Ministering to the Young Single Adult - Elmer Towns

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Who Is the Young Single Adult?I. PROFILES OF THREE YOUNG SINGLE ADULTSLet us look at three young single adults-Brian, Ann and Sue. We shall note theunique features of their age-sex grouping, and also attempt to determine thecharacteristics that might be typical of such young people.1. Profile of Brian. Brian is a young eligible bachelor still searching for identity.He works as a clerk in an advertising firm, hoping to become a layout man in the nearfuture. A higher position will mean better income and a degree of stability in the firm.Brian is considered the “catch” by all the young secretaries, but he is not interested insettling down. He dates regularly and ardently, yet has no deep, long-lasting interest inany one girl.Brian is the youngest of three children, born during the Second World War. Hetells his friends he majored in “sports” in high school and as a result won a lucrativescholarship to a recognized university. After failing sophomore geometry three times, hedropped out of college and returned home seeking to avoid the draft. For one year heworked as a steeple jack, considered by many a “dangerous” job. Now he has settleddown to office work and is looking for some stability and security in life.Brian lives in the large family home with his mother. Brian’s father passed awaytwo years ago, leaving him the responsibility of caring for his mother and the familyhome. In childhood and adolescence Brian was very obedient, but now it is quite evidentthat he is the head of the home. His mother takes extremely good care of him and hereciprocates by caring for her.Brian’s older brother and sister are extremely religious. His brother is an ordainedminister and his sister attended a Bible college looking toward the mission field. Brian isa “good” boy although not as interested in spiritual things as his brother and sister.The Christian concept of “being somebody” does not appeal to him as much as“doing something.” He is always willing and ready to perform tasks at the church whenasked. Last year he took over teaching a junior boys’ class and enjoys the challenge. Thejunior boys idolize Brian, and he is having an apparent good influence on young lives inthe church.Financially, his spending habits are regarded as conservative. His friends considerhim a “sharp” dresser. He has only a few clothes but all the latest styles. He prefers to paycash for everything and does not like to go in debt even though he bought a new car ontime payments. There is no mortgage on the old homestead and bills for upkeep are notexorbitant.
Each year Brian faces the possibility of draft. As long as he has the care of hismother perhaps he will not be called.What does the future hold for Brian? Will he be content to take care of his motherand live at the homestead? Will he desire to marry, have a family and make a life forhimself independent of his mother? What is his future?2. Profile of Ann. Ann is thirty-five years of age and feels as though she is on the“shelf” socially. During her college days she was considered fun, bouncy and the life ofthe party. Now after 15 years of teaching in the public school she is a little chubby,bookish and looks middle-aged.Ann feels she is losing her youth and as a result hangs on to her position as youthchaperone in the local church. She attempts to form deep friendships with the high schoolgirls and considers herself an excellent counselor. Some of the girls resent Ann’s pryingand ignore her. These girls drop out of young people’s or else “blow up” and tell her off.In either case the high school girls who show their emotion get the “maternal” attitudefrom Ann. She is willing to forgive if only the high school girl will repent and come backto the Lord.Ann has favorites in the youth group. The young people who laugh at her jokes,seek her spiritual advice and respond to her devotional messages get special treatment.They are invited on special week-end excursions. The “special young people” have foundthat they must continue to compliment and “play the game” to continue to get specialattention.Ann lives with her parents although she is her own boss. When she first came outof college, she left home and went to another city to teach school. Here she broke herparental ties and cut the “apron strings.” When she moved back home, her parents rebuiltthe basement and furnished an apartment for her. Now she has the independence of aprofessional girl, yet the conveniences of home.Ann’s parents charge her a token payment for room and board. Most of hermoney is spent on her car, clothes and supporting the church work. She considers nosacrifice too great for the work of the Lord.Ann has taken two trips abroad. One summer she toured ten European countrieswith a denominationally sponsored youth tour, and another summer she toured the HolyLand through an alumni-sponsored tour by her college. Other than that, each summer isspent at a Christian camp, serving as counselor or sports instructor.Lately Ann has been having doubts. After 15 years of satisfaction in the teachingprofession, she no longer feels a challenge. Physically, she realizes she doesn’t have herformer stamina and durability. Every morning she sees an-other gray hair. A “spare tire”around her waist tells her that middle age is knocking at her door. Earlier in life theproblem of being single didn’t bother her. Now she asks herself the question, “Whydidn’t I get married?” Up until now, Ann has always felt that she could “snare” a man ifshe wanted to. Now she questions her ability.
Page 2: Ministering to theYoung Single Adul
Page 5: ContentsIntroduction1 The Enigma of
Page 8 and 9: young persons. The college student
Page 10: CHAPTER 1The Enigmaof the Young Sin
Page 13 and 14: A twenty-eight-year-old stenographe
Page 15 and 16: IV. CLASSIFICATIONThere are many ki
Page 17 and 18: There seems to be a lack of desire
Page 19 and 20: FOOTNOTES1. Judy Klemesrud, The Chi
Page 24 and 25: What do you think is Ann’s main p
Page 26: adult . . . Probably it is safe to
Page 29 and 30: Other reasons are given that young
Page 31 and 32: FOOTNOTES1. Paul B. Maves, Understa
Page 34 and 35: The Young Single Adult and His Prob
Page 36 and 37: 3. Wants to succeed in his work but
Page 38 and 39: Although more people live in high-r
Page 40 and 41: in the family got married, left the
Page 42 and 43: will appear around the drinks. You
Page 44 and 45: communication, the two find a minis
Page 46 and 47: causes tension within the individua
Page 48: CHAPTER 4Helping Young SingleAdults
Page 51 and 52: Counseling has many approaches: cli
Page 53 and 54: isolation from other men. The separ
Page 55 and 56: elieve. Since the gospel has two ma
Page 57 and 58: He may do what you say without unde
Page 59 and 60: him. He needs to know that he is no
Page 61: CHAPTER 5Program in the Church fort
Page 64 and 65: When discussing programs and curric
Page 66 and 67: . The planned events of the church
Page 68 and 69: them to a potential host or hostess
Page 70: d. Helps to keep the newly married
Page 73:
CHAPTER 6Young Single Adults-A Chal
Page 76 and 77:
therefore neglect them. Some church
Page 78 and 79:
Authentic Christian fellowship will
Page 80 and 81:
same-”girls are looking for a man
Page 82 and 83:
unique needs and characteristics of
Page 85 and 86:
Young Single Adults—Their Opportu
Page 87 and 88:
IV. PARTICIPATING IN THE WORSHIP SE
Page 89 and 90:
The young single adult can serve in
Page 91 and 92:
BibliographyAllen, E. “Who Wants
Page 93 and 94:
Leypolt, M. M. “Teaching-Learning
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Ministering to the Young Single Adult - Elmer Towns

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