Bridging the Generational Gap: Shincheonji Seodaemun Church Restores Family and Community Connections

In an increasingly fast-paced digital world, generational gaps and declining family satisfaction have become significant social challenges in South Korea. According to Statistics Korea’s 2024 Social Survey, the percentage of citizens who report feeling satisfied with their family relationships dropped to 63.5% (a 1.0% decrease from two years prior). Crucially, the data revealed a steep perceptual divide: while 80.8% of those under 20 felt satisfied, only 55.0% of seniors aged 60 and over echoed that sentiment.

To address this deepening emotional isolation, the Seodaemun Church of the Simon Tribe of Shincheonji launched a structured "Intergenerational Buddy Program" during the Month of Families, creating a unique space for open dialogue, mutual respect, and emotional healing.


Creating Three Axis of Generational Connection

Rather than hosting a typical one-way event, the Seodaemun Church intentionally paired its six internal departments into three distinct, cross-generational communication axes:

  • The Adults & The Youth (Adult Men's Group & Student Group): This axis focused on joint worship and meal exchanges. The students prepared performances and food, while the adults focused entirely on active listening. Through "Question Cards," they asked deep, meaningful questions rather than superficial ones.

  • The Mothers & The Children (Women's Group & Children's Group): Children interviewed the mothers about their own childhood memories, while the mothers asked the children what words they most wished to hear at home.

  • The Elders & The Young Adults (Senior Advisory Group & Youth Group): The elders prepared snacks to encourage the hardworking youth, and the young adults responded by pinning carnations and reading handwritten letters of gratitude, soaking in the life wisdom of the older generation.

From Church Buddies to Household Healing

The program’s impact immediately vibrated through the participants' real homes, shifting how parents and children communicate on a daily basis.

Im Sang-gyu, a male congregant who participated in the adult-student exchange, shared: "At home, my conversations with my child were usually limited to mundane questions like 'How was school?' or 'Did you eat?' Through this program, I truly learned what is on the hearts of the younger generation and how they live out their faith."

Another participant, Seo Dong-han, highlighted the power of patience: "I realized that a parent must first practice the art of listening before a child can open their heart. Since the event, a new atmosphere of asking open questions and patiently waiting for answers has naturally formed during our family worship at home."

A Continuous Blueprint, Not a One-time Event

What sets the Shincheonji Seodaemun Church initiative apart is its commitment to sustainability. The church announced that this program will not end as a one-time celebration. A dedicated review system will monitor changes in household conversations, gauge intergenerational satisfaction, and support follow-up small group meetings.

A representative from the Seodaemun Church stated, "The restoration of a family begins with the smallest actions of expressing one's true heart. We will continuously monitor and support this initiative so that these church connections seamlessly translate into permanent, loving dialogues within every household."


Source: https://vo.la/ZKIk9cq

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