Create Your Singles Ministry!

[goodgirl]

well, sorta.

My church doesn't have one but is trying to put one together. So -- in a perfect world, what would your singles group be like?

Would it be separate, one for young singles and one for older ones?
Would it have activities for kids, for single parents? i.e. nursery care or whatever?
What kind of activities would be good?
Would it be more of a "dating service" or a "bible study/prayer group" or a "social club" or what percentages of these?

Thanks!

 

[jenptcfan]

I've tried to get together with some people in my church and put one together too, so I'm interested to see what kind of answers you get.

To answer your questions:

I don't really care if it's separate or not. I think if it's all one group, the people will naturally gravitate to people their own age anyway.

Nursery care is important. I don't want single parents to feel isolated or not be able to participate in stuff for lack of childcare.

For activities, we've gone canoeing, had movie night at a friend's house, cookouts, and we've alternated whose house we meet at and who cooks, gender specific bible studies,etc.

I do not like the whole idea of the singles' group being a dating service. I think the singles' group should provide a sense of community and foster spiritual growth. Using it as a dating service just begs for drama, and church shouldn't be a soap opera.

One other thing that I've seen being big is Divorce Care groups. It's good for people who are going through painful divorces to be able to be with people who are going through the same thing...or people who have survived the same thing. These are usually led by Godly people who have gotten through divorces and have wisdom to share.