By Nicole Williams
November 8, 2023
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I consider it a privilege to have grown up in the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AMEC). The doctrine, culture, and traditions of the AMEC have shaped my faith and identity as a 23-year-old intergenerational leader in God’s kingdom, driving my personal values for service, justice, and obedience to God. My home church, Bethel AMEC, has served as an anchor institution in Morris County for 180 remarkable years. The longevity of churches like Bethel is a testament to God’s faithfulness and the power of tradition. It is an intergenerational ministry in which one has watered and another has sowed, but God has brought the increase to build a house for which only he can take the glory (1 Corinthians 3:6-8). As a young person growing in the unique context of the AMEC, I have witnessed our congregation being confronted with the challenge of bridging the gap between these time-honored traditions and the evolving needs of newer generations. Using my experience at Bethel as a small case study, this blog post explores how intergenerational leadership is made possible through cultivating the social capital within the congregation, embracing both the past and the future to bring forth the unity of the faith in our local church context (Ephesians 4:13-14).
When the pandemic hit in March 2020, Princeton University sent me home to finish my sophomore year virtually. Simultaneously, I was thrust forth to be the worship leader of our small local congregation because the choir could no longer gather in the sanctuary. My dad and I led the 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. services from the comfort of our home office. I sang; he preached. As I grew in my confidence as a worship leader and exhorter, I was given the responsibility of song selection. I worked hard to learn the hymns that were familiar to our congregation while also incorporating newer worship artists. Over time, I learned to mix worship sets to bridge what might seem like two different sounds together, to create something new: something uniquely “Bethel.” Having grown up in this local congregation since I was 10 years old, this church literally raised me. While how I sang and some of the songs I selected were different from what some of the more seasoned members of our congregation knew, they welcomed it because they know me: I was their daughter. Here in plain sight, almost too easy to miss, lies the secret to intergenerational ministry.
Rev. Dr. Sidney Williams Jr., our pastor (who also happens to be my father), argues in his book Fishing Differently, the need to cultivate the congregation’s social capital in order to make true kingdom impact. The social capital of a congregation can very simply be understood as the network of relationships that make up the congregation. This capital is not limited to the congregations’ members but those in the local community as well. Cultivating social capital comes through intentional relationship building with members of the congregation. Without this relational capital, the resources that the church needs to move forward will remain inaccessible. Leading intergenerationally means recognizing the importance of both older and newer generations in our churches. It acknowledges that the Holy Spirit is at work in all age groups, and we must create an environment that facilitates spiritual growth for everyone.
When I first began leading worship online, I would continuously check in with members of the congregation to receive feedback, asking them for song recommendations. I listened. And as we came back into the sanctuary to worship in person, I kept listening, working to make sure that all unique expressions of worship were exemplified in the diversity of song selections from Sunday to Sunday.
Having led worship in our intergenerational congregation for nearly four years, I’ve learned some core principles that make the work possible. Intergenerational leadership begins with a profound reliance on the Holy Spirit. It is through the Holy Spirit that hearts are transformed and lives are touched. Praying for God’s wisdom and discernment is paramount in understanding how to navigate the delicate balance between tradition and modernity. Our journey towards intergenerational leadership requires embracing both tradition and modernism.
Intergenerational leadership begins with a profound reliance on the Holy Spirit.
The AMEC’s rich history is a source of strength, but it should not be a barrier to change. Modernizing certain aspects of church life, such as worship styles or communication methods, can make it more accessible and appealing to newer generations. However, this must be done by building relationships with all generations, and having honest dialogue, in love, about what needs to be changed (and what can stay the same). Recently, for example, our pastor replaced the pews with chairs so that the church can rent out the space to local organizations. He spent over a year teaching on the importance of “preparing the sanctuary for our grandchildren” and hosting several discussion groups on the matter before finally making the decision.
An intergenerational church is inclusive, ensuring that people of all ages feel valued and heard. Older generations bring wisdom and experience, while younger ones offer fresh perspectives and energy. Engaging in open dialogues and seeking input from both ends of the age spectrum has fostered unity and growth. Intergenerational leaders must strike a delicate balance between honoring the past and envisioning the future. Acknowledging the importance of tradition doesn’t mean resisting change; rather, it means adapting tradition to meet the evolving needs of the congregation. Jesus’ metaphor of new wine in new wineskins reminds us that a changing world requires flexibility and innovation (Matthew 9:17). As leaders, we must be willing to let go of outdated practices that hinder our church’s ability to reach newer generations effectively.
Intergenerational leadership is not about choosing between the old and the new; it’s about blending them in harmony. It’s about cherishing our history while being open to the transformational power of the Holy Spirit in today’s context. The AMEC’s legacy is indeed a treasure, but it’s our responsibility to ensure that this treasure continues to shine brightly for generations to come. As we move forward, let us be guided by the Holy Spirit, embrace tradition and modernism, foster inclusivity, bridge the past and the future, and, most importantly, prepare new wineskins to hold the new wine of God’s message. In doing so, we can ensure that the AMEC, and all historic congregations, remain vibrant, relevant, and welcoming places for all, regardless of age, as we continue our sacred mission to spread the love and teachings of Jesus Christ.
Recently, I’ve begun leading worship on guitar with songs I’ve written—all a completely different genre to what Bethel has been used too. I was afraid at first, but I was welcomed and celebrated by our church mothers for the new sound. They have raised me. I am a product of their discipleship, and I have vowed to carry the torch of the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the next generation (Hebrews 12:1-2).
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Nicole Williams, Polaris Advisor (2023)
Nicole, author of The Unboxing: A Black Girl’s Journey of Mental Health, Faith, and Identity, founded LUNA, a global ministry empowering students to discover God’s purpose in academics while prioritizing holistic health. Over the last 5 years, LUNA has served hundreds of students, making a significant impact. Nicole also serves as the worship leader at Bethel Church of Morristown, New Jersey, under the leadership of her father, Rev. Dr. Sidney Williams Jr. Beyond ministry, her online coaching business, Covenant Consulting, equips Christian leaders to establish impactful online ministries and six-figure coaching businesses. Holding a BA in Sociology and a minor in French from Princeton University, Nicole plans to pursue a master’s degree in international relations at Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service, from which she will graduate in 2026.
