How to Help the Single Mothers in Your Church
Single mothers face a variety of challenges--ranging from financially providing for their children to getting an education while working. Church members can help by reaching out to them financially, spiritually and emotionally. For example, the church can set up a food bank where single mothers can receive food items. The church can also hold weeknight church services for single mothers who have to work on Sundays.
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Instructions
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Find Unique Ways of Outreach
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Start a job training program in your church that will help single mothers find good jobs. You can recruit church members from various careers to meet with the single mothers twice a week to help them write cover letters and resumes, research jobs and teach them job interviewing skills. If they can't be away from the children, offer to counsel them in their homes.
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Develop ways for single mothers to join church activities, even though they may have a busy schedule. For example, invite them to participate in women's Bible study or church picnics. Offer to pick them up if they do not have transportation.
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Start a daycare for the single mothers who work during the day. This will ease the burden of mothers' child-care expenses and also provide a safe haven for children.
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Provide special pastoral counseling sessions specifically for single mothers. Single mothers are dealing with the pressures of motherhood, work and sometimes academics--and they need spiritual guidance to keep them grounded.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not have a judgmental attitude toward single mothers. They need compassion as well as constructive correction from church members.
Beware of signs of depression when counseling mothers in your church. If you notice that they haven't been attending services or that their conversations have become pessimistic, find ways to reach out to them.
