Dating and the Church: How Should the Church Treat Singles?
Simply starting a ministry with a name doesn’t mean you’ll attract young adults. Focus on providing for and meeting needs to bring the gospel message to young adults near your church.
- Young Adults 20's & 30's -
Who are Young Adults?
Young adults (youing adult ministry) are individuals in the early stages of adulthood, typically aged between their late teens and early thirties. This age group often represents a transition period between adolescence and full-fledged adulthood, marked by significant life changes and milestones. Young adults are in a phase of exploration, self-discovery, and decision-making that can influence their personal, educational, spiritual, and career trajectories.
- Young Adult Stats -
Young Adults are Single
Delayed Marriage
30 is the average age for a first marriage for men and 28 for women as of 2022. This has increased every year for the past 25 years, with a major increase since 2007.
20% Divorce ages 25-34
Young adults have the highest divorce rate of married adults, with those 25-34 experiencing a divorce rate
Living with the Parents
From 2000 to 2023, an increase of 87% of singles in their 20s and 30s, around 7 million young adults, now live with their parents.
US Facts
Young Adults are Alone
Young adults spend 70% less time with friends than they did two decades ago.
Who are young adults? What defines a young adult? Should we call our ministry a young adult ministry?
Who Is a Young Adult?
Simply starting a ministry with a name doesn’t mean you’ll attract young adults. Focus on providing for and meeting needs to bring the gospel message to young adults near your church.
What Young Adults Look for in a Church
Simply starting a ministry with a name doesn’t mean you’ll attract young adults. Focus on providing for and meeting needs to bring the gospel message to young adults near your church.
The Art of Staying Single: Challenging Societal Norms and Embracing Your Independence
Single adults can feel like they’re swimming against the tide in a world that often glorifies romantic relationships. Society’s fixation on relationships has created a narrative that being single is
5 Ways Singles Ministry Can Transform Your Church Community
Explore the exciting Christian holidays of 2025 by reading our blog 'Christian Holidays in 2025'.
Top Name Ideas for a Young Adults Church Group Ministry
Names for a Young Adult Ministry Over the years, our ministry to singles has had requests to post a list of singles ministry names we found while serving singles and
4 Steps to Become a Church That Welcomes Young Adults
Simply starting a ministry with a name doesn’t mean you’ll attract young adults. Focus on providing for and meeting needs to bring the gospel message to young adults near your church.
How to Host a Welcoming Singles Bible Study in Your Church
Discover how to create a warm and inviting atmosphere for your singles Bible study group in our blog 'How to Host a Welcoming Singles Bible Study in Your Church'.
Top 5 Singles Ministry Resources for Effective Church Engagement
Discover top singles ministry resources for church engagement in our blog 'Top 5 Singles Ministry Resources for Effective Church Engagement'.
3 Things to Remember for Singles at Friendsgiving
For singles, their Friendsgiving may be the only holiday gathering they attend or invite others to. Singles are now 53% of the adult population in America. When we use the term family at the holidays, we often negate single-parent families that comprise over 40% of all families in America. If you want an intentional Friendsgiving this year, here are some things to remember so everyone is invited and welcomed!
College Age is Older
The average age of college students is now 26 years old. This average age takes into account both traditional college students who enroll immediately after high school and non-traditional students who may return to college later in life or attend part-time while working.
College Ranker 2024
Slightly over half of 18-21 are in school
Only 57% of those 18-21 in 2018 were enrolled in a college or university.
27 Years Old at Childbirth
While there was a large jump in birth rates for women in their late 30s, the decline seen in younger groups still brought the overall fertility rate down, shifting the median age at childbirth to 27.
Single Parents are Millennials
More than half of single mothers (52.9%) and more than 1 in 3 single fathers (37%) are millennials.
- Be Single Friendly -
Resources to Reach Young Adults
At Table for One Ministries we are comprised of seminary professors, ministers, doctoral students, and lay leaders passionate about reaching singles. We also have done ministry for decades and know that even the most seasoned of leaders can use a helping hand sometimes. Our Ministry wants to help you get the tools you need to reach singles in your area.
8
Types
Not all singles are the same.
53%
Adults in America
Your community is more single than married.
- Gen Z Stats -
Mid-1990s to Early 2010s
Only Half in College
52% of Gen Z ages 18-23 were enrolled in college or university.
National Center for Education Statistics. 2020
Mental Health Challenges
Mental health is a significant concern for Gen Z, with 70% of individuals aged 13-23 stating that anxiety and depression are major problems among their peers.
 Pew Research Center, 2019
Social Justice and Activism
Gen Z is characterized by their strong focus on social justice and activism. 42% of Gen Z respondents identified as liberal, and 23% identified as very liberal.
Morning Consult. 2020
Environmental Concern
54% of individuals aged 18-23 stating that climate change is a major problem that requires immediate action.
 Pew Research Center, 2021
Loneliness Epidemic
Widespread loneliness in the U.S. poses health risks as deadly as smoking up to 15 cigarettes daily.
Americans spent about 20 minutes a day in person with friends in 2020, down from 60 minutes daily nearly two decades earlier.
The loneliness epidemic is hitting young people, ages 15 to 24, especially hard. The age group reported a 70% drop in time spent with friends during the same period.
US Surgeon General. 2023
Highly Connected
95% of ageS 13-17 have access to a smartphone and are the most technology-native generation to date.
 Pew Research Center, 2021
- Millennial Stats -
Early 1980s and Mid-1990s
1 in 10 are LGBTQ+
More than 1 in 10 millennials (11.2%) say they are LGBTQ+. Among older generations, the percentages are much smaller—3.3% of Generation X, 2.7% of baby boomers, and 1.7% of the silent generation.
Gallop Survey 2022​
Experiences NOT Stuff
Millennials are more likely to prioritize experiences over material possessions. 60% of millennials would rather spend money on experiences like travel and dining out than on buying things.
2021 report by Morning ConsultÂ
Live with Parents
42% of millennials ages 18-29 lived with their parents, making it the most common living arrangement for this age group.
 Pew Research Center, 2020
$871 a Week
The median weekly earnings for full-time millennial workers aged 25-34 were $871.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2021
More Diverse than Ever
Millennials are more racially and ethnically diverse than previous generations. 44% of millennials identified as non-Hispanic white, while 27% were Hispanic, 15% were Black, and 7% were Asian.
 Pew Research Center, 2019
$1.6 Trillion Student Loans
Student loan debt is a significant financial burden for many millennials. As of the first quarter of 2021, the total outstanding student loan debt in the U.S. reached $1.6 trillion.
Federal Reserve. 2021