Building Single Adult Ministry

Building your Singles Ministry/Single Parenting by Other Authors

Single on Sunday

By Shelley Pulliam, Executive Director, Arise Single Moms

Sundays are uplifting days spent worshiping my Savior, reconnecting with friends, and relaxing in the house of God—that is, until the sermon ends, everyone says their last goodbye, and I exit through the doors. The longest walk of my life happens each week on the journey to my car, amid all the families deciding where to eat lunch or which activity will be the focus of their afternoon.

Loneliness swirls around me and inhabits my deepest spots. The enemy knows where to strike, and he shoots his arrow faithfully each week. I smile cordially and wave my hand to be friendly as I enter my vehicle. I sit quietly for a moment. What do I do now? Go home to eat in deafening silence, or muster the willpower to sit in a restaurant full of chirping families. I hate to cook more than I dislike the encounter, so off to a restaurant I go.

Unfortunately, society doesn’t always have a healthy perspective on flying solo. I encounter it quite often when I dine alone. Many times I receive the worst table and inattentive waiters. Or the one that perturbs me the most occurred on one such Sunday when I was already feeling a little tender. I entered the restaurant, and the hostess asked, “How many?” I replied one. She looked around at a plethora of empty tables and replied, “Do you just want to sit at the bar?” “Uh, no,” I responded. “I would like a booth.” I could have said more, but I refrained from unleashing my tongue on a high school student earning extra money.

I’m perched at my cozy table, perusing the menu, and still kinda fuming when I realized that we have a place at the most special table of—God’s table. He has saved us a seat. He has prepared a banquet, and we’ve been invited to sit with the King of Kings. As singles, we’re not left out, separated, or stuck in the corner by the kitchen. We’re given a prime seat.

Being single can be a great place, but it can also be a lonely one. That’s why I love Jesus even more. He lived life as a single. He knows where I’m walking, and He pulls the chair out for me as I dine at His table. Won’t you join us?

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” –Psalm 23:5

About Shelley:
Howdy! (A girl from Oklahoma has to use this as her greeting.) I’m Shelley Pulliam, the executive director of Arise Ministries and a former teacher of hormone-charged 8th graders. But my real claim to fame is winning second place in a spelling bee when I was in grade school, and my recent skills with guns as I train for competition shooting. It helps me stay alert when Satan comes knocking. I’m an avid reader and often spend my time at the theater enjoying movie marathons, with my record being six movies in one day. I’m single and never married, and I love to pour into children whenever I can. Let me know if you have any for sale.
More info: https://www.arisesinglemoms.com/our-team

Single Parenting

Single on Sunday by Shelley Pulliam, Arise Single Moms
Single Mom Stats--They Are Changing by Shelley Pulliam, Arise Single Moms
If You Date to Date by Mel Hiett, Arise Single Moms
Dear Son...One Mom's Story by Gail Showalter
The Importance of Renewing Your Mind in Christ by Jennifer Maggio, The Life of a Single Mom
Failure by Matt Haviland
One Thing by Shelly Pulliam, Arise Single Mom's
One Single Mom Story by Jennifer Maggio, The Life of a Single Mom
Thanksgiving; Gratitude Even When You Have an Attitude by Jenny Houston
Do's and Don'ts of Single Fatherhood by Matt Haviland
8 Ideas for Loving Single Mom's by Dawn Vanderwerf
The Life of a Single Mom Series: Single Mom 101
Facing the Challenges of Single Parenting by Robert D. Jones
Good Father by Matt Haviland
What is the House Made Of by Shelley Pulliam
5 Things We Should Do by Matt Haviland
Words To Avoid by Matt Haviland
Single Father Support Group by Matt Haviland
Divine Delays by Single-Parent Leader, Holly Crain
Belonging by Single Parent Leader, Holly Crain
The Drowning Single Mom by Jennifer Maggio, The Life of a Single Mom
Nothing to Everything, Single Parent Director, Holly Crain
Remember Me, Single Parent Director, Holly Crain
4 Steps That Help in an Emotional Crisis by Pam Kanaly, Arise Single Mom's Ministry
Unpredictable, Single Parent Director, Holly Crain
Unraveled, Single Parent Director, Holly Crain
Unsettled, Single Parent Director, Holly Crain
Who Could That Be, Single Parent Director, Holly Crain
Saying Thank you, Single Parent Director, Holly Crain
Uproot, Single Parent Director, Holly Crain
Strong Currents, Single Parent Director, Holly Crain
Posted Signs, Single Parent Director, Holly Crain
Those Two Things, Single Parent Director, Holly Crain
Divine Communication, Single Parent Director, Holly Crain
When, Single Parent Director, Holly Crain
Fullness, Single Parent Director, Holly Crain
The Disturbing Reason Jesus was Really Crucified by Dawn Vanderwerf
Sustained, Single Parent Director, Holly Crain
Traveling, Single Parent Director, Holly Crain
Is It Ok to Ask God for a Husband? Arise Ministries
Quieting, Single Parent Director, Holly Crain
When you Feel Anonymous by Dawn Vanderwerf
Restored, Single Parent Director, Holly Crain
Lost, Single Parent Director, Holly Crain
5 Ways to Press On After Failure, Single Parent Co-Director, Arise Ministries
Dwell, Single Parent Director, Holly Crain
Auto Pilot, Single Parent Director, Holly Crain
Sacrificially Overlooked, Single Parent Director, Holly Crain
Shades by Single Parent Director, Holly Crain
Why Join a Single Father Support Group? by Matt Haviland
In the Moment by Single Parent Director, Holly Crain
Why Mentor a Fatherless Boy by Matt Haviland
Re-Entry by Single Parent Director, Holly Crain
3 Things Single Parents Wish you Knew by Tessa Reed
How God Uses Single Parent Struggles by Robert Beeson
Lost Identity by Holy Crain
Just Nod by Single Parent Director, Holly Crain
The Test by Single Parent Director, Holly Crain
Transformed by Single Parent Director, Holly Crain
The Little Things by Single Parent Director, Holly Crain
Uprooted by Single Parent Director, Holly Crain
Finding Rest by Single Parent Director, Holly Crain
Discernment by Single Parent Director, Holly Crain
Why Mentor a Fatherless Boy by Matt Haviland
Lost Keys by Single Parent Director, Holly Crain
Courage to Continue by Single Parent Director, Holly Crain
You're It by Single Parent Director, Holly Crain
Hate/Love List of a Single Dad by Matt Haviland
He Leads Me by Single Parent Director, Holly Crain
Traveling by Single Parent Director, Holly Crain
Dating by Single Parent Director, Holly Crain
Unnatural by Single Parent Director, Holly Crain
Vacancy by Single Parent Director, Holly Crain
Scars by Single Parent Director, Holly Crain
Boundaries by Gail Showalter
Perseverance by Single Parent Director, Holly Crain
Shielded by Single Parent Director, Holly Crain
He's Not Here by Single Parent Director, Holly Crain
I'm Fine by Single Parent Leader, Holly Crain
Children and Divorce: Hassle Free Tips for Parents: by Joselyn Law Firm (secular article)
New Glasses by Holly Crain
Stress and the Single Parent by Dr. Kate Lynzega-Dean
Wrestling?! by Holly Crain
Heard by Holly Crain
Jennifer's Story by Holly Crain
12 Vows Every Godly Fathers Should Make to His Family by Matt Haviland, A Father's Walk
Silent Intruder by Holly Crain
How to Overcome Fear as a Single Parent by Dawn Walker
A Single Mom Stepping Out in Faith in Foster Care by Rose Hoye
Three Strands by Holly Crain
Uturn by Holly Crain
10 Things Divorced Dads Wish Their Exes Knew by Tammy Daughtry, Imom.com
The Letter by Holly Crain, Single Parent Director, FBC, Houston, TX
My Everyday by Holly Crain, Single Parent Director, FBC, Houston, TX
Dynamics that Give Strength to a Single Parent Family by Pat Bishop
Where's the Remote Control by Holly Crain, Single Parent Director, FBC, Houston, TX
Complexity by Holly Crain, Single Parent Director, FBC, Houston, TX
Mentoring the Fatherless: Will the Men of God Please Rise Up? by Matt Havilland, A Father's Walk
One Bird Alone is like a Single Parent Alone by Linda Jacobs
Single Parents and The Church by Pastor James Cruise
The Importances of Planning MInistry by Jennifer Maggio, The Life of a Single Mom
Wanted! Help for the Single Dad by Matt Haviland, A Father's Walk
Why Financial Freedom is So Important for a Single Mom by Jennifer Maggio, The Life of a Single Mom
Amazing Grace of Loneliness by Gail Showater, SMORE for Women
Advocate or Adversary? by Matt Haviland, A Father's Walk
The Perception of Single Fatherhood by Matt Haviland, A Father's Walk
Single Parents Come in 3 Distinct Stages by Linda Jacobs, Healthy Loving Partnerships for our Kids
Why Should Your Church Have A Singles Father's Ministry by Matt Haviland, A Father's Walk
Who are single parents and their families? by James Cruise, James Cruise Ministries
Being the Example by Matt Haviland, A Father's Walk Ministries
3 Ways Single Parents Can Find Strength by Jennifer Maggio; Crosswalk.com
More Than a Conqueror, Part 1 , Part 2, Part 3, Part 4
Overcoming the Everyday Challenges of Being a Single Father by Matt Haviland
How Can the Single Mom Do It? By Linda Weber, Family Life Today
Is Bitterness Ruining Your Holidays by Linda Jacobs
Facing the Challenges of Single Parenting by Robert Jones

I never planned to be a single parent. Like most people, you get married to stay married. You buy a home, start planning a family, and live life. Then, things change, and you find yourself alone, raising kids without much support. You can choose to stay angry or seek the help you need to navigate this new life. I am thankful for Kris and The Singles Network Ministries. The website is so full of excellent articles and resources. I am also grateful for the additional links to ministries focusing on single parents. With God's help and others, just one day at a time.
—Jenna, Dallas, TX