40% of UK adults are single and churches often default to married-family-focused practices. Melanie chats to Jackie Elton and Beth Chan from the Single Friendly Church Network, discussing biases, and theological perspectives on singleness. This episode offers five simple steps churches can use to become more inclusive and caring communities for single members including  language changes, welcome strategies, leadership inclusion, and how to support single people — especially during Christmas.

The conversation emphasizes the need for churches to provide emotional support, practical steps for inclusion, and resources for church leaders to better understand and serve single members of their congregations.

Takeaways

Single adults make up 40% of the UK population.

Churches often default to a family-oriented perspective.

The church needs to address biases against singles.

Christmas can be a particularly isolating time for singles.

Community support is essential for all members, not just families.

Churches should create inclusive language and messaging.

Practical steps can help integrate singles into church life.

Emotional support is crucial during holidays for singles.

Resources are available for churches to improve their inclusivity.

The church can do better in supporting single individuals.

Sound Bites

"We try to unpick the biases."

"40% of UK adults are single."

"We can do better as a church."

Keywords

Single Friendly Church, church inclusion, support for singles, Christmas for singles, church community, theological perspectives, emotional support, church resources, church training, single adults

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Single Friendly Church

24:21 Redefining Family in Church Contexts

42:14 Welcoming Single People in Churches

42:43 Resources for Church Leaders

Show Notes