YPT Podcast 63: Ministry to Single-Parent Families (Anna Meade Harris)
Partnering with parents is an essential part of biblical youth ministry. But "family ministry" can sometimes assume a certain type of family - namely, mom and dad with kids living independently. But 1/3 of kids in America today are living in a single-parent household. In this episode, we'll hear from Anna Meade Harris about her new book, "God’s Grace for Every Family: Biblical Encouragement for Single Parent Families and the Churches That Seek to Love Them Well."
Discussion Includes:
Could you share about your own family experience and how that led to your new book?
What are the different reasons for single-parent households and how does that affect the way they engage with the church?
Your book reads, “thirty percent of families in the US are led by a single parent. Nearly nineteen million children have one parent in the home. Although roughly thirty verses in the Bible declare how God wants his church to treat widows and the fatherless, by and large the church does not know what to do with families like mine.” (p.15) Why do you think that’s the case, and what’s that mean for youth workers who are listening to this conversation?
Here’s another quote that really hits home, “Although the majority of custodial single parents are moms, single parenting is not a women’s issue, it’s a family of God issue.” (p22) Could you share a few examples of what it looks like for a church to come together and be the family of God?
What recommendations do you have for ministry to teenagers of single-parent households?
Are there any good resources you’d recommend on ministry to single-parent families?
Anna Meade Harris is the Senior Director of Content for the Rooted Ministry and the mom of three adult sons. God’s Grace for Every Family: Biblical Encouragement for Single Parent Families and the Churches That Seek to Love Them Well, releasing March 2024 through Zondervan.
Recommendations
Mike McGarry, Lead Them to Jesus: A Handbook for Youth Workers (ch.37, “Supporting Single-Parent Families”)
Blaire Linne, Finding My Father: How the Gospel Heals the Pain of Fatherlessness
Henri Nouwen, The Wounded Healer
Claressa Moll, Beyond the Darkness: A Gentle Guide for Living with Grief and Thriving after Loss
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YPT's ebook, Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry, is a free download for subscribers. This book captures the essence of Youth Pastor Theologian in one ten-chapter book, written by six different contributors from across America, Mexico, and the UK.
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