Dennis Franck, coordinator of the Single Adult Ministries
Agency at the Assemblies of God Headquarters, has been a leader of single
adults and has written for Single Adult Ministries Journal, Baker Book
House and Victor Books on singles ministry. Franck recently talked with
Ken Horn, managing editor of the Pentecostal Evangel, about this
ministry to the fastest-growing demographic* in
the United States.
Evangel: What is the function of the Single Adult Ministries Agency?
Franck:
The Single Adult Ministries Agency helps districts, churches, pastors
and leaders build spiritually strong single and single-again adults
of all ages by recognizing the need and opportunity for ministry to/with
single adults; by reaching them through prayer, planning, training and
resources; by restoring them to spiritual and relational wholeness;
and by releasing them to discover and follow God’s plan for their
lives.
Evangel: What contributions do singles make to local churches?
Franck: Singles (comprising ages 18-80) are involved in every
area of church ministry — ushering, singing, teaching children,
serving on committees and boards.
Evangel: Give an example of what is being done to reach singles
in the Assemblies of God. And what are some future plans?
Franck: Several years ago the national Sunday School Promotion
and Training Department staff worked with the Oklahoma District to pioneer
a singles family camp. The camp is ongoing and includes ministry to
children and youth, as well as ministry to single moms and single dads.
Plans include a National Singles Sail-a-bration, October 7-14, 2001.
Also, as leaders are trained and begin to network, ministry to single
adults will have visibility on the district and national levels within
the Assemblies of God.
Evangel: What steps can local churches take to develop single-adult
ministries?
Franck: Because there are not many full-time single-adult ministry
pastors in our churches, laypersons lead single-adult ministries. Those
who are married again understand single and single-again people and
what it takes to rebuild their lives.
A church may not have something for all ages of singles, but it can
have a class for one age group or one need group. Age groups include
college, young adult, singles 30-plus, seniors 55-plus. Need groups
include never-married, single parent, divorced, widowed, separated.
Singles themselves will become involved because they will support the
groups they helped to create.
A packet of material for beginning a single-adult ministry is available
from the Single Adult Ministries Agency office. E-mail me at: singles@ag.org
Evangel: Give practical ways Christians can get involved in ministry
to singles.
Franck: Married couples can invite singles to dinner and remember
them on holidays. Or they can give single moms a four-hour break on
Saturday just to read, shop or be alone.
Send cards or call single-again persons (divorced or widowed) to let
them know you are praying.
College and young-adult singles (ages 18-28) enjoy home-cooked meals.
Offer to serve refreshments in singles classes.
Evangel: Anything else?
Franck: A church of any size must understand the issues singles
face and be prepared to help. Many singles are hurting from the pain
of divorce and need the love and care the church can provide. They are
gifted and want their lives to count for the Kingdom.
The Single Adult Ministries Agency of the Assemblies of God wants to
help local churches minister to the 79 million singles in America.
*Statistics show that In the United States of
all adults 18 years & older: 23 percent never married (46 million);
10 percent divorced (20 million); 7 percent widowed (13 million); and
4 percent separated (6 million)
Franck:
The Single Adult Ministries Agency helps districts, churches, pastors
and leaders build spiritually strong single and single-again adults
of all ages by recognizing the need and opportunity for ministry to/with
single adults; by reaching them through prayer, planning, training and
resources; by restoring them to spiritual and relational wholeness;
and by releasing them to discover and follow God’s plan for their
lives.