Recognizing and bridging common intergenerational differences in a Korean American congregation

There has been a growing concern about issues that divide the older and younger generations who make up the congregations of Korean American churches in the United States. As a result, many of the younger generations are leaving or have already left the church. In order to stop this "Silent Exodus" and to serve the needs of the Korean American community, we need to find ways to promote understanding and respect between the two generations.;As the study investigator, I devised a series of meetings to observe the interactions between a group of older and younger generations of Korean Americans who currently attend the Gethsemane Korean Protestant Church in Queens, New York, a typical Korean Protestant church that I am familiar with. There were five participants in the group of older Korean Americans and five participants in the younger group. All were volunteers. Each group meets separately with me two times. During which we discussed their opinions about the older generation including their parents and grandparents or the younger generation including children and grandchildren. There were three combined sessions in which I planned an activity that they could all join and participate in. These sessions were observed by myself and my lay advisory committee members. Information about the dynamics of the sessions was gathered in the form of notes made by myself and the director of the younger generation group.;Game of Wii was successful in proving that the older generation can participate and enjoy new activities with the younger group. Also, the younger generation was naturally curious about Korean culture and customs that can be explained and fostered by the older generation. Problems of language, food choices, cultural expectations and mutual respect which were identified in the study can be bridged by church programs which can bring together young and old in meaningful activities. The Korean American Church needs to adapt to new strategies for unifying all age groups within the congregation in order to counteract the "Silent Exodus" these churches currently face.