young persons. The college student feels alienated because he cannot get involved, andtends not <strong>to</strong> return. Also, college students tend <strong>to</strong> want more intellectual <strong>to</strong>pics dealingwith problems of <strong>the</strong> academic community in <strong>the</strong> program. The career young person hasprobably chosen not <strong>to</strong> attend college. Academic <strong>to</strong>pics remind him that he did not go,and make him feel more inferior.4. A strong leader can overcome <strong>the</strong> college-career polarization. When a youngsingle adults meeting is based on worship, fellowship or Bible study <strong>the</strong>re tends <strong>to</strong> be apolarization between <strong>the</strong> college and career members. However, a strong leader canbecome <strong>the</strong> catalyst, attracting and keeping both college and career young people. Withan aggressive personality, <strong>the</strong> program may be worship, Bible study or an aggressiveservice ministry, but strong leadership attracts visi<strong>to</strong>rs and becomes <strong>the</strong> basis on whichattendance is based.5. Fellowship is <strong>the</strong> most needed ministry for a young single adult group. The<strong>to</strong>tal ministry of <strong>the</strong> church includes evangelism, Bible teaching, worship and training.The young single adult department will not always be able <strong>to</strong> duplicate <strong>the</strong>se ministriesbecause <strong>the</strong> singles are involved in <strong>the</strong> <strong>to</strong>tal church program. However, fellowship is <strong>the</strong>one ministry most difficult <strong>to</strong> provide for singles. The phrase that would best characterizeyoung single careers <strong>to</strong>day is “becoming human through significant relationships.” Thedeep-seated need of personal identity and direction in life can be provided by <strong>the</strong> <strong>to</strong>talchurch ministry, but is best accentuated through fellowship with o<strong>the</strong>r young singleadults.Remember, however, that single people have diversified interests, just <strong>the</strong> same asmarried people, and cannot be fitted in<strong>to</strong> one neat group and be expected <strong>to</strong> be delightedwith <strong>the</strong> opportunity <strong>to</strong> “belong” and participate in <strong>the</strong> general idea of what “all” singlepeople enjoy doing.Also, single people can enjoy <strong>the</strong> company of <strong>the</strong>ir married counterparts . . . <strong>the</strong>fellowship of <strong>the</strong>ir homes and children. Do not fall in<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> trap of thinking that meetingsand programs designed for married people are not interesting <strong>to</strong> those who are notmarried simply because <strong>the</strong>y are single.6. Programs for young single adults should go first class. Lyle Schaller reports<strong>the</strong> average church attendee in America gives $157 per year. This average is figured fromall who attend, averaged over <strong>the</strong> entire church year. In a study of fourteen churches, <strong>the</strong>young single adult gave $287 each per year <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> church. First, <strong>the</strong>y gave almost twice asmuch and second, <strong>the</strong>y have less financial burdens than <strong>the</strong>ir married counterparts.Therefore, <strong>the</strong>y have money available and are attracted <strong>to</strong> activities that are first class.This generalization will not apply <strong>to</strong> all career singles, but most seek a quality of life anddesire quality in Christian activities. They still have financial problems, but can pay <strong>the</strong>price when <strong>the</strong>ir tickets help meet a need. The obvious weakness in <strong>the</strong> above comparisonis that $287 is averaged only among single people, each one a breadwinner. The o<strong>the</strong>rfigure, $157, is averaged among babies, wives, teenagers and fa<strong>the</strong>rs who bring home apaycheck. Obviously, <strong>the</strong> single adult should be figured in<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>to</strong>tal church givingaverage. But, when isolated in<strong>to</strong> a young single adult group, <strong>the</strong>ir giving power is greater.
7. Do not ask, “Why aren’t you married yet?” As I continually talk with singleadults, I find this question provokes <strong>the</strong>m most, even though <strong>the</strong>y have learned <strong>to</strong> livewith it and can joke about it. Remember, <strong>the</strong> single person does not ask, “Why did youget married?” When we ask why <strong>the</strong>y are not married, our question implies <strong>the</strong>y arewrong and our wedding ceremony makes us right. Being single or married has no moralconnotations. A person can be single and in <strong>the</strong> will of God, or married and out of <strong>the</strong>will of God, or vice versa. The young single adult is a person, seeking <strong>to</strong> find his place inlife, just as <strong>the</strong> married person. May God lead us all <strong>to</strong> a better understanding of His willfor our lives.<strong>Elmer</strong> L. <strong>Towns</strong>
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