May 5, 1999

Overcome worry
& practice acceptance, singles told
___HOUSTON--For a generation plagued by anxiety, worry and stress, seminar leader Joe Giaritelli offered a systematic approach to finding peace.
___Giaritelli, associate pastor at Lake Arlington Baptist Church in Arlington, led a session on "Y2Pray" at the 27th annual Texas Single Adult Conference in Houston.
___Christians should not worry, because to do so is contrary to God's commands, it hurts believers physically and emotionally and it damages their testimony, he said.
___"Worry takes all our energy. This makes us unable to focus on him, his work and his people," Giaritelli said. "When you worry, you lead others to question your faith. Worry slanders God's name. You are saying to the world, 'My God isn't sufficient.'"
___God promises peace, but the promise is conditional on faith, he said.
___Giaritelli offered a three-fold remedy for worry:
___ Pray with adoration. "Thank God for what he has done. This changes your focus and your attitude."
___ Express your needs to God.
___ Pray with thanksgiving. "Trust him. The word does not say, 'Trust in the Lord with half of your heart. Take some Rolaids and all these things will be added unto you.'"
___The desire of single adults to "connect" with others in a period of continuing relationship instability is just one of the trends that churches must recognize as they seek to do single adult ministry in the new millennium.
___That was one observation of David Huebner, former adult minister at Westbury Baptist Church and new pastor of The Bridge Community Church in Houston. Huebner led a seminar on "Dancing with Tomorrow" at the conference.
___Since 1970, it is eight times more common for people over age 18 to live with partners before marriage, Huebner noted. "This is increasing the number of marriage partners and increasing instability in relationships."
___At the same time, due largely to fear of AIDS, single adults are seeking "safer" ways to connect with other people, such as ballroom and swing dancing, he noted.
___Huebner offered three ways for churches to respond to the developing trends:
___ Don't live in denial. "Practice acceptance as a means of reversing negative cycles," he said. "Churches can offer after-school programs, divorce recovery groups and plant members throughout the city to offer support."
___ Avoid withdrawing from the world. Instead, the church should continue to welcome people.
___ Get ahead of the wave. "To achieve great things, the church has got to define the future," he said. "It's time to set priorities and return to spiritual reformation."

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