Presenting the Idea for a Single Moms Ministry in Your Church

Presenting the idea of launching a new single moms' support group in your church can be quite intimidating, especially if you are not on staff. The Life of a Single Mom Ministries has done more than seven years of research on effective single moms' program in churches. Here are a few tips to presenting the idea to your pastor:

1. Be prepared. Pastors and ministry leaders are super-busy, being pulled in a variety of directions every day. Be sure you have done your research on the statistics of single moms in your area, ministry ideas, costs, etc. This will not only save time, but will also let your leadership team know how dedicated you are. An appropriate presentation should include your personal story of why you have a heart for single moms, statistics on why single moms' ministries are important, Biblical reference to why ministry to single mothers needs to exists, and a template on how to get one started. This is why we've removed the guess work and created The Church and the Single Mom book. This book will also highlight letters from single mothers throughout the United States and their perceptions of the local church. Pick up a copy before you meet with your pastor!

2. Have a plan. When will you start the ministry? Who will help you? Who will handle childcare? Will meals be available for the women and children? What curriculum and subject matter will you teach the single moms? Date? Times? Frequency? Location? Budget? Consider every part of the single moms' ministry and what the details will be. (As info, The Church and the Single Mom book details a logistical plan and dedicates a chapter to ways to launch the group). For more information on recruiting volunteers, planning a single moms' event, and more.

3. Speak from a place of hope, not accusation. Far too often, single moms who have a great desire to minister to other single moms and launch a ministry, event, or support group speak about church leadership from a place of judgment or hurt versus hope and encouragement. For example, it is better to avoid such statements as, "When I was going through my divorce, I really didn't feel like you guys were there for me. That's why I want to start this ministry." It is far better to say, "During my divorce, church was vital to my healing. I think there are many other single moms who could benefit from having a place to connect."

4. Consider the costs. Do you have time to lead a single moms support group in your church? Have you recruited volunteers to help? Will it cost the church money or resources for childcare, food, and curriculum? Are you spiritually healthy enough to lead others? Are their old wounds, hurt, or relationships that need to be forgiven that could hinder you on the path of drawing closer to the Lord? These are all real "costs" related to launching a single mom's ministry. You better believe when you step out in faith to honor the Lord, the enemy of your soul is not happy. Be prepared to fight against the Kingdom of Darkness.

6. Accept that you may not be the best leader of the group. This is a hard one, we know, but it must be said. You may be passionate about your own journey and how hard it was and how God walked you through it, but be prayerful about who God wants to lead the ministry. It may very well be you, but it may not. It could be that the pastors love the idea of launching a program, but are hesitant to put you in charge, because you haven't established trust with your leadership team, yet. Or maybe they simply don't know enough about you, yet, or perhaps you haven't not undergone complete healing from your own pain. Keep focused on the main thing, which is ministering to single moms, and accept that your time will come, if God wants you in that position, but willingly able to attend and support another leader, should your pastors decide someone else fits the position better in this season.

7. Resource yourself. The more books, research, articles, websites, and first-hand experience you bring to the table, the better your meeting and future ministry will go. Unstuck Ministries offers a large array of training and curriculum to trouble-shoot, strategize, and assist in building a strong infrastructure for your single moms' group.

8. Pray. Pray. Pray. Be patient and wait on God to move. It may not be tomorrow or next week. (In fact, our founder had to wait an entire year for a yes!) Some pastors love the idea and jump right in. Others take time. Stay committed to praying and waiting. Stay faithful to your journey. Grow while you wait. Pray for your pastoral team, single moms you know, and single moms you don't yet know. Allow God to do what is that He does. Allow Him to move the hearts of the pastors in your community for this necessary and life-changing ministry.

Share This Article:

Recent Posts

Learning How to Pray

Unstuck Ministries has now served over one million single mothers over the last two decades, and we have covered so much through the years in articles, podcasts, videos, eBooks, etc., including grief & trauma, parenting, forgiveness, bitterness, spiritual growth, money management, and so much more. We’ve covered ALL….THE….THINGS! But the topic we’re covering today is the catalyst to it all. Prayer. It is prayer that shifts things. It is prayer that promotes our intimacy with the Lord. It is through prayer that the Lord often teaches us. Sadly, too many Believers in Christ have a weak prayer life. How can you be in relationship with the Lord and not ever talk to Him? This must change. Many Believers often struggle in prayer, because they were

October 5, 2026

Cover photo for article "What To Do When Your Child Is Hurting" by Unstuck Ministries' Featured Expert, Jennifer Maggio.

What To Do When Your Child Is Hurting by Jennifer Maggio

I was 14 years old when a dear friend’s father left her mother. She was devastated. The fighting had gone on for months. It had been tense at home, but she never imagined her parents would actually split. We stayed up and cried together many nights in those first weeks and months. We mourned the loss of the family that would never live in the same home again. We mourned what once was and what could now never be. I listened as she shared her pain and fears of what would eventually happen and how life would never be the same. Her pain became my pain. I just wanted to help her heal, and mostly, I just felt helpless. My mother died when I was

September 21, 2026

Take the Lead by Denise Adcock

I am an avid hiker and lover of the outdoors. When I’m not hiking, I spend my time biking, kayaking, or walking. Being in God’s beautiful creation brings me joy! As a single mom, I shared my love of nature with both of my children. All three of us had bikes, so several times a week we’d ride from our house to a nearby park and hit the trails. When I look back on this today, those trail rides were some of the best experiences we had together as a single-parent family. It helped us let go of our burdens and refocus on what mattered most, our precious family. Being a mom requires courage and leadership. John Maxwell says, “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the

September 7, 2026

Unstuck Ministries is a national faith-based nonprofit that exists to see bound women become free – free to parent well, free to manage their money effectively, and free in their spiritual and mental health. With over 1,000,000 women served, we offer a variety of programs and services that bring hope in Christ as the foundation to women everywhere, focusing in 3 key areas: Parenting, Finances, and Mental & Spiritual Wellness. While Unstuck Ministries exists to see women in all walks of life become free, the ministry is also the nation’s largest provider of Christian single mom curriculum. This includes launching thousands of single moms’ support groups in churches, offering life skills through Single Mom University®, and providing ministry leadership training & support. But we don’t stop there! We also host awe-inspiring women’s events and provide a variety of other support services to ensure all women remain unstuck, including videos, podcasts, articles, in-person events, webinars, books, and so much more.