Single Parents and the Church by Jennifer Maggio

Let me start off by challenging you with my powerful 5-minute video at Jennifer Maggio on You Tube. 

• 17 million single parents in the United States
• 50% of babies today born outside marriage
• 78% of current prison population were raised in single parent homes
• 27% of single parents live on government assistance
• Abuse is twice as likely in a single parent home
• Children of single parents are 5 times more likely to commit suicide
• Children of single parents are 10 times more likely to drop out of high school

That paints a pretty grim picture, doesn’t it?  These aren’t debatable statistics.  This is fact,verified and substantiated.  Is that to say that there aren’t successful single parents all over the country?  Of course not!  There are many who are successful, determined, and parenting effectively, but…..the truth is that many, many are not! 

“Gosh, Jennifer, you are writing to a group of single parents.  Do we really need to hear that?!”  Yes.  Because who changes this?  We all do!

So what do WE do?  How do WE fix it?  We know that the government provides financial assistance, but what about the spiritual and emotional guidance that so many single parents yearn for?  What about effective parenting techniques?

There are four main areas that single parents need assistance in:  parenting, finances, emotional stability, and spiritual growth.  Many non-profits and churches provide assistance in perhaps one or two of the areas, but there are very few providing a well-rounded program in all four.

Did you know that 67% of all single parents today do not actively attend church anywhere?  Many site fear of judgement as one of the reasons.  You can read more about that in my highly-publicized article “The Church and the Single Mom”  (published at CBN.com, the producers of The 700 Club)  http://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/churchandministry/Maggio_Church_Single_Mom.aspx.

I am a HUGE proponent for Single Moms Groups in the local church!   Three years ago, we began HPC Single Moms Ministry with only 3 girls.  We have now grown more than 700% and host bi-weekly meetings, where moms come in and get free clothes, food, etc., as well as a meal, free childcare and a relevant teaching.   We provide a place of comfort, where any single mom can form friendships, learn, and network with one another.  (Read more about HPC at http://www.healingplacechurch.org).

We have helped launch more than 50 single mom’s groups in churches across the country and have assisted in growing dozens more (and it often costs the church NOTHING).  Our hope is that we can provide this free information to churches who will wake up and recognize that there are single moms in their churches who feel scared and want to feel like they belong or……….there are NOT single moms in your churches, because they fear they wouldn’t belong.   Overwhelmed: The Life of a Single Mom, my new book, has been our primary teaching resource, as it does include a 12-part study that specifically teaches the single mom how to plan financially, parent effectively, and survive emotionally! 

So, here’s the deal. NO ONE likes the stats I quoted.  NO ONE.  Everyone has a role to play.  Either you support a local single parent group financially or volunteer with one.  Or you get active in your church launching one.  For more information on how to start or grow your single parent ministry, contact info@thelifeofasinglemom.com.

Author/Speaker, Jennifer Maggio, is one of the nation’s leading authorities on single parent issues.  Her new book, Overwhelmed: The Life of a Single Mom, is selling out in bookstores across the nation and receiving rave reviews.  She has been featured on countless radio and television programs.  For more information, visit http://www.jennifermaggio.com.