The Generation Conversation (Sept. 21-23)
“Our youth now love luxury. They have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for their elders and love chatter in place of exercise; they no longer rise when elders enter the room; they contradict their parents, chatter before company; gobble up their food and tyrannize their teachers.”
-Socrates
"Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young." -Henry Ford
There have been many conversations at the Guild this summer on the topic of people and their churches and the growing rift they both see and feel between previous and current generations within their congregations. Most of these conversations were born out of a deep sense of frustration. In response to this--and in order to begin doing something tangible about the situation--we are hosting The Generation Conversation on September 21-23 here at the Guild. Because these dates are coming up rather quickly, we wanted to send a special e-mail announcement specifically for this event so that people have the opportunity to register.
Changes in technology, society and values are causing complete shifts in worldviews and, in some cases, understandings in what it means to be a person of faith and to participate in community. A lack of understanding about these issues--coupled with a lack of conversation--is creating a deep frustration between previous and younger generations. Each group is talking about "what needs to be done"...but there is very little cross-generational conversation occuring.
We want to change that. We want to get it all out on the table.
For 3 days we will explore the trends and changes in recent history that have brought us to this present point, as well as where, exactly, we are right now in history and why the church is changing in such a fundamental way. We will look at the different generations represented in most churches today and some of the defining characteristics of each, as well as the ways in which they view things quite differently from one another. We will spend time in respectful, constructive and honest dialogue about certain issues that different generations have quite different ideas about, all to promote understanding of each other's points-of-view. And, in the end, allow participants to return to their own churches to continue the dialogue and beging to further engage these issues in their own specific contexts.
People of all ages are invited to attend. However, because this sort of event depends on cross-generational participation, we would love to see churches sending 2-3 members of different ages to represent the generations within their congregations.
Cost of the event covers 2 nights of lodging (Fri & Sat) and all meals (Friday dinner through Sunday lunch). Price includes a shared room (2 twin beds per room). Private rooms available at an additional cost and based upon availability.
COST: $150/person; $75 for current seminary/university students or youth
(If your church is interested in providing a scholarshop to send a young adult or seminarian to the event who otherwise might not be able to afford it, please contact us.)
For more information or to register, visit the event page on our website. If you have any questions about The Generation Conversation, please don't hesitate to contact us.
