Ministering to the Young Single Adult - Elmer Towns

Authentic Christian fellowship will produce spiritual growth. When a youngsingle adult accepts another person for what he is, ultimately he will examine himself.Self-examination leads to self-improvement.In true New Testament fellowship there is a sharing of insights, dreams, needs,and even life itself. The young single adult must have the opportunity to express andrehearse these ideals, thoughts and desires that make up his life if he is to grow inspiritual grace.IV. MEETING RECREATIONAL NEEDSThe average recreational program of a church is organized for children, highschool students, or men. Little is done for the young single adult to enjoy recreation.However, he has time, money and energy to spend on recreation and he will. If thechurch does not provide for his recreational life, his needs will be satisfied through othermedia. At the same time there are some young single adults who are withdrawn, lonely,and need some organization to care for their recreation needs. There are long evenings ofthe week between Sundays and a recreational program would help minister to theseneeds.Ideally, recreational programs sponsored for the young single adult should be inhis hands. Most churches that finally get their recreational program for the young singleadults off the ground usually find that this age-group goes overboard. Too much time isspent on recreation to the omission of other worthy areas of life. Therefore, it is importantto integrate the young single adult program into the entire program of the church.When recruitment of new members for the program is attempted, some churcheshave experienced attendance difficulties because many (especially girls) are reluctant toadmit they are “single.” They feel, if they attend, that others will accuse them of justlooking for a mate. However, once this reticence is overcome, young single adults usuallyget into the program with zest, enthusiasm, and diligence.Try to keep the program person-centered, not activity-centered. There should beenough leaders in the group to stay close to the interests of the young single adult. Usesuch devices as check lists and observation questionnaires to determine the response.Leisure can be a dangerous thing for the young, becoming a destructive influencein the life, sapping the personality of creativity, energy and initiative. Or it can be themeans through which these young people stay young-mentally, physically and spiritually.V. SOLVING PERSONAL PROBLEMSThe young single adult is confronted with many problems that are entirely new tohim. Self-discipline, self-knowledge and self-acceptance are major developmental tasks.