In the news
Research into the numbers of single people in the church, their experiences, attitudes and behaviour has never been done before on any significant scale, which means that all of our findings are new. As a result the various aspects of what we discovered were widely reported in Christian and national media.
Unlike society generally, married couples make up the majority of people who attend Christian worship, which is why churches tend to be oriented around them. Many single people say they feel overlooked and not fully included. And if you are looking for a life partner who shares the same faith, then this is relatively more difficult. It is even more challenging for single women, who outnumber the men considerably and who may never find a partner with whom to share their faith. Some of the articles recognise this and take a positive stance; others stay with the negative. They make interesting reading.
The rest of this site focuses on the positive as we explore the way forward in hope, faith and seeking joy.
Below are examples of how the media covered our research findings and content:
- Diocese of York: 'Other Side of the Boat' Podcast (June 2020)
- Preach Magazine: A Mission in Our Midst (April 2019, Single Living issue 19, copies available here)
- Reform Magazine: Singled Out. Is your church welcoming to unmarried people? (July 2018)
- Woman Alive: I knew my children had arrived by Catherine Francis (November 2016)
- Church Times: Blessed, but not with a Child. Is the Church a Welcoming Space for Those who Face Infertility and childlessness, asks Rachel Giles (May 2015)
- Families First Magazine: Spouseless and Struggling to Fit In (January 2015)
- Christian Today: The Choice for Many Christian Women: Singleness or Marry a Non-Christian (Feb 2015)
- Church Times: Single Churchwomen ‘Cry Inside’ for Lack of Men (Feb 2015)
- Woman Alive: The Singles Report (21 Sep 2013)
Report on the largest ever survey of single Christians in the UK, conducted by Christian Connection. - Idea Magazine: Are Evangelical Churches Bad for Singletons? (27 June 2013)
Findings from a recent Christian Connection survey featured in the July/August edition. - Church Times: The Single Often Feels Ignored in Church, online survey finds (3 May 2013)
Report on the largest online survey of single Christians in the UK, conducted by Christian Connection.
Radio
- BBC Radio 2: Faith in the World Week (July 2019)
Single Friendly Church featured in documentary My Single Life by Sadia Azmat on BBC Radio 2 as part of Faith in the World Week. The programme discussed what singleness looked like in different faiths and how we can thrive in our singleness. - Premier Radio Drive Time: Interview with Beth Collingridge (6 February 2020)
Beth talks about singleness and the church, and tackling Valentine's Day when you don't have a partner. - BBC Local Radio, multiple regions (December 2018)
Jackie Elton and Ruth Edmonds discuss why single people feel overlooked or undervalued in church, and some simple solutions that churches can put into practice. - Premier Radio: Valentine's Day (14 February 2018)
Beth Collingridge talks with John Pantry about being single on Valentine's Day, and how churches can become more welcoming towards those who are single. - BBC Radio 2: Living Alone Well with Hardeep Singh Kohli (21 Oct 2013)
Part of Radio 2′s Faith in the World Week Hardeep Singh Kohli journeys across the UK meeting people of faith and asking the question does their religion help or hinder solo living? Dr David Pullinger shares his experience of being single in the church. - BBC Radio 4: Sunday Programme – Survey on Loneliness (20 Oct 2013)
A new survey on loneliness suggests religious people may be more lonelier than those without a faith. Trevor Barnes considers whether the church’s focus on the family can alienate those who live alone. - Premier Radio: Interview with David Pullinger (25 April 2013)
David Pullinger talks about the recent Christian Connection survey highlighting single people feel increasingly isolated in church on Premier Radio’s lunchtime news programme.
National newspapers
- Telegraph: Single People Feel 'Ignored and Lonely' at Church (25 April 2013)
The Christian Connection survey of single Christians in the UK is reported by The Telegraph newspaper. - Independent: Isolated: single Christians feel unsupported by family-focused churches (24 April 2013)
The Independent newspaper reports the findings of a survey of 3,000 people who use the dating site Christian Connection.
If you would like to speak to a member of the team involved in the research, please contact us.