friendsfirst Press Releases

Issued on behalf of friendsfirst

Press Release

For Immediate Release

xx June 2006

Church won't grow unless it caters for singles – warning

THE Church in the UK will never turn around its decline in attendance unless it learns to cater to the spiritual needs of singles.

At a time when denominational leaders are encouraging 'All Age' services, or 'Family Friendly' services, meeting the needs of children and parents, a national Christian Friendship and Dating agency is calling on the Church to be more sensitive towards singles.

Katharine Gray, 37, director of friendsfirst based in Birmingham, has over 10,000 contacts on her database.  She says the most common complaint from her contacts is that their spiritual and relational needs are ignored by the Church.

Ms Gray, a former NHS management executive, and herself single, said: "The Church is making great efforts to be more open, warm and welcoming, and that's to be encouraged, but their focus is mainly on families.  In other churches there are attempts by a few people to reach out to singles, but this ethos is not owned by the whole church.

"Any look at the Census for any local area will show the high proportion of single people living in every parish, and by and large, they don't want to walk into churches where the total emphasis is based on those who have children.

"Single people, of whatever age, have spiritual needs and often want to worship in a more adult setting.  They're not in anyway against children, or family life, indeed many of them long for it, but if Church leaders fail to recognise their spiritual needs, they'll stop attending.  The Church will never attract the masses of singles out there desperate to have a sense of belonging to someone, which the Church, and Christian faith can offer, unless leaders recognise the need to change.

Katharine also says many churches have a mistaken belief that single people have more time to 'give to the Church' than those in families, and that if they don't they're 'selfish'.

"Singles are expected to be at every event as if they have no excuse," she says, "but many single people have major career responsibilities, and once again, just because the Church organises an event, it doesn't mean it's relevant to singles."

Ms Gray says she wants to encourage churches to consider whether mid-week, after-work services or events may attract more singles, and to consider giving more opportunities for single Christians to meet, discuss and debate faith, rather than just sit and listen to sermons.

"Many single people enjoy being able to meet informally and discuss or debate issues," she said.  However, today's Church is focussed on preaching, and leading worship at the front of church.  To reach different cultures and groupings you need different approaches, and if some churches try looking at the needs of adult singles, they will find plenty of ideas coming forward!"

Ends.

For further information:

Katharine Gray: 0121 427 1286; 07944 054144; 

Picture Note:

JPEG picture attached of Katharine Gray, Director of friendsfirst.

Editor's Notes:  More information about friendsfirst can be found at: www.friends1st.co.uk