Reaching Singles in Austria
The Singles Network Ministries has had the honor of connecting and partnering with Herzens An-Gelegenheit.at (Matters of the Heart Ministries) in Austria. In the spring of 2026, Verena, the director, hosted a singles conference and leadership training in Salzburg, plus networking and speaking at her church. We are thrilled to be going to Germany in September for the largest singles retreat in Europe, where I will be serving alongside Verena, reaching singles for Christ.
Seen, Not Forgotten: A Christian Perspective on Singlenessby Verena Schnitzhofer, Director, Matter's of the Heart, Austria
A Topic Rarely Addressed
Who has ever heard a sermon specifically about singleness? It’s a surprisingly simple question—but one that reveals something deeper. In many churches, topics like marriage and family are discussed frequently. There are children’s programs, marriage seminars, and family retreats. But how often are singles explicitly invited, addressed, or even considered? Rarely. And yet, statistically speaking, about one-third of people in many communities are single (this stat is for Austria, in the UK 27%, and the USA 54%). That’s not a small minority—it’s a significant part of the church that cannot simply be overlooked. The real question is not whether singles exist in the church, but how they are integrated into the life of the community. The Reality of Being Single Singleness today is complex and often misunderstood. Some people are single by choice, embracing independence and freedom. Others long deeply for a relationship and experience their situation as painful or frustrating. The reality lies somewhere in between—between joy and longing, freedom and aloneness. Practically speaking, single life can be challenging:
“You’ll meet someone when you least expect it.” “You’re such a great person—someone will come along.” These statements, though kind in intention, can reinforce the feeling that something is missing—or even wrong. Are Singles Truly Alone? One common assumption is that being single means being without a relationship. But that’s not entirely true. Friendship, community, and spiritual connection are deeply meaningful forms of relationship. In fact, the value of friendship is often underestimated, even though it plays a vital role in emotional and spiritual well-being. Singleness does not mean relational emptiness—it simply means a different kind of relational life. A Biblical Perspective: Old Testament Foundations Looking at the Bible, the topic of relationships begins early. In the creation story, humanity is commanded to “be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:28). Shortly after, God declares, “It is not good for man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18). This leads to the creation of woman and the establishment of marriage as a foundational institution. From this, many conclude that completeness is found in partnership—that a person is only “whole” when united with another. But is that really the full picture? Marriage is indeed presented as a good gift. Yet it is described as something given for the benefit of humanity, not as a requirement for human completeness or worth. This raises an important question: Are unmarried people missing part of God’s purpose for their lives? A New Perspective in the New Testament With the arrival of Jesus, something shifts. Jesus Himself lived as a single man. In a culture where marriage was expected—especially for religious teachers—this was unusual. Yet His life demonstrates that singleness is not a limitation, but a fully valid way of living. More than that, Jesus introduces a new understanding of “family.” Through Him, people become children of God—not by physical lineage but by spiritual rebirth (John 1:12–13). The mission is no longer primarily biological multiplication, but spiritual multiplication: making disciples and building a spiritual family. The Apostle Paul reinforces this idea, pointing to Christ as the true “offspring” through whom God’s promises are fulfilled (Galatians 3:16). This means that identity, belonging, and purpose are no longer tied to marital status. Whether single or married, every believer is part of God’s family. Jesus and Being Alone It’s also important to remember: Jesus experienced being alone. He was misunderstood, rejected, and even abandoned by those closest to Him. In His darkest moment, He cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” This means that being alone is not a sign of failure or lack of faith—it is a deeply human experience, one that even Christ Himself shared. Cultural Responses to Being Alone Modern society recognizes the growing problem of being alone. In countries like the UK, even a “Ministry of Loneliness” has been established to address the problem. At the same time, the culture offers countless substitutes for connection:
Historically, relationships were often arranged within families, with a strong communal interest in their success. Today, individuals carry that responsibility alone—often leading to uncertainty and pressure. Between Hope and Reality For many singles, one pressing question remains: “Is there even a potential partner for me within my community?” The answer is not always clear. Statistics can feel discouraging—especially when the number of single women significantly exceeds that of single men in Christian contexts. But the deeper issue is not numbers—it’s perspective. Singleness should not be viewed as a problem to solve, but as a stage (or state) of life that holds its own value, challenges, and opportunities. Conclusion: A Call to the Church The church is called to be a family—not just for couples and children, but for everyone. This means:
Single or married, every person is:
About Verena: She was single until she was 30, had a brief relationship that ended, and later met her husband, Fritz. Her story reflects both the pain and the growth that can come with waiting—and the reality that life does not follow a fixed timeline. Some people marry early. Others later. Some remain single. Each path is different, and none is inherently more valuable than another. Verena leads the largest singles ministry/resource in Austria. To learn more, email her at: [email protected] and/or go to her website: https://www.herzens-an-gelegenheit.at |
Herzens-An-Gelegenheit (Matters of the Heart)
Description: This is a country-wide singles ministry resource, events, and training ministry. Contact: Verena Schnitzhofer, Director Website: https://www.herzens-an-gelegenheit.at Email: [email protected] Singles Retreat, Germany: Sept 17-20, 2026
Do you know of a Christian singles ministry/group outside the USA?We'd love to help others connect! If you know of a church, ministry, Facebook group, or other social media community that welcomes single adults from outside its local area and/or offers online opportunities such as Zoom Bible studies, prayer meetings, game nights, fellowship, or other virtual events, please share it in the comments below.
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