Don't Forget Single Adults When Planning Family Ministries

According to current data, 54 percent of the U.S. population is single. Often in our congregations, the perception remains that only people with children are included in "family ministry." This eliminates couples without children and singles. All are a part of God's family, and family ministry needs to be planned with all in mind. Here are some suggestions for including singles in ministry:

1. Be welcoming. Accept diversity. Recruit singles for leadership. Invite constantly and personally.


2. Focus on forming faith. Listen to what singles need. Provide leaders who have a heart for singles. Offer study at times in addition to Sunday morning. Include studies that focus on faithful living, such as use of money and time, discovering vocation, sexuality.


3. Connect singles into the congregation. Provide networks of support with other singles, couples, and multigenerational families. Use examples from lives of singles in sermon illustrations, newsletter articles, and visuals.


4. Recognize time limitations. Plan short-term activities. Inform singles often about ministry opportunities. For single parents, provide childcare.


5. Address the areas of stress in singles' lives. Many of these are a part of U.S. culture — fast-paced living; long commutes; living away from extended family; demanding jobs; lack of job mobility; economic woes; broken relationships.


6. Look at the realities of singles' lives. There are a growing number of singles who co-habit (live with another adult in a significant relationship without being married). There are numbers of young adults who live together with the intention of marrying some day. There are rising numbers of seniors who live together with no intention of marrying because it would jeopardize their financial situation. Address the topic of healthy relationships — what they are and how to have them.


7. Invite singles into leadership roles in the congregation. In addition to singles' ministries, singles can be effective lay leaders, chairs of administrative councils, chairs for family ministries, liturgists, and so on.

What's Happening

Planning for Family Ministries

Peacemaking Begins at Home

Families: Called to Hope

Worship at Home

Don't Forget Single Adults

Marriage Enrichment Opportunities

Resources

Upcoming Events

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