Everything You Need to Know About Single Mom’s Ministry by Jennifer Maggio

For statistics on the national single parenting epidemic, along with effective church how-to’s, get The Church and the Single Mom HERE.

Churches often look for creative new ways to reach unchurched people groups through outreach, ministry, and discipleship programs. Healthy churches also evaluate their current programs to ask the questions about why they are doing a certain program, whether or not it’s still effective, and ways to better “see” the unseen.  We love those kinds of churches – the ones who aren’t afraid to self-analyze, try something new, or rid themselves of programs that no longer work.  Single moms’ ministries, support groups, Sunday school classes, and outreaches are often fairly new for most churches, when compared to the existence of women’s ministry, youth ministry, or even college & young professional programs in churches. 

For some, the idea of single moms’ ministries evokes strong emotion. If you are one or were raised by one, it is likely that you are moved immensely with compassion regarding the need to minister to this precious people group.  If you don’t have as much life experience with the issue, maybe there hasn’t been divorce or unwed pregnancy in your family or close circle, you may vehemently oppose the idea of single moms’ ministry. There may even be some who fear single moms’ ministries somehow glorify single motherhood, promote divorce, or even endorse unwed pregnancy. This is where The Life of a Single Mom Ministries steps in. We are a one-stop shop for all things single mom ministry related, focused on helping churches start, grow, and trouble-shoot single moms’ Bible studies, prayer groups, and events, for effective evangelism and discipleship.

First, we are an education tool to raise awareness regarding the statistics facing single mothers, the need for churches to have a single moms’ ministry, and the details about what a single moms’ program is and is not.  We provide a step-by-step training kit on how to creatively launch or improve a single moms’ program in your church, including coaching, curriculum, webinars, and more than two decades of experience on the front lines of single moms’ ministries in churches of varying sizes and denominations. 

Looking to start your own support group? The kit includes teaching videos, 200-page workbook, customizable print materials, copies of The Church and the Single Mom book, copies of Overwhelmed: The Life of a Single Mom, AND purchase of kit includes a free 30-minute phone consultation with our ministry! Get started HERE!

Let’s start with the “why.” 

We are often asked why a single moms’ ministry is even important in a local church.  Our response?  “How much time ya got?”  There are a litany of reasons why single moms’ ministries are crucial to a church.  First, did you know that according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau, there are 15 million single parents raising approximately 22 million children?  More than 80% of those single parents are single mothers. Beyond this reality, single mothers are often plagued with seemingly insurmountable obstacles including children who are 32 times more likely to run away from home, 10 times more likely to drop out of high school, and 5 times more likely to commit suicide (Fathermag.com and Father’s Manifesto 2008).

Aside from those realities, data supports higher likelihood of financial woes, parenting challenges, and overall sense of exhaustion. In short, single moms need our help. And by “our” we mean the church– the collective body of Christ. (Check out The Church and the Single Mom for Biblical references and stat citations).  Ministry to single mothers often includes ministry to the “least of these”, “fatherless”, “broken”, and “hurting”.   

Now, make no mistake! There are some amazing single moms who are shattering statistics daily, so we don’t mean to imply that single mothers or their children are destined to become a statistic! In fact, to the contrary! We believe, with God, all things are possible, and He’s in the statistic-shattering business! That’s why it is so important that our churches are on the front lines of ministering to single mother-led families. 

We are very careful to point out what single moms’ ministry is not. 

It is not a promotion of divorce or any anti-Biblical behavior in any way. It’s important to first recognize that single moms arrive at their journey in a variety of ways. Some adopted from the foster care system. Others lost a spouse to death. Still yet, others were abandoned by a spouse and did nothing wrong. Yes, there are single moms who made poor choices, but even still, do we ignore the needs that exist? Do we ignore how loved they and their children are by God?  We are called to love. We are called to be filled with compassion – to see her the way Jesus does.  Consider this. There is always a story behind the story. For every single mom you see, there could be layers upon layers of hurt, disappointment, pain, devastation, and even abuse, and many are desperate to hear the Gospel and come into relationship with Lord and receive His provision of healing and restoration.

Now, you know the what and why, but how?

How do you minister effectively to single mothers, especially if they have been hurt, judged, or ostracized from a local church? Begin with a single moms’ ministry plan.  In short, it’s a gathering of single mothers hosted the church. Ideally, each group is led by a current or former single mom, or  a woman who has personal experience with the journey (raised by a single mom, daughter is a single mom, etc.)  It doesn’t have to be more complicated than that.

Each church’s structure is different, so maybe Sunday school class works for you or a connect group or life group. Maybe home groups are how your church is structured. Give single moms a place to gather. Consider the needs they have that include: parenting guidance, emotional & spiritual support, networking opportunities,  making friends who are in similar life seasons, and financial support.  Host single moms groups and provide a free meal for them to enjoy during the meetings.  Provide childcare, so that they can participate.  We recommend meeting 2 times per month for 1.5 hours.  Food and childcare are a must and can be done at very low or no cost with volunteers.  For more detailed information on how to launch a single moms’ ministry, check out our Single Mom Comprehensive Support Group Guide in our store.

Consider the single moms that are not yet in your church. Consider the single moms that sit longingly outside of your church walls with a deep desire to be seen.  Show her she is just as valuable to the body of Christ as any other and that she is loved by her King.  Show her she is part of the flock. Mentor her kids. Offer to babysit. In other words, let us be the church.  For additional ideas on ways a church or individual can serve single moms, check out 25 Ways to Serve Single Moms HERE.

Jennifer Maggio was once a homeless, severely abused, single mom of two children who had no money, no friends, and no hope. She was certain no one could understand how hard her life was. Her journey through the next several years and the hope that she found through Christ has been an inspiration to millions of single mothers and hurting women. Today, Maggio is founder of the global nonprofit, The Life of a Single Mom® and author of multiple books. She has a passion to see women living free from their pasts and is on a mission to see that no single mom walks alone. For more information, visit jennifermaggio.com.

The Life of a Single Mom® is a national, faith-based, nonprofit that exists to see that no single mom walks alone. To date, the organization has worked with thousands of churches to start a single mom’s support group in cities throughout the U.S. and beyond, as well as having served more than one million single mothers with a variety of programs. Offering a large array of books, curriculum, training materials, online instructional videos, podcasts, newsletters, life skills education, and more, TLSM is one of the largest single mom organizations in the U.S. The robust selection of single mom programs focus on empowering single moms to grow spiritually, emotionally, financially, and parentally through Single Mom University®, Single Moms Across America, the National TLSM Single Moms Conference, boot camps, and a variety of other programs. For more information,  visit thelifeofasinglemom.com.