Single Parent Resources for Churches and Families
This resource list gathers books, video series, and websites related to single parenting, women’s ministry, counseling, family life, and practical support. Compiled by Nancy Karpenske, it offers ministry leaders and readers a starting point for finding helpful tools and organizations.
- Includes books on finances, motherhood, counseling, divorce, and spiritual encouragement.
- Lists video series addressing single parenting and boundaries.
- Highlights websites connected with single-parent family ministry and local ministry support.
Compiled by Nancy Karpenske
Books
Help! I Can’t Pay My Bills: Surviving a Financial Crisis by Sally Herigstad (Macmillan, 2006).
She’s Gonna Blow! Real Help for Moms Dealing with Anger by Julie Ann Barnhill (Harvest House Publishers, 2005).
One Tough Mother: It’s Time to Step Up and Be the Mom by Julie Barnhill (Revell, 2007).
The Fig Leaf Conspiracy: Sexuality as It Was Meant to Be by Jimmy Evans (Gospel Light, 2008).
Quick Scripture Reference for Counseling Women by Patricia A. Miller (Baker Books, 2002).
Billy Graham Christian Worker’s Handbook, Charles G. Ward, editor (Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 2006).
You’re Late Again, Lord: The Impatient Woman’s Guide to God’s Timing by Karon Phillips Goodman (Barbour Publishing, 2005).
Get Out of That Pit by Beth Moore (Thomas Nelson, 2007).
The Divine Romance: Going to God with the Longings Only He Can Fulfill by Dee Bright (Revell, 2008).
The Search for Significance by Robert S. McGee (Thomas Nelson, 2003).
Kitchen Table Counseling by Muriel L. Cook and Shelly Cook Volkhardt (NAVPress, 2006).
My Single Mom Life by Angela Thomas (Thomas Nelson, 2007).
He Is My All by Debbie Alsdorf (David C. Cook, 2008).
Once-a-Month Cooking by Mary Beth Lagerborg and Mimi Wilson (St. Martin’s Griffin, 2007).
Don’t Panic—Dinner’s in the Freezer by Susie Martinez, Bonnie Garcia, and Vanda Howell (Revell, 2005).
Grace and Divorce: God’s Healing Gift to Those Whose Marriages Fall Short by Les Carter (Jossey-Bass, 2009).
Video Series
Single Parenting that Works, Kevin Leman (Sampson Ministry Resources, 2002).
Boundaries, Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend (Zondervan, 1999).
Web Sites
www.spfm.org: Center for Single Parent Family Ministry.
www.warrenvillage.org: Warren Village provides low-cost housing, on-site child care, career counseling, and educational opportunities for single parents. It serves as a model for a variety of single-parent initiatives around the country.
www.singlemomm.org: an interdenominational ministry in Traverse City, Michigan.
www.southeastchristian.org: Daybreak, Encouragement for Single Moms, a ministry of Southeast Christian Church, Louisville, Kentucky.
Nancy Karpenske, a contributing editor with CHRISTIAN STANDARD, is director of women’s ministry at LifeBridge Christian Church, Longmont, Colorado.
