by Jill Potts

Created on: July 27, 2008   Last Updated: July 28, 2008

Is there a need for singles ministry in the Church? What would the purpose be? It may seem odd to some to have a ministry built around marital status what difference would this make in the Kingdom of God? Is the ministry for the singles already in the church, or to reach outsiders? These are all valid questions to consider before starting a singles ministry in your church. Is it simply a social outlet, or is it really a ministry? So many times the label of "ministry" is given to something that is really just a social gathering. There is nothing wrong with social gatherings, quite the contrary. They have their place in ministry, but when determining a ministry is needed in your church, sometimes looking at the "why?" will help shape your outcome.

For most of us, singleness is a season. We are unified in this state for three main reasonsdivorce, widow, or never married. Some of us are parents. Some of us wish to marry one day, while others are happily content to stay single.
As single adults, especially in a church of strong family values, we often question where we belong in the Body. As singles our struggles are not more or less than our married counterparts, but unique to our lifestyle. The youth in our midst provide energy and excitement. Couples are building the strong family foundation our society desperately needs. Their presence blesses the Body.
There are factors typical of adulthood regardless of marital status. Stress, loneliness (yes, even married people experience loneliness) and pressures mark our lives. Finances are stressful regardless of marital status. Parents will always worry for their children. Careers and goals are sought often with struggle, and all too often we all find ourselves in a rut.

So if there is so much in common, why a separate ministry?

The population of singles in America is at an all time high. "Unmarried adult Americans are the population equivalent of the 14th largest nation on earth." (See article by Earl Creps, Singular Opportunity: Reaching Unmarried America, http://enrichmentjournal.ag.org/200003/046_singular_ opportunity.cfm) forty percent of American adults are unmarried. This is a mission field. I live in the Metropolitan Detroit area, with several major universities in the area; single adults from all walks of life comprise our population. We have an awesome opportunity to turn our focus on our peers and minister to their needs.

We are in a key position for revival. We offer the maturity of adulthood with usually more flexibility

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