We’re stepping up to the plate for ALL the generations!

 

This is our time to bless the children, to listen to the young hearts, to encourage with stories of faith and faithfulness those who need them most, to hold the hand of one walking worthy into life’s final turn. And who will tell the baby about God’s eternal love, if not us?

In today’s church, both the young as well as older adults often feel marginalized and devalued. They remain in “silos” set apart. They sit on back pew sidelines, reluctant to admit to feelings of being disconnected. In their hearts they want something more. Something transformational. They’re everywhere and they’re hoping you can help make it happen for them. Well, maybe you can. It is time to call the family of God together!

There are young heroes standing alone for faith and hope on high school and college campuses every day. The stakes for them have never been higher and the excuses to leave the church never easier to come by. There are elder heroes who want to encourage the faith of their grandchildren or teens in the church or singles and young adult couples in need of someone who is willing to listen and strengthen them in the challenges they face. But how to do it effectively is the elephant in the sanctuary!

In The CASA Network’s upcoming Influence the Generations conferences, these and other issues will be raised and responded to by some of our finest leaders. Brad Griffin, Associate Director for the Fuller Youth Institute, and Jeff Mattesich, Associate Pastor of Students at Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena, California, will join the guy my grandkids call “Papa” in starting the conversation around the 50+ Ministry table. And Justin Blaney will be there to share ideas concerning the effective use of media in your ministry outreach.

We’ll talk about Sticky Faith, and your role in helping young people develop lifelong faith. Research tells us that 6 out of 7 high school seniors don’t feel equipped with a faith that prepares them for college. How can the older adult generations make a difference? It’s not enough to blame society or the media or even our churches. We must help adults get out of their seats and into the lives of kids and young adults, because this is not just a youth ministry issue. It’s a whole church issue!

This year we’re coming to Atlanta, Seattle/Tacoma, Minneapolis/St Paul, San Diego, Whittier, Ventura and The San Francisco Bay area. Local chairpersons are working in each locale to make every day a great day for your church. Senior pastor, mark your calendar. Plan to spend a day with your ministry team, including your youth pastor, and the midlife and beyond age men and women of your church. It’s a great time for inspiration and relationship building. If you’re thinking “intergenerational” this is your built-in opportunity to get the ball rolling.

Visit the gocasa.org/events page. The regional events link to the right will provide more information. You can register online by clicking on the big “Buy Tickets” buttons. You can also download a form to register a group by mail. Call our toll free number 888.200.8552 for additional information. Groups that become a “partner” or “sponsor” organization receive five FREE passes for your ministry team!

Jeff Mattesich says, “It’s a bold move…something I’ve never seen before. Not just a worship conference for worship people, or a student conference for student people; we’re coming together to have the right conversation about influencing all the generations for the benefit of being the church…and seeing what God will do!”

I agree with Jeff. I hope you do to. It’s not too early to make plans to join us in learning how to better influence the generations in your family, your church, your workplace and your world.

Contact us for more information. Register right away. I’ll see you there!

 

 

 

 

Ward

 

  • August 25 – Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, Marrietta, GA.
  • October 5 – Westminster Chapel, Bellevue, WA.
  • October 19 – Rockpoint Church, Lake Elmo, MN.
  • October 30 – Emmanuel Faith Community Church, Escondido, CA.
  • November 1 – Whittier Area Community Church, Whittier, CA.
  • November 3 – Ventura Baptist Church, Ventura, CA.
  • November 10 – Mt Hermon Christian Conference Center, CA.