This week on my blog I am focusing on a particular group of adults in the church: singles. Tuesday through Thursday, guest blogger Dr. PJ Dunn will deliver a poignant message about singles and how the church can minister to them more effectively in our post-COVID world. I encourage you to check out his website that is designed to support single adult ministry in the church. He is the founder of Table For One Ministries, and a sought-after conference leader on the topic of single adults. In addition to providing conferences about single adults, he also offers a class titled “Becoming a Singles-Friendly Church.” You can find all of this and more on his website. Just click one of the links above!

Single adults in America have become an increasingly significant demographic. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2020, approximately 45% of the adult population in the United States aged 18 and older were single. This represents a substantial shift in societal norms, as more individuals are choosing to delay marriage or opt for singlehood altogether. Dr. Dunn lists a number of single adults who are in our churches today:

• Singles
• Collegiate
• Dating singles
• Engaged singles
• Divorced singles
• Widows
• Single parents

The rise of single adults can be attributed to various factors. Economic trends, such as the increased cost of living, student debt, and the challenges of obtaining stable employment, have influenced many young adults to postpone marriage and focus on personal and career development. Additionally, shifting cultural attitudes towards marriage and relationships, along with an emphasis on personal freedom and independence, have contributed to the growing number of single individuals in the country.

I hope you’ll read the next three blog posts that Dr Dunn has crafted just for you, and I imagine that you’ll see single adults in a whole new way by the end of this week. The first post will release on 7-18-23 at 8AM CST.