The Grey Divorce and Why Is It Growing? by guest writer, Laura Petherbridge"Laura, my 66-year-old mom, just told me that she and my dad are getting divorced. I'm in shock. They have been married for thirty-nine years. Why? What are they thinking?"
This daughter can't fathom her parents getting divorced in their senior years. However, it's not that atypical. Baby Boomer couples are divorcing at astounding rates. "Research has found that boomers born between 1946 and 1964 are divorcing more than any other generation. A new analysis of divorce data from 1990 to 2021 released in July by Bowling Green State University's National Center for Family and Marriage Research found that divorce rates for those aged 45 and over rose during that period, while rates dropped for those younger than 45. The most significant increase in divorce rates was among people 65 and older: The rate tripled from 1990 to 2021. 1 in 4 divorces were among those age 65 or older." While we may be surprised to discover that an older generation is choosing to split, the bigger question is why. Between online research and my observation after 30 years in divorce ministry, here are the top reasons:
To read the original post: https://www.thesmartstepmom.com/post/the-gray-divorce-what-is-happening For more information on Laura, click here: https://www.thesmartstepmom.com/about Laura Petherbridge serves couples and single adults with topics on spiritual growth, relationships, stepfamilies, co-parenting, single parenting, divorce prevention, and divorce recovery.
She is an international speaker and author of four books including, When “I Do” Becomes “I Don’t”—Practical Steps for Healing During Separation and Divorce, and The Smart Stepmom, co-authored with stepfamily expert Ron Deal and endorsed by Gary Chapman (Five Love Languages), 101Tips for The Smart Stepmom—Expert Advice from One Stepmom to Another and Quiet Moments for the Stepmom Soul-a devotional. Laura has spoken at the Billy Graham Training Center, and for Lifeway, Family Life, Hearts at Home, and Iron Sharpens Iron conferences. God's Great Work of Reaching Singles by Kris SwiatochoQ: Do you want to reach every single person you can? Then, let's talk about how to reach every "single" person.
Single Adults, the Untapped People Group Nation-wide, the single adult population is 54%* while in some cities, it's higher and lower in the rural areas. But this is non-reflective in most of our churches. *https://www.barna.com/single-minded-church/ So, why aren't our churches reflective of this 54%?
So, let's clear up a few things:
Single adults matter and can help grow your church in numbers, maturity, and commitment if given a chance. Here are a few ways:
Note: You might even go through your church database to update it, contact those who are single, inviting them back. The more we know about single adults who come to your church and vice versa, the more significant potential we have to grow the church.
Note: Singles ministry is not the end but a gateway to reach all people for Christ. What can Kris Swiatocho and The Singles Network Ministries help you do?
Care for the flock of God entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly--not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. 1 Peter 5:12 If I want one year of prosperity, plant some grain. If you want ten years of prosperity, grow a tree. If you want 100 years of prosperity, grow people. Kris Swiatocho is the director of TheSinglesNetwork.org Ministries and Kris Swiatocho Ministries. Kris has served in ministry in various capacities for over 30 years. An accomplished trainer and mentor, Kris has the heart to reach and grow leaders so they will, in turn, reach and grow others. She is also the author of seven books, including her newest, "Intentional Relationships for Singles." |
COG National Conference, Orlando, FlLeadership SnippitLeaders That Last Curriculum• Leaders that Last is 6 weeks, 6 topics Curriculum:
The first 3 weeks that are inward focus towards personal development and last 3 weeks that are outward focus towards building and unifying the team. • Leaders that Last Curriculum includes: A trainers guide with additional questions, icebreaker ideas, small group discussion, and weekly assignments, etc. plus participants outline. • Leaders that Last Curriculum is a: Microsoft word document so you can alter to fit your specific group whether young adult, single adult or single parent, divorced or widowed. WEEKLY TOPICS: Week 1: Who You Are in Christ Week 2: Affirming Your Calling as a Leader Week 3: Spiritual Warfare Week 4: Mentoring/Finding others with a Similar Calling Week 5: Building the Team Week 6: Caring for the Team. Week 1: Who Am I? Description: Everything starts and ends with a great team but a team starts with a great leader. A great leader should know who they are in Christ first in order to lead others. This leader also should have a personal, growing relationship with Christ. This lesson will focus on your identity, your personal growth in your faith, and your walk with the Lord. Week 2: Who Ya Going to Call? Description: Learning and affirming your calling to be a leader. Most maturing Christians are serving the Lord but often in the wrong area, this lesson will help you focus on the right area God is calling you into. Week 3: The Devil Made Me Do It! Description: This lesson focuses on how to recognize the enemy’s attacks on you, your team, and your ministry, and what to do when it does happen. Week 4: Making Copies! Description: This lesson focuses on the importance of recognizing potential leaders by starting with those who are voluntold versus volunteers. Week 5: There’s No “I” in Team Description: Everything falls and rises on leadership. Without a great team that is unified in the path to reach the goals God has put in place, leadership will fail. This lesson will focus on how to build a team that builds the ministry. Week 6: Are You a Care Bear? Description: This lesson focuses on how to keep our team, our leaders, and, ultimately, our ministry going and growing. Leadership Articles by Kris SwiatochoAdditional resources by Kris and other authors, click here.
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Kris holds a singles retreat every September up in the mountains and I’ve attended the last 8 years. The 3rd year, Sept 2018 I came for the leadership portion of the meeting and was inspired by the teaching, many years of experience working with singles, messages shared, stories from other church leaders and resources galore at the meeting and on the website. I left that weekend fired up and it sparked me to start a singles focused bible study at our church which has been running a year now and doing great... I have so many stories I could share... many new visitors/members... connecting with singles in the church that weren’t plugged in.. networking with other Christian groups and churches... things just continue to spiral... we held a singles NYE celebration a few weeks ago. The owner of The Barn Dance (non-alcoholic club) that some of us go to often came. His club was only open on sat night BUT... he was inspired by the number we had at our dance and the amazing community... he had no idea that singles have that much of a need/want to be together. SO tonight he hosted his first Christian Singles Dance Party at The Barn Dance and it was a big hit. Planning to do a monthly dance there... opening with prayer and ending with praise songs and prayer. I can’t wait to see what God has for us in 2020. Also very excited about this years Singles Retreat! Find info on thesinglesnetwork.org and come join us Thanks Kris for all you do... for your heart for God and singles.
—Lisa Young, Lawndale Baptist Church, Greensboro, NC
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