Why Singles Need the Church and the Church Needs Singles
Les Heinze, Lead Pastor, Red Rocks Baptist Church
Single adults represent a huge percentage of the US population. Following the 2010 census it was reported that 42% of Americans are unmarried. With 59 million singles in the US, the American church has a great responsibility (and a great joy!) to minister to our single community. Unfortunately, single adults currently represent a miniscule percentage of the church congregation.
The Church Needs Singles
The two greatest Christians of the New Testament were single: Jesus and the Apostle Paul. As singles, they had much to offer God and their generation: a less encumbered schedule and a more focused ministry. In 1 Corinthians 7:7-8 Paul encourages the single life, stating its advantages over married life.
The church needs singles both in our fellowship and our leadership. We need their youth and their zeal for Christ. It is critical that we include these believers in church ministry, allowing them to use the unique gifts and talents with which they have been equipped by God. They often have more time and more enthusiasm than other demographics, and they have a great deal more to offer than they are often given credit for.
Singles Need the Church
One of the largest challenges that Christian singles face is maintaining a proper balance in their lives between God and Self. Although they may have more free time in their schedules, they are faced with a wide gamut of worldly influences which make it increasingly difficult to focus upon God. In such a world singles desperately need Godly friends, wise mentors, and sound doctrine. All of these can be found in a Bible-believing church.
Singles need to learn personal contentment, to control selfish tendencies, and to discover God’s Will as they seek the Lord in their youth. They need to learn how to present themselves as a sacrifice and how to not be conformed to this world (Romans 12:1-2). In church singles will not only find Godly instruction concerning these areas, but they will have opportunity to fellowship with other Believers who are striving for the same goals. It is the ideal location for using their talents while developing a deeper relationship with God.
Every Believer has a Spirit-given desire to use his life for God’s glory. His will is enjoyable (Ps. 143:10), and it is the best thing for us (1 John 2:17). The church needs to reach out to single adults who are desperately in need of Godly encouragement and sound teaching. Now is the time to bring them in. May God help us to do it!
