflict to simply disappear. There is no paved, easy answer.