Why You Should Be a Church Grandparent

Beyond biology, being a “church grandparent” is about connecting and caring for spiritual children.

Key Points

Be prepared to change your thinking and approach to who a grandparent is.

“Everyone, no matter whether you’ve been married, divorced, have kids, don’t have kids, if you’re a certain vintage, you actually can be a church grandparent,” said Ian Barnett from National Grandparent Movement.

Speaking with Hope Mornings’ Ben McEachen on the Grandparenthood Podcast, Ian discussed that a “certain vintage” is less about age and more about experience, faith, and willingness to invest in others.

Alongside biological grandparents, older Christians can be intentional nurturers within their local churches, in a Grandparenthood episode inspired by Trevin Wax’s insights at Gospel Coalition.

Older generations can engage in fellowship with youth in meaningful ways.

Shifting focus from lineage to legacy

Church grandparents aren’t defined by family trees.

Instead, they are spiritual mentors, living testimonies of God’s faithfulness. By being present and available in their communities, they model what walking with Jesus looks like across seasons of life.

Ian believes that the “convergence of life experience and faith” enables them to speak into young lives with credibility and care. They can provide encouragement, stability, and mentorship across generations.

There is a growing need for church grandparents to address and counteract declining biblical literacy.

Answering the need for deeper biblical engagement

One of the more pressing issues Ian raised is the decline in biblical literacy among younger Christians.

“More and more I’m hearing this comment.”

“The younger generations now are more Bible admirers than Bible readers.”

For Ian, this presented an opportunity for older Christians to gently guide others into deeper engagement with Scripture.

He encouraged church grandparents to share personal insights from their own Bible study and to model what it looks like to prioritise God’s Word.

Rather than scolding or shaming younger generations, Ian urged a lifestyle of quiet leadership.

“It’s about demonstrating that the Bible is not just to be admired but lived,” he said.

There is huge potential to impact your church community through grandparental roles.

Encouraging active involvement and spiritual presence

Church grandparents are encouraged to step in — not step back.

Ian is passionate about helping people see the value they still bring to their church communities.

He shared this practical encouragement: “Talk to your pastor, go and engage with them and say, ‘What could I do?'”

Based on your gifts, experience and interests, church grandparent “roles” might include mentoring young couples, joining children’s ministry events, praying for leaders, or being a steady, listening ear.

The point is participation, not perfection.

“Whether through volunteer work or sheer presence,” Ian said, “[church grandparents] provide stability and support.”

Listen to this episode of GrandParenthood in the player above, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Building community across generations

Being a church grandparent isn’t just a label or another roster to fill.

This relationship role can reflect how the body of Christ is designed to function, with every part needed and valued.

As older Christians reach out and younger ones receive, mutual respect can grow.

Churches begin to feel more like home — grounded, welcoming, and alive with the shared goal of growing in faith together.

Listen to this episode of GrandParenthood in the player above, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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