Unhitched, but Not Alone: The Experiences of Single Individuals in the Protestant Church

A simultaneous decline in Millennials’ church attendance and an increase of never married adults may be related to how they view the church. The Millennials who stay in the church view church as a place to learn but not to socialize. Conversely, there is an increasing trend of loneliness in young adults further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The loneliest individuals during COVID-19 were the ones who lived alone, likely due to stay-at-home orders. Young and middle-aged adults find other places to socialize, as evidenced by this qualitative study of seven single adults in the Protestant church. Themes of feeling excluded by a larger church body meant for families, Biblical teachings aimed at marriage, and ways participants experience God shaped their experiences within the church. Social workers may benefit from exploring these themes with their clients and being aware of both the helpful and hurtful sides of Protestant congregations.

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Amanda McKinley, MSW, LCSW is a PhD student at the IU school of social work. She has worked as a therapist for over 15 years in a variety of settings. She strives to integrate the practical knowledge from the field into the classroom, currently helping bachelor-level students in practice courses prepare to enter the field. She researches how loneliness impacts whole-person health.