This book review was written by Marc Potvin, Director of Field Education, and is featured in this month’s Dio E-Newsletter, a monthly update shared with the wider community. Marc offers a reflection on A Gospel for All Ages, exploring its insights into intergenerational preaching and ministry. The book highlights how churches can connect generations through simple, biblically grounded practices.  

Csinos, David M. A Gospel for All Ages: Teaching and Preaching with the Whole Church. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2022, 212 pages.

This book fills a void in practical ministry, that of connecting the gospel to all ages in a systematic way. Too often in church, the various age groups are siloed. There is a ministry for children, one for youth, one for young adult, and one for older adults. A Gospel for all Ages seeks to connect, or reconnect, all generations as a whole people of God.

It is divided in three parts. The first, Understanding Intergeneration Preaching, provides a foundational understanding of preaching, more specifically intergenerational preaching. But the book is more than a discussion only on preaching.

A Gospel for All Ages addresses the angst that exists in many congregations that face declining attendance and resources. Csinos demonstrates that Intergenerational ministry is simple and inexpensive to implement. It really is a return to the basics and has strong biblical roots.

While this book will be most helpful for those who have a preaching ministry in the church, it is a worthwhile read for anyone who cares about the church. Afterall, integrational ministry is the responsibility of everyone in a congregation because it is a matter of spiritual formation.

In the first chapter, Csinos explains how the church has become siloed generationally and how it has hampered the ministry of the church to the world and brought us to where we are today. As with every chapter, the author, who teaches at the Atlantic School of Theology in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the reader will find questions for reflection and practical exercises that are accessible to any church. This component of the book makes it ideal for a small group in a church to study and discuss.

In chapter 2, Csinos turns to the subject of preaching proper, laying the background for the next two chapters on intergenerational homiletics and preaching, using Jesus as an example.

In the second part of the book, Csinos gives practical examples of what intergeneration ministry and preaching looks like, using the experience of a variety of churches spread throughout the Western world. The final section of the book offers guidance on how a church can become intergenerational.

All in all, A Gospel for All Ages, is an “how to” book laid on a strong theoretical and theological foundation. It is easy to read, informative and full of good ideas and written by someone who resides in Canada!