Tonight I attended a church leadership meeting where we discussed, among other things, the organic launch of ministries from within our church body. Within the last month, a woman who has a heart for single moms launched a ministry to serve them and has already recruited over 30 additional volunteers to serve alongside her.
When asked what prompted her to start this ministry, the answer she gave was stunning. There are 29 million children, that’s 29 million, living in homes led by single moms in America. What is even more staggering is less than 10% of these children attend church.
I have several thoughts on this:
- It has been my experience that the most effective ministries are often birthed organically by volunteers.
- Church staff should prioritize helping volunteers find their purpose and then equipping and resourcing them to embark on changing lives.
- We have an unreached people group within our own country – single moms.
- I am reminded of the important role played by strong, Christian fathers.
- Churches mentoring the children of single moms is desperately needed.
- Youth pastors, please make reaching out to unchurched children of single moms a priority for you and the other children in your youth group.
- I am constantly challenged by the importance of making my own marriage a priority if for no other reason, the spiritual condition of my daughter.
I was really bothered by what I heard this evening. Pastors and church leaders, how does these statistics make you feel? What are we going to do about it?
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