|
Users viewing this topic:
none
|
|
Login  | |
|
RE: I would go to a SINGLES group/Bible study if: - 9/25/2008 8:45:14 AM
|
|
|
gaylel1
Posts: 1287
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: Southern California, the land of Fruit and nuts...
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: WaitingforBoaz
What would it take for you to go to a singles group?
If A singles group could fulfill a need in your life, would you go?
If you have never been to one, why not?
If you have been to one what did you like, not like?
If you are going to one and love it, I would love to know why.
I have been asked to co-lead a singles group, and the first thing I thought of was you guys. I really need your advise so if you have a minute and can share your feelings on singles groups with me that would be great. I am particularly interested in hearing from single parents.
Thanks,
~Blessings
I don't think church singles groups should be meeting for the purpose of "dating" only, but a singles group should intergrate singles to be part of the community of faith, meaning that the members of the group participate in all aspects of the church and the surrounding community.
This is what I like about our church singles group because it does not emphasize dating--yes there are relationships within the group are formed, but it is much more than that. There are witnessing opportiunities, like the group goes around the community, many go out on mission trips and various outreaches the single groups participate.
_____________________________
Hear "The Truth" with the "other"l Jeff Johnson(http://www.calvarydowney.org)
Visit me at http:www.gayleplace.blogspot.com or http://www.myspace.com/gaylel121
|
|
|
|
|
RE: I would go to a SINGLES group/Bible study if: - 9/25/2008 2:24:42 PM
|
|
|
Elena1030
Posts: 506
Joined: 6/21/2006
From: Music City, USA
Status: offline
|
If a singles group could fulfill a need in your life, would you go?
If you mean to a regular gathering of singles for whatever purpose, yes, depending on the purpose.
I want to get married. And I really appreciate churches like Mars Hill Church in Seattle (pastored by Mark Driscoll) that take seriously the task of preparing singles for marriage and helping them get married and stay married. I wish my church was like that.
So... plenty of men in my age bracket is one aspect I'd like to see in a singles group!!
Also, to me, "singles group" = the group of people who are single. The group is not an event or an activity.
I recently went to a singles game night, and it was fun but most of the people were at least 10 years older than me if not way older. There were lots in their 50s and 60s. I think it's great that they're still active, but my gal pals and I (in our early to mid 30s) are really looking for husbands. And we were disappointed that there weren't more guys, period; and not many of the guys were in our age bracket.
If you have been to one, what did you like and not like?
I loved the variety of activities, Bible studies, opportunities to make friends. And there were lots of guys! We were (and are) a big church, and at the time we drew lots of singles. (Now that our contemporary service is gone and we don't have a fulltime singles minister, that reality no longer exists.)
What I didn't like is that our singles activities were often scheduled in conflict with other church-wide events and activities. That fostered an attitude that we weren't part of the wider church: both sides, the "other" adults and the young adult singles, had that attitude. We became almost a separate congregation. Now those scheduling conflicts don't really happen, but there's also the problem of no overall ministry to singles, no matter where they are "housed" within the church structure (be it in a singles Sunday School class, in a mixed single/married class, or teaching a Sunday School class in another age group). Many times the 20-somethings SS class will plan something and maybe open it to all singles throughout the church, but they don't communicate it/promote it well, so the rest of us don't even know an event/activity is available for us to go to. The 30-something class is growing a bit, and they're trying to do more stuff and sometimes my little group gets invited to those things.
Of course, I could try to do more to make things happen. (Isn't that always the case when we whine about stuff?)
I'm in a Sunday School class for marrieds and singles, of all ages. I like that. And most ministries I'm involved in cross generational lines and marital status, so the "be part of the wider body of Christ" part is taken care of in my life. Now I need to meet more prospects for marriage!!! That is what's missing!!! So... to be honest, that's why I am willing to go to singles functions held by and at other churches. I keep my radar up, and am doing a lot better at not exuding "Eau de Desperation." ;o) I do meet gals I've not met before and make new acquaintances, but I have lots of gal pals already. I'm not hurtin' for those. (I will offer friendship to someone who needs a friend, but that's not my primary motivation for socializing.) What I am hurtin' for is a husband! I mean, lets be honest here!!!
_____________________________
"We're not odd, we're just over-expressive."—Helen in Howard's End
|
|
|
|
|
RE: I would go to a SINGLES group/Bible study if: - 9/25/2008 5:36:19 PM
|
|
|
RubySparkles
Posts: 272
Joined: 4/18/2005
From: United Kingdom
Status: offline
|
What would it take for you to go to a singles group?
For it to be fun with people my age and people who are genuinely single. Not engaged, because if you are engaged you are not single.
If A singles group could fulfill a need in your life, would you go?
Sure, I used to go to one for regular company and conversation.
If you have never been to one, why not?
If you have been to one what did you like, not like?
The friendship, companionship, consistency, being able to contribute to and learn from others. There was nothing I didn't like.
_____________________________
Lord, all our success is because of what you have done, so give us peace.
Is 26:12
|
|
|
|
|
RE: I would go to a SINGLES group/Bible study if: - 10/3/2008 7:56:38 PM
|
|
|
HoosierMusicLover
Posts: 84
Joined: 10/3/2008
From: Where I hang my bootstraps :)
Status: offline
|
What would it take for you to go to a singles group?
Well, I actually would like to meet people, make friends and maybe meet a good lady to start a relationship with. I'm certainly not looking for a meet market, but neither do I want to meet people who are afraid to pursue anything. I've seen both, and neither one promotes a healthy balance in life. Plus, for me, I would also love to meet some guys to hang out with and not feel like I had to go to a bar, etc. after work just to be one of the guys.
If A singles group could fulfill a need in your life, would you go?
Absolutely. I've been a part of a large singles group, helped on the leadership team for that same one, and even led a smaller singles group and single mens group myself. All met different needs in my life and it was a great time of making friends and growing and stretching myself in so many different ways.
If you have never been to one, why not?
n/a 
If you have been to one what did you like, not like?
Sadly, as with everything, the way things fell apart as people moved onto other things in life. It seemed that some of the connections were more one-sided and things were smoother as long as you were there for others, but this was not always reciprocated. Ah, but I guess that's just life and the friends you do make that stick with you are just that much more treasured!
If you are going to one and love it, I would love to know why.
I actually have almost no connection with any other singles, even most at work are, if not married, coupled-up together. (Is that a phrase? Guess it is now.. HA!) But if a group started or opened up for a singles opportunity for 30's/early 40's I'd jump into it in a heartbeat.
Thanks all for letting this first-timer make his first rambling post here! 
Have a great weekend and God bless!
|
|
|
|
|
RE: I would go to a SINGLES group/Bible study if: - 10/3/2008 11:05:19 PM
|
|
|
John_O
Posts: 8064
Joined: 9/5/2006
Status: offline
|
Hey HMU!
Welcome to the forums from another Hoosier!
_____________________________
Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: I would go to a SINGLES group/Bible study if: - 10/4/2008 6:32:51 AM
|
|
|
ebony101
Posts: 913
Joined: 4/1/2007
From: the big blue marble
Status: offline
|
Hmmm! What does Hoosier mean? Will I find it in the dictionary?
Now to answer one of the questions in the opening post.
If you are going to one and love it, I would love to know why.
All the other questions are not relevant to me. I attend a singles group and it's one of the best. I joined it to get in on the group get-togethers and to meet a few guys (blush, I shamefacedly admit this, blush)  . But it's also a Christian group and though my motive for joining it were 'not right', I benfitted a great deal spiritually and socially. We have regular meetings where we discuss a range of topics that are of general concern to us as singles - our relationship with God, work issues, life concerns etc. The group size is small (no more than 10 members, when our original group expanded to more than 10, it was split into 2 small groups) and everything that is discussed is confidential amongst group members.
We meet with the other singles groups to organize hikes, sightseeing tours or just to go to a restaurant or try something new, e.g not everyone is adventurous and would like to try parasailing, but we would all go to give those who want to try it group support and of course, someone has to take pictures of those who are having fun . So, we have a lot of good times.
For meeting purposes the guys and ladies have separate weekly meetings, which is a good thing, because I think our concerns are different because of gender.  And sometimes gender-joint meetings inhibit confidentiality and 'openness'. Anyways, we have joint meetings once in a while, and most of the aforementioned get togethers consist of members of all the single groups.
So all that I've stated before captures what I like about our singles group. A really great advantage is that it's a group of people at the same stage in life, so our experiences and concerns are the same and it's really great to know there are other people who can identify with you.
P.S. Single parents join a different group from the singles group. everyone gets together for conferences (the married couples, single men/women, divorced and separated men/women, single parents, teenagers). We've got room for everyone and we're worldwide.
< Message edited by ebony101 -- 10/4/2008 6:40:32 AM >
_____________________________
'We're writing a gospel, a chapter each day,
By the things that we do & the words that we say.'
|
|
|
|
|
RE: I would go to a SINGLES group/Bible study if: - 10/4/2008 10:33:53 AM
|
|
|
ajlewis
Posts: 226
Joined: 1/3/2006
From: State of Confusion
Status: offline
|
What would it take for you to go to a singles group?
1) If there were some people there I can really relate to and who will acknowledge my presence, remember my name, and listen to my input.
2) If the format focuses on the issues of being single in a couple's world
3) The people who put it on are single themselves
I once led a team that put on weekend retreats for singles. It was a very good group. Sometimes the discussions became so real and intense that some couldn't handle it and had to leave. Give me this anytime over "...ok, lets turn to Romans chapter..." Bible studies are a dime a dozen.
_____________________________
|
|
|
|
 New Messages |
 No New Messages |
 Hot Topic w/ New Messages |
 Hot Topic w/o New Messages |
 Locked w/ New Messages |
 Locked w/o New Messages |
|
 Post New Thread
Reply to Message
Post New Poll
Submit Vote
Delete My Own Post
Delete My Own Thread
Rate Posts |
|
|
Forum Tools
Printable Version
