Ministering Well to Single Mothers
I that single mother you are familiar with- the one who sits in the back of the church with her children and tries to sneak out quietly. If you or another ministry leader, caught me and asked how I was doing, I would have given a well-rehearsed smile and told you I was “fine.” You would have believed me.
But I wasn’t fine. I was exhausted. Spiritually famished. Vulnerable, hurt, and afraid. Alone. But not wanting to be seen as a burden, I hid these emotions just under the surface.
When ministering to single mothers, it is crucial to consider her as among “the least of these”, as defined by Jesus in Matthew 25:35-45. The term “least of these” does not imply lack of worth or importance. Rather, Jesus used the term to identify those who were vulnerable, marginalized, and most in need.
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat…” Whether she realizes it yet, the single mother hungers for the truth found in the Word of God. Teach her the Word of God, that she might find both comfort in its truth and a powerful weapon with which to fight the enemy of her soul.
“When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight.”
-Jeremiah 15:16.
“I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink…” Like the woman at the well in John 4, single mothers thirst for the Living Water found in Jesus. Teach single mothers about the love and salvation of Jesus. Demonstrate His character and love toward hurting women (John 4, Luke 7:36-50, John 8:1-11).
“Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.
Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
-John 4:14.
“I was a stranger and you invited me in…” Single mothers often feel excluded and alone, especially in church. God created us to be relational beings. Even God Himself is inextricably connected with His Son and Spirit. Consider various ways to connect the single mother and her children to the family of God. Give them a place at the table.
“The LORD God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone.’”
-Genesis 2:18.
“I needed clothes and you clothed me…” The single mother and her children have tangible needs. Care for them with actions, as well as words. Be familiar with church and community resources that may be available to her.
“Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.
If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,”
but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?”
-James 2:17
“I was sick and you looked after me…” Many single mothers enter the church as the walking wounded.
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
-Psalm 147:3
“I was in prison and you came to visit me.” The single mother may feel imprisoned by pain, poverty, or loneliness. Meet her in her place of bondage and give her tools to break free from the “ties that bind.”
“Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.”
-Hebrews 13:3
Final thoughts: Caring for single mothers blesses not only the mother and her children, but the church as well. She has God-given gifts and abilities the church needs. Once she realizes she has a seat at the table as a valuable member of the family, she will offer those gifts from a deep place of empathy, joy, and compassion. I serve with passion today because a ministry leader pressed beyond my fabricated smile and asked, “No, how are you really?”
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”
-Matthew 25:40
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To learn more about how to serve single mothers, check out my free bible study, “Developing Community Among Single Mothers” and resources for “The Unseen Companion- God with the Single Mother.”
Your Story:
What are the greatest needs of single mothers today? How can the church come alongside? Single mothers, what is one thing you wish the church knew or did?
Use these questions for personal reflection or comment publicly below. To send a private message, click HERE.
