5 Steps to becoming a Single Friendly Church

We invite churches to take 5 Steps to become a Single Friendly Church. These Steps cover 5 key areas of church life where single people are often not considered or feel excluded.

The 5 Steps help you to make small changes in each of these areas that will make a big difference to single people’s experience of church.

The 5 Steps

  1. Who is single?
    Who are the single people in your congregation?
    Consider different types of singleness and their different needs.
  2. Language
    Review the wording and images on your website and noticeboards. What message are you giving out?
    Consider how you use the word "family".
  3. Welcome
    Do you notice and welcome those arriving alone?
    Is there a social opportunity after the service?
    Are single people included in the social life outside of the church? e.g. invitations of hospitality
  4. Teaching
    Do you have any single people preaching?
    Choose sermon themes and illustrations relevant to single people as well as couples and families.
  5. Leadership
    Do you have single people in leadership positions? E.g. service leading, small groups

Each Step can be looked at in as little or as much detail as you like – the greater the detail, the greater the transformation in your church.

The 5 Steps Audit

The best way to engage with the 5 Steps and make positive changes in your church is to use our 5 Steps self-assessment audit. This audit will help your church to:

  • Increase your awareness and understanding of what a Single Friendly Church looks like
  • Recognise what you are already doing well
  • Identify areas that need further thought or action taking

Churches that have successfully completed the audit and committed to making changes will be invited to become a Single Friendly Church and feature on our map of churches! We will also provide access to further training and resources.

If you'd like to use the audit and become a Single Friendly Church register today 

Further Resources

  • Online workshops
    We are running two interactive online workshops in March that will explore the 5 Steps in more detail. They will be interactive sessions with opportunities to brainstorm ideas with others.
    Weds 3 March, 11am:     Language and Welcome in a Single Friendly Church. Sign up
    Weds 10 March, 11am: Teaching and Leadership in a Single Friendly Church. Sign up

  • How many single people are there in your area?
    40% of society is single – but in the church it is often much lower. You may wish to investigate how your church demographic compares to your local area demographic, to see if there is a certain group you are currently not reaching. You may find you have more single people in your area than you think!
    Download our guide

  • Mothers Day
    Mothering Sunday services can be a painful experience for many. Here are some suggestions for altering the service in a way that includes everyone.
    Read more