Ministering to the Young Single Adult - Elmer Towns

Program in the Church for the Young Single AdultBill White comes home from his job with a local finance company and finds hiswidowed mother busy preparing the evening meal. Bill is twenty-six-years-old, isenthusiastic about his job, earns an adequate salary for a single person, and attendschurch at the prodding of his very faithful church-going mother. He seems to enjoy thequietness of their comfortable home, yet there are times when he is moody and difficultto understand. Tonight is Friday night, and after a quiet supper he will probably relax infront of the television set and watch his favorite spy story. Bill’s mother is a littleconcerned about her only child’s future. Frankly, she would prefer a better social life forhim, and too she is praying that he will soon realize his Christian responsibility forpersonal growth and reaching others for Christ.This home situation is not just a hypothetical one. Many young single adultsranging in age from twenty to thirty-five live a very similar life. How can the churchmeet their unique needs? The young single adults in some churches number a largegroup. And this number can be so significant that the worship services alone are notsufficient to meet their needs. When there are enough young single adults in the church,the church is obligated to meet their needs on a group basis.I. THE TOTAL CHURCH PROGRAMThe church should consider the total needs and problems of the young single adultwhen planning to meet his needs. When doing so, the church will be concerned with suchareas as teaching, training, worship, fellowship and service. Also, a program(evangelism) to reach the young single adult will need to be included in the church’sconcern.1. Determining the program. Those who plan programs for the young single adultshould be concerned about the curriculum. The term “curriculum” comes from the Latinword currere, which means “to run,” implying a “race track” or “the course to be run.” InGoding’s Young Adult Handbook several principles are given in the selection of programsfor young adults:a. Does the text include reference to other material?b. Does it contain a Christian treatment of the subject?c. Is the writer considered a reliable authority?d. Does it challenge the group’s thinking?e. Can it be used advantageously in stimulating discussion?f. Will it influence the group toward a more positive Christian stand? 1