The Intergenerational Ministry Conference
October 2004

Hosted by
Korean Christian Reformed Church
Westminster, California 

Sponsored by
Calvin Institute of Christian Worship
Calvin Theological Seminary
Christian Reformed Home Missions
Korean Council of Christian Reformed Churches

The "Intergenerational Ministry Conference" was held at the Korean Christian Reformed Church of Orange County in October, 2004, with presenters on Dutch-American immigration (Dr. James DeJong of CTS), Latino-American (Rev. Pedro Aviles of Grace & Peace Fellowship, Chicago IL), Chinese-American (Dr. Timothy Tseng of American Baptist Seminary of the West at Berkeley CA), and Korean-American (Rev. Bob Oh of Oikos Community Church in Los Angeles). Other speakers included Rev. Peter Shin of the host church, Rev. Al Mulder of CRHM, and Dr. Jung Suk Rhee of Fuller Theological Seminary. Revs. Tong Park and Kathy Smith moderated the event.

Those who attended this conference found it a time of renewal through multicultural worship and fellowship, the reflections on ministry, the interaction with pastors across cultures, and through learning on topics related to multiculturalism and intergenerational ministries.

We learned that there are many similarities between immigrant groups and the struggles their churches go through as they adjust to existence in a new country and society. We also learned that the different historical contexts in which these immigrations occur greatly affect the process of assimilation. Overall, we were called to remember the faithfulness of God's covenant even as demographic patterns lead to changes in the church.