Single Friendly Church Network hosts inaugural 'Belonging' conference

The Single Friendly Church Network recently held its inaugural 'Belonging' conference to launch Single Friendly Church Week. The event aimed to encourage a cultural shift within congregations, urging church leaders to ensure that single Christians feel fully valued and integrated into church life regardless of their relationship status.

Executive director Sorcha Connell argued that the challenges faced by single congregants are primarily relational rather than doctrinal. She cautioned against viewing faith as a ladder defined by relationship milestones, suggesting instead that the church should function as a table where everyone feels included. Connell noted that singleness covers a diverse range of experiences, including those who are divorced, widowed, single parents, or married to non-believers.

Citing 2026 research from the network, Connell emphasized that over 95 percent of single Christians consider Christian friendship to be of critical importance. The conference addressed concerns that many churches focus heavily on traditional family structures, often overlooking the social and emotional needs of those living alone, a demographic that includes approximately 8.6 million people in the UK.