There is a change ongoing in the demographics of our society. We have more and more singles. And down at the church house too. One recent statistic said that 45% of church attenders attend church as a single (it may be nearer 50%, and over 50% in many urban areas). We may have more, we may have less. Some singles do not want to be identified as singles. Single again groups often think remarriage. Widows and widowers are also singles. College students are singles. Some remain single for a lifetime, through their professional years. The needs of these various groups are diverse. Nonetheless, singles are the overlooked segment of society. The Great Commission, all the world, includes singles. We need to expand our vision, we need to focus our efforts. We should enable to service, greater understanding, better efforts, ministry, programs of work.

I. CULTURE
Single is a relatively new word in this use. I did not hear it growing up. My mother was not a single. A divorcee, perhaps, but not a single. There were no singles ministers, singles workshops, singles retreats. We had college, professionals, even widows classes, but not singles. At least 1/3 of all adults in the USA are single. This is not a little group. Significant. The singles segment of society is one of the greatest mission fields in the USA. Growing churches have outreach to these groups intentionally, efficiently. (Notice, groups.) More than ½ of this 1/3 are under 30. This is not just college students, post-high, this is young professionals. 15-20% of our population are singles under 30. This group must be understood.

There is another group of middle singles. Professionals, probably perpetually single. Finally, there are many singles who are PrimeTimers, many over 70. Most of those over 70 are widows, not widowers. Women live longer. All of these are singles, at least three separate branches, and then subdivisions.

Lowest estimates are that are 50 million singles in USA. Another frightening fact--1/4 of all households in the USA are headed by a single woman. Tragic. These women need help. These are singles with children. Many singles have children at home. This is a fact of singles ministry. Any woman that has the responsibility of being both dad and mom has a task, needs prayers, needs help, needs a special spot in our hearts, and the church must open its eyes and see. I know this group, I grew up in it.

These are often discriminated against. In job market, in finances, loans, records. May get taken advantage of because not know what's wrong with car, electricity, house, etc. We must see, serve, help.

II. CHURCH
The church, by and large, like society, is family oriented. Must be. Take care of families. Need more efforts to save, strengthen, build families. But once our kids begin to untie family ties, jr hi, sr hi, college, until they marry, have children of own, and then begin to bring them to church nursery, really have not place in the church. I have had 3 single sons. Our youngest single by divorce, with three kids, our middle single until his marriage last month. They are not young (except by name). Michael is 32. Philip now married at 29. Geoffrey 28 this month. Jan's youngest brother waited until he was 40 to marry. These have little place. Once you have kids, church is with you. But there is a dead spot in the church. In that group, feel like outsiders. Does a college student place membership or not? Where put them in directory? Not in regular section! They are in between. Hard to work with singles. College students, single professionals, singles indeed, widows, widowers, single parents.... What should be do? We are couple/family oriented.

The word sin is in the word single. Perhaps it is easier to sin as a single. Unique, volatile temptations. Some singles programs are marriage mills. Singles ministries almost always raise the question of divorce/remarriage. World makes it easy for singles to sin. Swinging singles. Whole apartment complexes and vacation options reach out to singles.

The word sing is in the word single. Can be joyous, bubbly, enthusiastic, proud, great attitude toward life. Some of the greatest Christians I know are singles. Time to be dedicated to Christ. Paul said it was easier for a single. Without responsibilities to family, wonderful opportunity, Jesus was a single.

So largest, most significant, least understood segment of church is singles (if not at M&O, in our nation). Why treat singles like lepers? Because of divorce. I am against divorce, God hates divorce, never seen successful divorce, and if never have another divorce would be reason to praise God. But can I be against divorce and for the divorced? To be against divorce does not means I should be against the divorced. There is a difference. 40% of adults are divorced. Don't know what to do. Jn 4--woman with 5 husbands, but Jesus used her to save a town. Jn 8-- adulterous woman (single or married?), but Jesus deal with compassion. Lk. 7--harlot, in Simon's house, not welcomed, but Jesus forgave her. When people are hurting, the church must have an answer. We must pray, seek, study, care. We need one another, love, hug, care.

When you are divorced, that is like death. But there's no burial. One divorced sister told me, it's worse than the death of a spouse. Often church withdraws more than helps. Volumes have been written on parallels between death and divorce. Stressful time. Dating, challenges, defining life. Singles. At crucial times--little income, no house, rejection, deserted, left, but at least I have the church. But church doesn't come to help. The church must be known as a friend to the troubled. Caring. Are we? Am I? Are you? Not to encourage and condone sin, but when there is hurt, doubt, woundedness, we must help.

So singles are not the problem, but they are almost always persons with problems. I have observed, this is not criticism, this is reality. Most people who are willing to hook up with a singles group have problems. Not all, but many. Those who have vibrancy, relationships, meaning, fellowship, have no part of it. But we must see the people, not the problems. Every person is someone for whom Jesus died. Have hurts, needs, but are in his image. Today we are thinking about singles, but what about the singles who remain out of sight? Be careful, for we often goof up, even with good intentions.