Your October Resources Are Here!
As we all move through our ministry life, we encounter all kinds of parents. Parents who have been happily married for decades, parents who might be struggling to stay together, parents who are widowed, and parents who have separated. If we’re honest, for years, the Church has primarily focused on helping and supporting one type of parent – the one who is married. We would never say that married couples are our primary target audience, but much of what we build and most of our language speak to the nuclear family. We certainly welcome single parents (at least, I think most of us do), but our ministries and resources often inadvertently leave them out.
If we look at the landscape of family life, we know that increasing numbers of kids and teens who are a part of our churches are from single-parent homes. Research indicates that at least 1/3 of all kids today live with only one parent who is active in their lives on a daily basis. This family dynamic has huge implications on so many aspects of adolescent development. Kids and teens from single-parent homes face a unique set of challenges that their peers who have both parents at home don’t face. Those of us who lead in the church have to pay attention to what is happening in the lives of those we serve and must consider our approach in ministry to help ensure we are not unintentionally leading our ministry without single-parent homes in mind.
So, what are we to do with the ever-changing landscape of family life? As children’s and youth ministry leaders, how are we to best help, support, encourage, and serve parents who find themselves in this situation? It really all starts with paying attention. We have to broaden our view and make sure we are aware of the situations and circumstances in which our people find themselves. We have to have the eyes to see people where they are and offer the grace and love that Christ offers us all. We have to have empathy for those who are possibly hurting in a different way, and we have to work hard to discern how we can best step in and help them along the way. To be effective in our ministries, we have to know our audience.
In this month’s Coaching Videos, we step into this conversation by encouraging you to make sure you are paying attention to not just the kids, teens, and parents who come from “traditional homes” but to the families in your church where there is a single-parent. There are certain things you can do to help and encourage these families as they navigate what can be a challenging road. This starts with knowing who these parents are and understanding their needs in order to mobilize the church community to provide meaningful support. We give you some practical ideas and suggestions that will help you build a ministry that effectively engages and supports all types of parents.
In our Online Parenting Classes, we speak to both single parents and parents who are leading their family with a spouse, and we give each group practical suggestions on how to engage with each other. We encourage single parents to engage with their church community and not hesitate to ask for help. Often, single parents may feel reluctant to seek assistance, fearing they may be a burden when, in fact, many in the church would be eager to help if they just knew how. We remind them that they are enough and that God loves them exactly where they are, no matter their circumstances. The video also challenges parents in two-parent homes to intentionally seek out single parents within the church, build meaningful relationships, and offer support to meet their practical needs.
On Episode 084 of the M2P Podcast, our very own Amy Diller interviews her friend and single mom, Donna Collins. Donna shares her story of raising her son as a single parent, and she offers insight into how leaders in the church can help and support single parents in meaningful and practical ways. In this conversation, Donna provides practical advice from her own experiences. She also has some words of encouragement for any single parents who might listen and talks about some ways she has navigated her journey through the years. Sass and Kerry join in to offer their perspectives, and we’re excited to introduce a new member of the M2P team, Chris Hargrove.
This month’s Parent Toolbox Resource is a devotional exercise called Parenting With Peace. It is specifically designed to help single parents slow down and identify how they can further lean on God as they navigate their situation. This resource could be used by parents who are married and leading together, but it will be particularly helpful for single parents. It starts with a passage of Scripture from Philippians 4 and encourages parents to sincerely offer their requests to God and seek the peace that only He can offer. It includes prompts for reflection, questions to answer, and time for prayer.
This month’s Blog Articles for parents take a different approach to encouraging those who find themselves leading their families alone. These articles come in the form of a letter to single parents, and they offer an apology on behalf of the church. Most of us know that we fall a little short when it comes to supporting single parents, so letting them know that we are aware of the difficulties they face can go a long way. By simply recognizing their struggles and affirming that they are seen and heard, we can begin to bridge this gap. Our Blog Articles for church leaders include the words and pleas of actual single parents and can hopefully give us a different perspective as we seek to help these families in real ways. By paying attention to what is actually happening in their lives, we will be better positioned to offer real help and relief.
As always, we have Social Media Posts that will help elevate the conversation and encourage single parents. We want them to believe that they are enough, God is in control, and He has a plan for them and their children. These posts point in that direction and remind parents that they can find help and support in their local church.
This month’s conversation will hopefully help you step into a deeper level of ministry with parents who really need it. Single parents are in your midst, and you have the opportunity to show up for them in real ways that will meet some of their practical needs and hopefully draw them closer to Jesus.
The M2P Team
WHAT IS IT?
This month, we created a resource specifically for single parents in your church. It’s an exercise called Parenting with Peace: A Time of Reflection and Prayer for Single Parents. It’s a devotion and reflection that encourages parents to read and meditate on a passage from Philippians 4 that will hopefully help them reframe a few things about their lives and circumstances. In the resource, there are reflective questions that will push parents to identify a few ways to invite both God and those in their church community into their journey in helpful ways. Our prayer is that this resource will provide encouragement and strength to single parents as they lean on God’s peace and the support of their church community.
HOW TO USE IT
- Download Parenting with Peace: A Time of Reflection and Prayer for Single Parents and post it on your website.
- Email parents (specifically single parents) a copy of the resource and encourage them to take some time to engage in the exercise.
- Print copies of the resources for parents to grab at church and let them know where they can pick them up.
- Share a copy of the resource with your ministry team and discuss it together.
When you think about the families you minister to in your church and community, what is the picture you see? We often see the traditional family with mom, dad, 2.5 kids, and a dog. In this month’s Coaching Videos, we invite you to broaden your focus beyond the kids, teens, and parents from “traditional homes” and recognize the fact that there are a significant number of kids and teens who live in a different environment. Single-parent families within your church face unique challenges, and these families often walk a more difficult road. As church leaders, we are called to provide intentional care and support for every family we encounter.
It’s important to remember that single parents often carry the weight of multiple roles, juggling the demands of both parenting and providing for their families. They may also feel isolated or overlooked in a church community where traditional family structures are the norm. By taking intentional steps to include them, listen to their concerns, and create spaces for them to connect with others, we can foster a sense of belonging and relief for these parents.
In the videos, we offer practical strategies and creative ideas to help you build a ministry that truly serves all types of families, including those led by single parents. Whether it’s organizing groups tailored to their needs, creating mentorship programs, or simply making sure they feel seen and valued, there are many ways you can help these parents thrive. Our hope is that through these suggestions, your ministry can become a source of strength and encouragement for every parent, regardless of their family structure.
To view, click HERE for youth and HERE for kids.
In this month’s Online Parenting Classes, we emphasize the importance of building a helpful and supportive church community where single-parent and two-parent families engage with one another. For parents in two-parent homes, we encourage them to actively seek out relationships with single parents in the church. It’s easy to assume that these parents are managing just fine, but the reality is that many could use practical help and emotional support. By intentionally reaching out, two-parent families can help create a sense of belonging and ease some of the burdens that single parents carry.
At the same time, we speak directly to single parents, encouraging them to embrace their church community and not be afraid to ask for help. We remind them that there are people in their church who would love to step in and offer support. They often just need to know what’s needed. Most importantly, we reassure single parents that they are more than enough and that God loves them deeply, regardless of their circumstances.
Our goal is to inspire both single and two-parent families to come together, share life’s challenges, and lift each other up. We’re not meant to parent alone, so let’s help parents of all kinds build the relationships they need to effectively lead their families in the faith.
To view, click HERE for youth and HERE for kids.
New blog posts coming this month:
- For Kids’ Ministry Leaders: “In Their Own Words: What Single Parents Have to Say” by Amy Diller
- For Kids’ Ministry Parents: “A Letter to Single Moms and Dads” by Amy Diller
- For Youth Ministry Leaders: “The Truth from Single Parents” by Amy Diller and Chris Sasser
- For Youth Ministry Parents: “Dear Single Parents” by Amy Diller
To view, click HERE