The Lausanne Generations Conversation held at Biola University, La Mirada California

From one generation to the next

The Lausanne Generations Conversation (LGC) was built around the Generations Integration Pyramid. This pyramid was constructed on five principles: biblical vision, missional calling, friendship, mutuality, and collaboration. The pyramid describes and provides the roadmap for inter-generational integration to see the Great Commission being fulfilled. We looked at Psalm 78, where we saw that the global church needs new inter-generational examples, as well as Matthew 28, which reminds us that we are commissioned both geographically and generationally.

Insights from Acts 9 and Acts 15

During the event, we learned that the choices of one generation impact the next. We explored Scriptures like Acts 9:1-31 and Acts 15:36 - Acts 16:5, discovering how bravery, courage, and obedience were required for the Great Commission to reach new people and new generations.

Our program included sessions of prayer and scripture, working through sections in Acts to discover how the disciples modeled a life of intergenerational friendship and mission. We also engaged in discussions about intergenerational friendship, had a friendship experience at Newport Beach, and explored the challenging topic of collaborative leadership in today’s church.

A moment that I will forever cherish took place after our commissioning service, with 100 leaders greeting one another in faith. This is where I saw a glimpse of God’s intended purpose for his church — one diverse body connected and working together to see heaven come to earth.

Nurturing Intergenerational Friendships and Mission

One of the biggest lessons from this gathering was that it requires a specific posture to engage in intergenerational friendships and mission. We see in 1 Timothy 4:12 that Paul encourages Timothy not to let anyone look down on him because of his youth, but to set an example for the believers in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.

As the next generation, we are called to take up the responsibility of living a life worth imitating. Acts 2:17 reminds us: “I will pour out my Spirit on all people during the last days. Your sons shall prophesy, young men will see visions, and old men will dream dreams.” God’s plan has always been for his church to be built from one generation to the next, with generations working together, not in isolation.

Fearless Bridge-Building in God’s Kingdom

The Lausanne Generations Conversation has shown me the value of intergenerational friendships. As the next generation, it is our responsibility to engage and initiate these friendships that stretch beyond our borders and comfort zones. The global church needs a next generation that will fearlessly and faithfully build bridges, not walls — a generation that engages despite our differences and disagreements. All this, to see this one thing: God’s Kingdom, His great Commission to His people, reaching the ends of the earth.