A new report from CoGenerate, a national nonprofit working to bridge generational divides in all pillars of daily life, called Honest Conversations: Faith Leaders on the Real Work of Intergenerational Collaboration, presents an opportunity for faith communities to strengthen intergenerational efforts.

The report begins with insights into what helps and hinders intergenerational efforts in faith spaces, focusing on four insights on culture, conflict, power, and relationship. The next section lifts up the possibility of cogeneration as spiritual practice, including stories from leaders experimenting with new ways to bring generations together. The last section focuses on reflections, with lessons learned, discussion questions, and a conversation guide. The report’s content is based on interviews with a diverse group of 42 faith leaders, ages 20 to 85, plus a national survey of 1,500 adults conducted by YouGov.

The central message is an urgent one for all houses of worship, seminaries, faith-based nonprofits, and interfaith organizations: Faith communities have the infrastructure and the spiritual mandate to bring generations together as a source of societal healing and renewal. But the task requires leaders to reckon honestly with power dynamics, embrace constructive conflict, and cultivate relationships that can weather difficulty and grow stronger through it.

More information is available in the full report here and may be helpful to age- and dementia friendly community initiatives, providing an opportunity to engage local faith leaders.