Singles’ Ministry

"To prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up."
(Eph. 4:12)

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Singles’ Ministry Team - Who are we?

Just like the singles to whom we minister, we are a diverse, multinational group of lay leaders, representing a cross-section of the IBC, who have felt a call to serve in singles’ ministry.

To facilitate communication, we have a regional contact within our team for every region of the IBC -- including one near you.

If the Singles’ Ministry Team can be of assistance or if you are interested in serving with us, please contact us through the International Baptist Convention or visit our web site at www.ibc-churches.org/singles.

Singles’ Ministry - How to Begin?

Beginning a new ministry may seem an overwhelming task. Here are few ideas to help you get started:

• Look to see who God has brought to your church with a desire to serve in singles’ ministry with you. If God is bringing singles to your church, He will have put people there to serve in singles’ ministry.
• Formulate a purpose statement for the ministry. Ask the questions “What will be the purpose of the ministry?” “Who will it affect?” “How will it change their lives?”
• Identify the singles in your church. Try to determine who your core group will be. If you have a majority in one segment, begin there.
• Choose the model of ministry you want to use. Jesus used the empowerment model as He equipped His disciples for ministry. Empowerment allows singles to minister to others while being ministered to themselves.
• Realize you are not out there alone. The Singles’ Ministry Team is there to assist you.  Read on for ways we can help …

Singles’ Ministry - How Can We Help?

The very purpose of the Singles’ Ministry Team is to assist churches to minister to singles and to help singles grow in faith and become involved in the local church. Some of the ways we can do this are:

• Conducting workshops for leaders who want to begin or expand singles’ ministries.
• Organizing IBC-wide singles’ events (such as the fall, spring, and Interlaken conferences).
• Leading local church/regional events for and with singles.
• Providing leadership training courses for singles.

Singles - Potential for Church Growth?

In many cities worldwide, singles now comprise as much as 60 percent of the population. Along with many other factors, the following play a crucial role in this development:

• More people are marrying later in life.
• Divorce rates continue to increase, even within church circles.
• Singleness has become economically and, for the most part, socially viable within our society.
• As the average age of the population increases, so does the number of people left widowed.

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."
(Col. 2:6-7)

Singles - Who are they?

Singles are diverse and dynamic. They don’t fit into any one age category. They don’t fit into any one ministry program. They cover a wide spectrum of professions, ages, life experiences, needs, desires, and cultures.

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."
(1 Thess. 5:11)

Singles include:

• the never married,
• the single parent,
• the single again,
• the widowed, and
• the unaccompanied (those who are temporarily single due to work commitments).

And churches who do not have a separate student ministry need to include them in their singles’ ministry as well.

Singles - Are they in our churches?

The answer to this question should be “Yes.” Unfortunately, if we were to look around, we might find that they are missing. Singles are one of the fastest growing population groups in the Western world today. A church that does not have a ministry to and with singles is missing an immense opportunity to impact their “world” for Christ.

Singles - Are they are a resource?

A singles’ ministry is there not just to meet the needs of singles but also to equip them for service in the church. People may think that singles are unreliable and non-committal. On the contrary, singles are likely to be wholeheartedly committed to a cause where they can use their gifts and talents. Singles are a great resource for the church, willing to use their time, gifts, and talents to build up the church.

Singles are involved in many areas of leadership in our churches. For example, they serve as:

• deacons,
• worship leaders,
• Sunday school teachers,
• house group or Bible study leaders,
• choir members and directors,
• treasurers,
• children’s ministry directors, and
• webmasters.

"To prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up."
(Eph. 4:12).