During the month of February I am going to be doing a workshop at our Women's Ministry conference hosted by the church. I am 29 years old, and most of the attendees will probably be in their 50's-60's. The topic that I have been asked to speak about is the bridging of the generation gap that exists with women.
I have written before how I have been blessed by my mother, her mother, and even my great-grandmother. My paternal grandmother and aunts have also invested in my life. In addition, I had a very close relationship with my great-great-aunt, who only passed away two years ago. Being from a family of mostly women, I know the joys and blessings that I've experienced through interaction with various generations. Even in our church community, I've been honored to know several mature woman who have invested in my life in a spiritual and ministerial sense.
I have several questions, and your insight would be extremely valuable.
1) Have you benefited from relationships with women from previous generations?
2) What role would you expect a more mature woman to play in your life?
3) Do you think there is a gap in our churches, and if so, what do you think can be done to bridge that disconnect between generations?
I sincerely appreciate any input!
The journal of a lady in love with 3 blue eyed men.
10 comments:
1) Yes; immensely. I've learned the most from the former generations.
2) Just be there for "coffee hour." A time to get around a living room and converse about anything that came to mind. I once shared an evening with me (in my 20s), several in their 40s, several in their 60s, and one in her 80s. It was amazing; we discussed schooling (home vs private vs public), Jesus, child raising, etc. It was AMAZING to hear the different view points of generations.
3) I think we just need to get a little friendly with people and invite them for dinner! Invite people inside and outside your perverbial social box and make friendS! I really don't think it's any more complicated than this.
Hey Bethany!
Just thought I'd stop by to see if you had any new posts...very good topic! I LOVED how our church offered the 'Apples of Gold' program for several yrs. It was birthed out of this very idea...that the older women in the church should help to shape and teach the younger women. Each week we would have a cooking demonstration (to hone our cooking skills) and a teaching on a specific topic, such as submission in marriage, childrearing, purity, etc... I know I gained so much from that experience...not to mention-new found friendships with some of the most incredible 'older' women in our church. They are so rich in wisdom and experience. And those friendships have carried on even years later. So...YES! There is such a need to bridge that gap! And I think, if we are provided with that kind of avenue for older women to reach out, we younger women of faith have so much to gain. Good luck honey! xoxo
Karis..too funny. My mom called this afternoon after she read the post and said, "Remember when Mrs. Kemp did Apples of Gold?" I'll have to mention this possibility to the ladies.
can older women benefit from those younger than them? what gifts can a younger generation offer?
I have been so blessed by the older women in my life. My mom and grandmothers have been caregivers, mentors and confidants.
I think it will take a conscious effort to bridge that natural gap between the generations. I saw someone mentioned Apples of Gold and I am so excited to start that program at my church next fall. Yay! But even a monthly women's night at church with the sole purpose of the generations mingling. With good food (women of all ages like good food!), great conversation starters and maybe a one-on-one mentoring program?
Just ideas...
Bethany...Yup yup! I was one of Bev Kemp's 'apples' LOL! Heather Gray was too. So funny. xoxo
Bethany...Yup yup! I was one of Bev Kemp's 'apples' LOL! Heather Gray was too. So funny. xoxo
i know one reason I didn't like a church down in MO was because it was all younger women...there were no older women to menotr and give life wisdom and insight out. So I went to another church. I think the church needs the older women and the older women need to be aware that the younger women need them and that they have so much to offer to us.
Can I please ask for your input on my last blog. Thank you and have a great day!
I've learned a lot from older women in my life, especially my mom. She's taught me much about ministry and how to survive it! But, I've also learned and gained insight from some of the women in church - even if they're only 10 yrs. older than me, they can teach me things about how to be a better mother and how to maintain your sanity while you're children are growing up. Not that I've come to the hard stages yet....Currently I"m in a Bible study that the ages range from 17-89. WOW! It's great to hear their life stories. But I would like to hear more advice or life experiences from some of the older women in our churches. Sad to say, but I experienced some things when I first had a baby from some of the older women that I didn't apprecaiate - like them telling me that I needed to feed my baby b/c he was hungry and asking me when was that last time I fed him, he's crying, he's obviously hungry. I would rather them not try to tell us how to raise our children since they've already done it and know everything about it. When it's your first time, yes, you are learning and you should be able to do that w/o someone breathing down your neck. But, also a mom knows her baby better than anyone else.
Ok, off of that, so I would expect a mature women to be helpful and give advice when it's asked for and not make new mothers feel like they're retarded and don't know what they're doing.
Yes, I think there is a definte gap, but Bible studies (that appeal to all ages) and things like that are helpful to bridge that gap. A lot of times younger people feel like the older people don't want them around or they think they're immature and vice versa the younger ones think the older women are just stuck in their ways and would hever understand what we're going through in our life. Yes, our lives are different today, but I still believe they have some things they can teach us. They too know what it's like to date, fall in love and be engaged and newly married....those who have been married for 50 years or more - I think they would have so many experiences to share and gleam from. They could teach us how we continue to pick up our husband's boxers everyday after 50 years without going insane!
So, maybe all of us just need to be a little more open to each other!
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