Uniquely Single
How Are Singles Not The Same?
Singles are unique. Every type of single adult listed below has a specific way to be reached and ministered to.These type of labels are not meant to place singles into different ways of being ministered to. Quite the opposite. Once you know who you want to reach, you need to know how to reach them. Your church should be reaching and connecting singles in whatever way they choose to be discipled. Read the descriptions below to learn more about different single adults as a leader, or as a single.
What Not to Say to Singles
Singles
Singles ages 22+ who have never been married and may choose never to marry.
28.9 is the average age for a first marriage for men and 26.9 for women. This has increased every year for the past 25 years with a major increase since 2007.
Percentage of unmarried U.S. residents 18 and older in 2011 who had never been married. Another 24 percent were divorced, and 14 percent were widowed.
Collegiate Singles
Adults ages 18-22 who are single.
More than 50% of all meals are eaten at a Table for One in the United States. This includes single and married adults.
Percentage of unmarried U.S. residents 18 and older in 2015 that are singles.
Dating Singles
Singles who are actively seeking to find a relationship with another single adult.
Number of unmarried people in America 18 and older in 2011. This group comprised 44.1 percent of all U.S. residents 18 and older.
Number of unmarried men 18 and older for every 100 unmarried women in the United States in 2011.
Engaged Singles
Ring is on the finger!
The average length of an engagement in America. 69% of couples have known each other 3 or more years.
2/3 of women want their man to ask their father for permission to marry them.
Divorced Singles
Singles who have been married before and are currently not married or recently separated. These singles may choose to marry again or not.
The median age of first marriage divorces in America. 45-50% of first marriages end in divorce, and that percentage only rises with each remarriage. Singles adults who are divorced remarry on average of just over 3 years after their last divorce.
Percentage of unmarried U.S. residents 18 and older in 2011 who had never been married. Another 24 percent were divorced, and 14 percent were widowed.
Single Parents
Singles who have children, but no longer have another person with them to help raise the children. Single parents can come from divorce, widowed, or never being married.
Number of unmarried parents living with their children in 2011. Of these, 10.0 million were unmarried mothers and 1.7 million were unmarried fathers, and 1.9 million were unmarried couples with at least one shared child.
Percentage of opposite sex, unmarried-partner households in 2011 that included at least one partner’s biological child.
Widows
Singles who were married and while married their spouse passed away.
Number of widows in America, of which 4 times are women as men. Widows live on average 14 years alone after their spouse has passed away. The average age of a widow is 57.
Number of unmarried U.S. residents 65 and older in 2011. These seniors comprised 16 percent of all unmarried people 18 and older.
Same-Sex Attraction
A Biblical relationship classification of those who struggle with same-sex attraction is that they are single adults. We want those who struggle with this to know God’s love and have resources to follow God’s plan for your life.
Number of unmarried-partner households in 2010. Of this number, 593,000 were same-sex households.
25.6 million single adults over 18 who have or do struggle with same-sex attraction. However, only 2% of Americans are considered by government survey to be lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBTQ).
Table for One’s Statement on Marriage
Table for One Ministries’ mission is to build community for single adults through discipleship. Our ministry focus is on ministering to singles and helping them to fully realize their completeness in Christ. Yet we also affirm the importance of marriage and believe that being complete in Christ is not just for singles, but for marriages as well. Additionally, while we desire to help churches reach and minister to the ever growing single population, we want to acknowledge the importance of marriage in God’s redemptive plan for this world.
We affirm that biblical marriage is established by God as a life-long covenant between one man and one woman. Marriage is intended to be the perfect example of Christ’s relationship with his church and living example of the gospel of forgiveness, grace and mercy. The marriage relationship provides the only acceptable channel for physical intimacy between a man and woman. Additionally, marriage is God’s plan for the procreation of mankind and is vital to fulfilling His will for both mankind and his kingdom.
We believe in the institution of marriage and yet we recognize that there are many Christians who are single for numerous reasons. Our goal is to help singles to continue to grow and to desire a deep and intimate relationship with Christ now, regardless of their marital or relational status.
Table for One Ministries is a tax-exempt 501(C)(3) (Non-Profit) and all gifts received are tax-deductible. We have complete transparency with our supporters, and will disclose any financial statements as requested. This ministry will be held to the highest standards for non-profits and will include volunteers, a board of directors, and financial accountability.