Grandparents Matter: Equipping Senior Adults to Perpetuate Faith

At the Assemblies of God Senior Adult Ministries Conference in Branson, Missouri, in September, several speakers and resources focused on the importance of intergenerational ministry. For many people in or approaching the senior demographic, one way such ministry can happen is through being a grandparent.

In a well-attended breakout session, Robb Dunham of 3 Generations Ministries shared some truths emphasizing the responsibilities, privileges and joys of grandparenting. Research indicates grandparents are the second most important influencers in children’s spiritual development, after parents, and followed by peers and mentors.

The grandparent demographic in the U.S. is a large one, with approximately one-third of the country's population fitting this profile.

Dunham based his presentation on Scripture, emphasizing the role of grandparents as storytellers, gatekeepers, and blessing givers. He warned that seniors must help prevent the tragic outcome of Judges 2:10, “Now another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor the things He had done.”

Dunham was ordained with the Assemblies of God in 1981, and served in pastoral ministry both at smaller rural churches and as a pastoral staff member at larger churches. He was also involved in evangelistic family ministry, kids crusades, and camps, where he became acquainted with Bob Cook, a former youth director in the Rocky Mountain Ministry Network and now Senior Adult Ministries' national director.

Over the years of ministry, Dunham became increasingly aware that just doing church once or twice weekly wasn’t sufficient for successfully passing on a legacy of faith, as cultural pressures and time demands increased on youth and families. He began conducting parenting seminars and enrichment meetings, which later developed into grandparenting training as well.

As Robb, now 72, and his wife, Jacqui, prepared to move back to their Colorado roots and retire from pastoral ministry, they were learning that in addition to supporting adult children in their parenting, grandparenting itself is significant. It is also important to avoid completely age-segregating portions of congregations in church ministry, instead allowing three generations to work together, both in family units and in church life.

“We can learn a lot from our younger members,” he says. “That’s why I like to think in terms of ‘perpetuating’ rather than ‘passing’ faith.” Dunham is careful to clarify the difference between a multi-generational church, which may offer programs for each different age group, and true intergenerational ministry in which the church is intentional about opportunities for all ages to interact together and learn from one another.

As God blessed the Dunhams with grandchildren of their own, they continued developing a three-generation ministry focus.

As 3 Generations Ministries developed, Dunham connected with Legacy Coalition, a Christian grandparenting ministry, and ElderQuest Ministries, focused on engaging generations together. He now serves as a representative for both groups when speaking and training in churches.

A grandparenting ministry in the local church is important for several reasons, highlighted in Dunham’s breakout session at the SAM Conference.

First of all, it can bring new energy and mission to senior adult ministry. While the term “senior adults” may suggest hymn sings, casserole dinners, and bus trips, most grandparents will gladly swap out some of those for instructional sessions about their role. Additionally, a grandparenting ministry helps address responses such as “I’ve done my time, let the young folks handle it,” when volunteer needs arise; such needs are instead seen as opportunities to bridge generations.

Intentional grandparenting ministry also helps affirm the importance of teaching faith at home rather than leaving it up to the church.

In the Biblical ideal, says Dunham, six adults would be invested in a child’s faith development—two parents and four grandparents. When illness or other challenges keep this from happening, the church can equip seniors not only for the ideal scenario but to bless other families as “spiritual grandparents”.

Grandparents can feel defeated and left out by rapidly changing culture and society, but by steering them toward impacting young lives, the church can recharge senior adults’ perception of their own value.

In his breakout session, Dunham offered practical first steps for starting a grandparent ministry in the local church.

First, he says, the idea must be covered in prayer, starting among church leadership and interested grandparents, and then adding youth and kids’ leaders. “With grandparenting beginning at an average of 47 years, you have grandparents involved at all levels of church ministry,” says Dunham. “As they pray, ideas will come.”

It is also important to establish pastoral support; the ministry should be lay-led but have a pastor or staff member actively championing the group.

As people see the need and commit, a core team can be built. At that point, a “vision event” can be held—perhaps a kick-off barbecue or tailgate. Training and resourcing opportunities can then be offered—actual curriculum study, small group meetings, or a guest speaker.

Both Bob Cook and Elly Marroquin, National Director of Christian Education & Discipleship for the Assemblies of God, are excited about developing ways to help churches with such a ministry.

“We want to be intentional about facilitating pathways for organic intergenerational ministry,” says Marroquin. “It can start as simply as handing out pizza at youth events, serving as a door greeter to engage families in conversation as they arrive at church, or offering to share a story in children’s church.”

The Christian Education & Discipleship and Senior Adult Ministries departments have partnered to create “Ignite Parenting: A Leader and Layperson’s Guide to Intergenerational Discipleship,” a pamphlet outlining the need and offering practical steps to start building such discipleship even before a formal group is in place.

With just a little intentionality, young people don’t have to become part of the nearly two-thirds of 18 to 29-year-olds who withdraw from church involvement, according to Barna Research.

Cynthia J Thomas

Cynthia J. Thomas worked for Assemblies of God U.S. Missions for six years before becoming primary caregiver for her father, a World War II veteran. She has served as a counselor for victims of domestic violence and women facing crisis pregnancies. Cindy and her husband, Phil, a schoolteacher, volunteer in youth outreach and have three adult children and one granddaughter.