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Teaching
We are hoping to put on at least 2 teaching events a year.
Why? Many people have commented at the lack of teaching in the
church on singles issues; such as the myths, celibacy, how to
choose a partner etc.
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Speakers
Ian Gregory is the author
of the best seller 'No Sex Please We're Single'
and has organised 14 successful Balls, aimed predominantly
at single Christians.
Ian spoke at our first teaching event in January 2007
in Bristol which was a massive success. We had 118 people
turn up, and some people had travelled across the country
for it. We are definitely meeting a need. See Ian
Gregory Event for further details.
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Alison Dorricott flew in from the Isle of Man
to speak to us in March 2007 in Bath. See French
Houseparty Event for further details.
Alison runs 'The French Houseparty' an annual
holiday in September, through Spring Harvest Holidays
for those "travelling alone or without children" (www.springharvestholidays.com/houseparty).
Alison was interviewed for the July 2006 issue of Christianity
magazine where she talks about her experience of being
a single Christian, which you can read here.
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On Friday 9th November we are held a Workshop
for Church Leaders at The Ark, BCF, entitled: "AWARENESS
AND ACTION - How to address the issues facing singles
in your congregation" more
details >>
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Organisations
These are either known by us or have been recommended to us
and may be of interest to you:
| Network Christians |
We have run “Personal Development” courses in the past and plan to do a Myers Briggs Workshop in Feb 2009. We also offer seminars to local churches on the topic of Christian Singleness and hope to increase this area of our service to churches. |
| Aquila Trust |
Aquila Trust exists to support people experiencing the
trauma of relationship breakdown.
They run 8 week breakthrough programmes for those recovering
from broken relationships, separation or divorce however
recently or long ago.
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| Care
for the family |
Clearly not a singles organisation! However they do run
some events and publish articles relevant to single Christians
and single
parent families in particular.
There is an online
support site which includes a couple of articles about
recovering from divorce.
They are also launching a new site aimed at people in
their 20s
and 30s which is not specifically for singles but
may be of interest.
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| Christian
Connections |
This site is "for friendship, dating and matchmaking
for likeminded Christian singles" so it's included
in our dating page. However they
are also in encouraging churches on how they might better
serve their single members since many churches don't recognise
that it is an issue for them or have little idea where
to start.
They are currently (June 2007) running a poll asking how
your church could better encourage its single members.
To cast your vote go to www.christianconnection.co.uk/philos.
From this page you can also view discussion boards, including
what your church does right or wrong for singles, but
you need to be a member to add your own views.
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| Divorce Care |
"DivorceCare is a friendly, caring group of people
who will walk alongside you through one of life’s
most difficult experiences. Don’t go through separation
or divorce alone."
Carmel Christian Centre (817A Bath Road, Brislington,
Bristol, 0117 977 5533) ran their 12 week course starting
in April 2007.
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friendsfirst
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As well as running events and holidays, friendsfirst
also run "Dating Doctor Workshop" days around
the country.
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| Harnhill |
"The Harnhill Centre exists to bring the healing
of Jesus into the lives of His broken people".
This organisation runs some events specifically geared to
singles.
The last one was on 24th March, entitled "On Your Own!"
covering different aspects of singleness and acknowledging
the consequences of the single state, including: Dealing
with grief and loss, the reality of difficulties, the truth
of God's presence, enjoying the positive |
Internet Sites
These are various sites that you might find useful:
Book Reviews
We think it would be helpful to share resources on Christian
singles' issues. One way to do this is to recommend & review
books, and other teaching material. Currently working on reviews
are Pete, Emma and Kristin. If this is something you'd like
to do, please email
us.
| 'Single and Confident' (DVD) |
Christine Caine |
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| 'The Five Love Languages for Singles' |
Gary Chapman |
Gary Chapman, with years of experience
as a counsellor, realised that people experience and express
'love' - or affection and friendship, in different ways.
This book simply goes through the 5 different 'languages'
as he percieves them and is a real eye opener to personalities
other than your own. It can open up a whole new world
of expression and explain why you relate more sucessfully
to some people but not others.
A simple, easy and effective tool in understanding how
to relate well in all relationships.
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| 'How to Get a Date Worth Keeping' |
Henry Cloud |
This book comes recommended by one of
our members.
Published by Zondervan ISBN-10:0-310-26265-8 |
| 'Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus' |
John Gray |
John, an experienced marriage counsellor,
explains his take on the male female differences. This classic
book can help you to understand how and why men and women
relate to each other differently. It helps to explain the
conflict and differences in understanding between the sexes
and is a real 'must read' if you are ever planning to marry. |
| 'No Sex Please We're Single' |
Ian Gregory |
Ian wrote this book because of
his own frustrations at being a single Christian. It is
full of emotion, energy and experience which reflects
his character. The latter part of the book also includes
objective views and practical tips and ideas. Well worth
a read.
Since writing the book Ian has matured and spoke to us
of this, and his more recent experiences, in January 2007
(See Ian Gregory Event).
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| 'The Single Issue' |
Al Hsu |
This book provides a systematic and objective
view of Christian singleness. It is an excellent and thorough
look at all the issues and is highly reccommended. |
| 'Look Before You Leap' |
J John |
Most of us have grown up with fairytales
and myths about marriage and dating. J John takes a practical
approach to redressing the balance by adding a little thought
and consideration into the mix. He gives ideas about what
questions you might want to ask yourself. For example, do
you actually want your relationship to go from something
'low level' to something more serious? Do you feel respected?
What do you like about their character? Where do you clash?
Is that important? He then writes very practically about
what the answers might mean. If you've not much in common,
you might expect trouble, but not as much as if she/he is
very critical of you, or doesn't appear to trust you or
you don't trust them or respect their opinion.
It is a quick and easy read, simply written and a good beginning
if you have never really stopped and given any thought to
what makes a relationship work well, not so well, or not
at all. |
| 'Tracing the Rainbow' |
Martinez & Hull |
A thoughtful book
dealing with loss after both bereavement and divorce |
| 'Risking Romance Again' |
David Robertson |
Some very good advice for those considering
a new relationship after divorce
- Published by Friends First. |
Further Suggested
Reading  from
the Church Leaders Workshop.
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