What is an All Age Service?

Have you ever noticed how everywhere you look society separates the age groups? We even ‘box different ages with labels like “Generation X”, “Baby Boomers” and “Gen Y”. Everywhere we are told that we all have such different attitudes, opinions, likes and dislikes that we can’t really get on. At best we can just tolerate our differences.

But Jesus brought people together- all different sorts of people! Young and old, rich and poor, men and women, different races, people with different politics. How the disciples were shocked when Jesus told them that the children were welcome, too. They didn’t yet understand that Jesus was building a community in which everyone was loved and welcomed.

But church life is often a mirror image of society. We divide up our church activities according to age and stage. This is fine except when you ask this question: When do we ever join together as a complete whole community of all ages?

Holy Communion is the one time. And rightfully so! All Age Worship seeks to take this a little further. By getting us to do activities together focussing on Jesus’ teaching, the All Age Worship tries to get us working together. This helps us to get to know one another by name.

Many people are shy about talking to others who aren’t part of their friendship group at church. But let me encourage you with my experience. You will find many beautiful people at church who will enrich your life and many of them are in a different age group to you.

Open yourself to really participating in an All Age Worship. You will be delighted to discover who Jesus has brought into his community at Living Faith Church.

Graeme