S2E5: Intergenerational communication skills, with Rachel Turner

The Roots for Churches podcast

In this conversation, Roots' Managing Director, Melanie Cave, chats with Rachel Turner, author and founder of Parenting for Faith about intergenerational communication skills. Together they explore the nuances of intergenerational communication in church settings. They discuss the importance of effective communication skills, the misconceptions surrounding communication with children, and the need for authenticity and warmth in leadership. The dialogue emphasises the significance of creating safe spaces, permission and pathways for engagement, facilitating connections with God, and the role of community in faith. They also address the challenges of balancing control and freedom in worship, the importance of cultural change in church settings, and the value of embracing imperfection in worship experiences. Rachel has worked for over 15 years as a Family Life Pastor, Children's Pastor, and a Youth Pastor, and served on church senior leadership teams. She continues to consult, speak at conferences and run training days for church leaders, parents and families around the world. Rachel Turner is currently the discipleship lead at Hope Church, Harrogate. She is the author of ten books for families, parents and church leaders including Parenting as a Church Leader, Comfort in Uncertain Times, It Takes a Church to Raise a Parent and her new release Parenting Teens for a Life of Faith. Takeaways

• Intergenerational communication requires good communication skills. Do your prep work.
• Communication skills can be learned and refined over time.
• Misconceptions about communicating with children can limit effective engagement.
• Intergenerational communication is relevant for all ages, not just children.
• Preparation for communication should focus on clarity and purpose.
• Creating safe spaces for engagement is essential for meaningful experiences. Share what you're going to do, what you want them to do, and what God will do based on scripture.
• Balancing explanation and mystery enhances worship experiences.
• Permission and comfort in engagement foster deeper connections.
• Authenticity in communication builds trust and connection.
• Community and getting involved plays a vital role in individual faith journeys.

If you want to hear more from Rachel, I encourage you to check out her article in the July/August 2025 Roots Worship Together Issue 138, or watch the recording of the Intergenerate UK webinar on Intergenerational Preaching, where she was one of our guests. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QM8JDNpDUk

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Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Intergenerational Communication 03:27 The Importance of Communication Skills 06:10 Misconceptions in Communicating with Children 08:42 Preparing for Intergenerational Communication 11:21 Navigating Experiences in Church Settings 14:00 Creating Safe Spaces for Engagement 16:15 Permission and Authenticity in Communication 19:10 Balancing Structure and Warmth in Leadership 21:55 The Role of Technology in Engagement 24:28 Authenticity vs. Performance in Communication 28:32 Embracing the Role of a Servant 31:42 Facilitating Connection with God 35:10 Creating a Culture of Permission 37:23 Navigating Intergenerational Dynamics 40:54 The Importance of Community in Worship 44:23 Redefining Church Expectations 49:35 The Value of Imperfection in Worship 55:55 Introduction to Roots and how to find out more