A Must for Every Minister and Church Leader

Ruth Buchanan's newest release offers unique insight into a growing adult population.

THE PROPER CARE AND FEEDING OF SINGLES offers:

• Eye-opening peek into the unique trials of the single life.
• Insight for the needs of singles in a variety of life situations.
• Documentation and personal quotes from church-going singles.

Every week across America, single members filter into their local congregations to worship, minister, and serve alongside their brothers and sisters in Christ. Although a minority in most congregations, singles nevertheless compose a significant cross-section of the church body. Each blessed and challenged with individual circumstances, Christian singles not only bear a unique burden but also offer diverse perspectives on the Christian life.

Unfortunately, many Christian singles attest to feeling overlooked. Pastors and church leaders, many long married, often find themselves ill-equipped to understand the particular relational, emotional, and spiritual needs of long-term Christian singles. Worse, they’re unaware that they’re underequipped. Married church members, though sympathetic to the needs of their single friends, nevertheless struggle to bridge the divide.

Written by a dedicated Christ-follower and long-term Christian single, The Proper Care and Feeding of Singles addresses the issues with humor and grace, offering practical solutions to strengthen the bonds of love and fellowship within local congregations.

About the Author:


Ruth Buchanan is a Christian freelance writer who holds degrees in ministry and theology. After years of classroom teaching in the United States and overseas, she left education to pursue creative endeavors. She currently produces fiction, non-fiction, dramas, and a regular succession of fussy little to-do lists. She’s an eager reader, an enthusiastic traveler, and the world’s most reluctant runner. Ruth loves Jesus, coffee, family, church, and friends. She lives and works in South Florida, but she’s often wandering the world in search of the perfect cup of coffee. Keep your eyes peeled, and you just might spot her. Barring that, you can always find her on Twitter: @Ruthette or on
her blog: ruthette.blogspot.com/

Got Hope?

I have a friend whose parent is going through some memory issues. I've actually known several folks who have dealt with their aging parents recently. Such an emotional and traumatic time.

My friend mentioned that her father had always said, "Life's hard, and then you die." He would laugh about it, make a joke. But as he's aged, she sees the bitterness he's always held.

That statement, made in jest, was his true outlook on life, and now that his filters are failing, his lifelong despair shows.

She has recently changed the statement: "Life is good, and then you get to go see Jesus!"

I guess it has more to do with what's on the inside than the circumstances of life. My friend's father worked hard, but played hard, laughed harder, and has an extensive legacy of children, grandchildren, and friends who love him dearly.

My friend's life is similar, with both blessings and difficulties. But while her father called life hard, she calls it good.

It's all in how you look at it. How you daily see life. If you focus in on all the bad, then life is going to be hard. If you search for the blessings, you'll find them.

Our God is in the details of life. He's there, crafting the circumstances to help you see Him and know that He is near. He's close during the storms, wanting to hold you through your fear and distress. He's also nearby during the celebrations, hoping you'll delight in His blessings and witness that they are from Him.

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

About the Author

Marji Laine is the executive editor and director of Write Integrity Press. She also writes romantic suspense, mystery, and romance novels. Her stories are full of broken characters carried through extreme circumstances by their growing faith in the Lord. Full of hope and sincerity, Marji writes to encourage believers to remain strong in their daily faith to prepare for difficult times.

In her spare time, she directs a children's choir, sings alto in her church choir, and works with high school students on Sunday mornings. She also leads a high school/college Bible study and enjoys family game-night and watching Hallmark movies.