How Two Grants are Shaping Intergenerational Worship

When we think about worship, it can be easy to view children, youth, and adults through separate lenses. But how do different generations actually learn to sing, pray, and lead together?

In Ontario, two distinct projects funded by the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship (CICW) are tackling this question from complementary angles—one through academic field research, and the other through grassroots congregational life.

As assistant professor of music and program director of the Music and Worship Program at Redeemer University in Ancaster, Ont., Laura Benjamins brings a unique background in music education to the study of church music.

Through her project, Benjamins is evaluating the musical curriculum of local churches. Benjamins and a team of undergraduate research assistants are conducting field observations and interviews at local Reformed congregations—including Grace Toronto (PCA) and New Life CRC in Guelph, Ont. Her research examines how worship leaders choose and teach new songs, and how different age demographics—from young children to adults—absorb church music.

“If we’re really passionate and we believe in intergenerational worship, we need to be thinking about how that actually happens in practice,” said Benjamins.

Benjamins is particularly passionate, she said, about challenging common assumptions people make about children, youth, and music selection. She cautions against "dumbing down" theology or relying strictly on high-energy, surface-level songs to engage younger demographics.

“I think it’s problematic when we choose children’s songs based on our assumptions without thinking about children also needing sound, robust theology,” Benjamins said. “That doesn’t mean simplifying the theology of our songs. . . . It’s so good for children to see parents singing theological concepts that they don’t even fully understand yet, because it’s passed down. It’s all formative.”

Drawing on concepts from youth ministry, Benjamins advocates for "unlocking keychain leadership"—inviting youth and children into meaningful musical leadership, offering them clear criteria for song selection, and recognizing them as full members of the covenant community. Her ultimate goal is to translate her research into practical workshops for local worship leaders, a new university curriculum at Redeemer, and a broader network of support for church musicians.

While Benjamins evaluates the processes behind congregational song, Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Dunnville, Ont., is applying those same intergenerational principles on the ground.

Through their project, Bethel CRC members are focusing on training in the theology and practice of leading worship. Their goal is to equip leaders and help members of all ages find belonging and purpose in worship. For Bethel’s pastor, Jeff Klingenberg, that mission comes down to relational stewardship. “The main goal is to give glory to God and to build up God’s people,” said Klingenberg. “The other piece is about bettering our intergenerational relationships within the church of Jesus Christ.”

To guide this work, Bethel formed a unique, cross-generational advisory team affectionately named “Boom to the Zed”—a nod to the spectrum of generations spanning from the Baby Boom to Gen Z. Meeting every few weeks, the group reads resource material like One Church, Four Generations, reflects on worship practices, and offers feedback directly to church leadership.

That intergenerational intentionality is spilling over into every corner of Bethel’s ministry, said Klingenberg. Sunday-morning praise teams regularly feature musicians spanning two or three generations. High school students are receiving drum and guitar lessons from mature worship leaders, while older congregants and youth alike learn songs from both traditional psalters and modern online artists.

Bethel CRC is using their grant not only “to help educate the congregation in terms of youth ministry, but also to help young people appreciate senior and adult ministries as well,” Klingenberg added. “We want people to wake up in the morning feeling a little more assured, a little more confident, knowing that God is faithful.”

A driving force behind these initiatives is Bethel’s music director, Char Oudman, who serves as a bridge between Sunday-morning worship and midweek youth ministry. Oudman said, “Intergenerational worship at Bethel creates opportunities for all ages to engage with and mentor one another. Connecting generations through music and worship strengthens discipleship, faith formation, and leadership in our church community.”

Though Benjamins approaches worship through university-level qualitative research and Bethel CRC works through pastoral, congregational leadership, both efforts reflect a shared conviction: intergenerational worship isn't focused on targeting individual demographics in isolation but is cultivating spaces where each generation can learn from and lead alongside one another.

Both projects are made possible by the Vital Worship, Vital Preaching Grants Program at the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship. Every year, the program seeks to foster, strengthen, and sustain well-grounded public worship throughout the United States and Canada by funding creative, thoughtful projects rooted in intergenerational faith formation, preaching, baptism, the Lord’s Supper, universal design, and cultural engagement.

The program operates through two distinct grant streams:

• Grants for Teacher-Scholars: Supporting integrated research projects that connect worship with other academic disciplines led by scholars teaching at seminaries, colleges, or universities (exemplified by Benjamins' research at Redeemer).
• Grants for Worshiping Communities: Encouraging congregations, parishes, schools, and other communities to promote renewed creativity, theological integrity, and relevance in their local worship services (exemplified by Bethel CRC's ministry in Dunnville).

Together these two streams show how academic research and local church practice can work hand-in-hand to nourish the spiritual life of the church.

Are you a pastor, worship leader, or church member passionate about intergenerational worship and musical formation in your local church? Laura Benjamins welcomes dialogue, questions, and connection with local CRC congregations as she continues analyzing her research findings. You can reach her by email at [email protected].