11-18-2007, 11:07 PM
How to Start a Single Adult Ministry
Written by Ray and Susan Thomas
(Taken from the LifeWay Biblical Solutions for Life website at:
http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/article_main_...24,00.html )
Today single adults comprise almost 50 percent of the adult population in the U.S. Singles include people who never married, divorced, or widowed. Some are parents who are either divorced, widowed, separated, or never married. Yet in many churches single adults feel uncomfortable or out of place because they are included in classes or groups for married adults. What they need is a place just for them. How can you create a ministry that meets the needs of single adults in a more effective and personal way?
Preparations
First, pray for single adults in your church already and in your community as well. Next consider a demographic focus for your ministry.
Getting started right is not a blind shot in the dark. Plan carefully how you start a ministry to single adults. If your church does not have a single's ministry already, get help from Single Adult Ministry Solution – Leader Manual . While the details and specifics of your ministry will be based on the people to whom you plan to minister, Single Adult Ministry Solution – Leader Manual gives you the basics on which to build your ministry.
Some churches enjoy the size and resources required for a multi-faceted ministry to all types of single adults. For most churches, generalized “one-size-fits-all” ministries may be needed at first, but tend not to work in the long term. Similarly, a “College and Career” class brings together adults from two completely different life stages. Be selective and intentional in your ministry.
Begin
Take the start of your ministry very seriously and strive for quality in every effort. Don’t attempt too much too quickly. People in the work world expect high-quality meetings and events. The church should do no less for the kingdom of God.
Recruit a strong leadership team to help with a variety of ministry assignments. Seek those with exemplary character, a vision, and a passion for single adult ministry leadership team. Work with this team to give the ministry an identity with a distinctive name. Then create a mission statement. Filter your plans and activities through the statement.
Key Elements
Include the following key elements in your Single Adult Ministry.
Bible study -Make certain Bible study focuses on studying Scripture rather than a popular book or a Christian issue. Find other opportunities for those types of studies. Use ongoing curriculum materials to provide doctrinally sound, balanced Bible study.
Outreach -Make visitors feel valued. Speak to them, sit with them in worship, invite them to lunch, obtain personal information on them (address, phone number, and so forth) for follow-up, give them a small gift as a part of a visitor’s packet. Follow their visit to your class by contacting them in the next week by note, e-mail, phone, or in person.
Activities and events -Concerts, plays, miniature golf, dinners, movies, game nights, bowling, volleyball, hiking, area talent shows, and many other activities are all good. Be sure to clear the dates for your activity with your church-wide calendar. Don’t forget to include events for kids if single parents are part of your target group.
Ministry and missions -“In-group” and “out-of-group” ministries should both be emphasized. Possible in-group activities include ministry to sick or injured group members, assistance with home repairs, sewing, cooking, and mechanical repairs. Examples of out-of-group ministry opportunities include making care packages for the military or for pregnancy centers, serving at a homeless shelter, and mission trips. You will never exhaust all of the potential mission opportunities.
Written by Ray and Susan Thomas
(Taken from the LifeWay Biblical Solutions for Life website at:
http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/article_main_...24,00.html )
Today single adults comprise almost 50 percent of the adult population in the U.S. Singles include people who never married, divorced, or widowed. Some are parents who are either divorced, widowed, separated, or never married. Yet in many churches single adults feel uncomfortable or out of place because they are included in classes or groups for married adults. What they need is a place just for them. How can you create a ministry that meets the needs of single adults in a more effective and personal way?
Preparations
First, pray for single adults in your church already and in your community as well. Next consider a demographic focus for your ministry.
Getting started right is not a blind shot in the dark. Plan carefully how you start a ministry to single adults. If your church does not have a single's ministry already, get help from Single Adult Ministry Solution – Leader Manual . While the details and specifics of your ministry will be based on the people to whom you plan to minister, Single Adult Ministry Solution – Leader Manual gives you the basics on which to build your ministry.
Some churches enjoy the size and resources required for a multi-faceted ministry to all types of single adults. For most churches, generalized “one-size-fits-all” ministries may be needed at first, but tend not to work in the long term. Similarly, a “College and Career” class brings together adults from two completely different life stages. Be selective and intentional in your ministry.
Begin
Take the start of your ministry very seriously and strive for quality in every effort. Don’t attempt too much too quickly. People in the work world expect high-quality meetings and events. The church should do no less for the kingdom of God.
Recruit a strong leadership team to help with a variety of ministry assignments. Seek those with exemplary character, a vision, and a passion for single adult ministry leadership team. Work with this team to give the ministry an identity with a distinctive name. Then create a mission statement. Filter your plans and activities through the statement.
Key Elements
Include the following key elements in your Single Adult Ministry.
Bible study -Make certain Bible study focuses on studying Scripture rather than a popular book or a Christian issue. Find other opportunities for those types of studies. Use ongoing curriculum materials to provide doctrinally sound, balanced Bible study.
Outreach -Make visitors feel valued. Speak to them, sit with them in worship, invite them to lunch, obtain personal information on them (address, phone number, and so forth) for follow-up, give them a small gift as a part of a visitor’s packet. Follow their visit to your class by contacting them in the next week by note, e-mail, phone, or in person.
Activities and events -Concerts, plays, miniature golf, dinners, movies, game nights, bowling, volleyball, hiking, area talent shows, and many other activities are all good. Be sure to clear the dates for your activity with your church-wide calendar. Don’t forget to include events for kids if single parents are part of your target group.
Ministry and missions -“In-group” and “out-of-group” ministries should both be emphasized. Possible in-group activities include ministry to sick or injured group members, assistance with home repairs, sewing, cooking, and mechanical repairs. Examples of out-of-group ministry opportunities include making care packages for the military or for pregnancy centers, serving at a homeless shelter, and mission trips. You will never exhaust all of the potential mission opportunities.