Articles for tag: Single Parents

May 21, 2017

By Matt Johnson “Please raise your hand if you can name three single moms in your congregation,” I said while coleading a workshop at the 2015 North American Christian Convention. Many hands proudly shot up. Most of us can easily rattle off the names of three or four single mothers. Many can list 10 or more. These are women we respect. They faithfully wake up early on Sundays to get three wiggly children to worship. They are frazzled with life and still carve out time to volunteer at the Welcome Center. They often do the work of two parents while

May 13, 2017

Christian Standard

Family & Relationships

Stepfamilies Are REAL Families

StepfamiliesÂ have real problems too often misunderstood or ignored by the local church. Here”s what stepfamilies around you are facing and feeling and how your congregation can help them. * Â * Â * By Jeff and Judi Parziale John and Stephanie were married about two years before they started attending a nearby church. Each brought two children into the marriage. Stephanie”s children were with her full time; her former spouse had left the state and had almost no contact with his children. John shared custody with his former spouse, Pam. Every week their two sons transitioned from one house to the other.Â

August 13, 2016

Christian Standard

Family & Relationships

Hope Haven a Godsend for Single-Parent Families

By JenniferÂ Johnson The New Mexico Christian Children”s Home (NMCCH) in Portales, NM, has cared for thousands of children since building its first dormitory on 80 acres of farmland in 1954. Today the children”s home is breaking new ground””in every sense””by constructing duplex homes and offering help to struggling single parents. “We recognized the need more than 30 years ago, and began then to acquire homes and provide assistance to single parents and their kids,” says Tom Pittmon, director of public relations. “We already have 12 homes for single parents, but the need just continues to grow. Twenty-four to 34 percent

June 24, 2016

Christian Standard

Church & Ministry Church Planting

Small Church, Big Vision

By Matthew McGue After planting a multiethnic, community-impacting church in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2004, God clearly called my wife and me to plant another intentional multiethnic church in Jackson, Mississippi. We launched One Church on March 23, 2014. Planting an intentional, multiethnic, gospel-centered, community-impacting church in a very traditional, Deep South city with historic segregation might seem crazy. It can be even more challenging as a Northerner, affectionately referred to as a “Damn Yankee,” with no local relationship connections. As a church planter, you had better be sure the Lord is calling you to a specific place, especially when

March 31, 2016

Michael C. Mack

Church Leadership

April Ministry Ideas

By Michael C. Mack Autism Awareness Month. April is Autism Awareness Month. What can your church, class, or group do to come alongside families in your community who deal with autism? “¢ Start a support group for families with autism. “¢ Some churches offer Sunday school classes designed especially for children with autism. “¢ One church offers a regular “Parents” Night Out” event, providing volunteer child care for parents with autistic children. While moms and dads enjoy some quiet alone time, children have fun with crafts, snacks, and movies. “¢ Be creative. Come up with your own ideas to reach

September 27, 2015

Michael C. Mack

Church & Ministry Community Outreach

Reaching Out to Single Moms

By Michael C. Mack Studies show more than a quarter of American adults are divorced or raising children alone. Yet surveys indicate only 5 percent of single parents attend church regularly. What can the church do to reach single moms? One congregation has thrown baby showers for single moms-to-be. The goal is to show love to someone struggling and unsure of God”s love in a difficult time. Women from the church cook, plan games, and act as hosts at the event. The Single Moms Ministry at McCook (Nebraska) Christian Church started a new Bible study group and handed out fliers

August 19, 2013

Christian Standard

Ministries & Nonprofits Organizations & Events

The Pearl Group: More than a Donation

By Nancy Karpenske The Pearl Group is a nonprofit that helps single parents in specialized ways. This group was launched by business owners from LifeBridge Christian Church who wanted to do more than just donate money. The Pearl Group can apply for grants, seek donors, and arrange partnerships with foundations and agencies that might not give to a church. The Pearl programs offer a wide array of services: “¢ A car clinic happens on Saturdays every other month. Two local garages open their doors for teams of volunteer mechanics. “¢ The Closet is a free clothing bank for moms and