The Practical Guide for Ministering to Single Adults | An Interview with Logan Steele and Ally Skinner

Ally Skinner and Logan Steele, the creators of The Single Adult Podcast, explore the experiences of single adults within the Latter-day Saint community. They discuss the complexities of being single in a marriage-focused culture and emphasize the importance of understanding and supporting single members.

Allyson Skinner is an office manager, sewing instructor, and alterations specialist. A convert who joined the Church as a youth, Ally has navigated much of her adult life—and raised two children—as a single parent. Drawing from her lived experiences through marriage, divorce, and years on her own, she brings deep empathy, honesty, and warmth to ministering to those sitting alone at church.

Logan Steele was raised in Glendale, Arizona, and his professional journey began in New York on the Late Show with David Letterman, followed by producing major television staples including Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and The Apprentice. Today, he manages broadcasts for the Church Priesthood and Family Department and oversees the Scriptures video series. On The Single Adult Podcast, Logan focuses on bridging the gap between Church leadership and single members, emphasizing meaningful service stewardships and individual covenant-keeping over marital status.

Links

The Single Adult Podcast
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Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community

Highlights

00:04:18 – The Origin of the Podcast Idea
00:05:44 – Goals and Focus of the Podcast
00:06:44 – The Importance of Understanding Single Adults
00:08:44 – Labels and Their Impact on Single Adults
00:10:04 – The Role of Wards and Activities
00:12:01 – The Need for Inclusivity in Callings
00:13:11 – Personal Experiences of Being Single
00:16:22 – Individual Stories of Allie and Logan
00:18:16 – The Concept of Being Alone
00:20:26 – The Importance of Inclusion in Church
00:22:09 – Finding Purpose as a Single Adult
00:24:02 – The Role of Leaders in Supporting Singles
00:26:48 – Navigating Offense and Understanding
00:29:05 – The Importance of Hope in the Gospel
00:31:30 – Trusting God’s Timing
00:33:04 – Broadening Perspectives on Single Adults
00:35:17 – The Need for Open Conversations
00:37:18 – The Role of the Gospel for All
00:39:06 – The Importance of Individual Journeys
00:41:18 – The Growing Momentum for Single Adult Issues

Key Insights

• Diverse Experiences: The podcast aims to address the varied experiences of single adults, acknowledging that many members of the church are single due to various circumstances, including divorce, widowhood, or never marrying.
• Hope and Purpose: Allie and Logan emphasize finding hope and purpose in the gospel, regardless of marital status. They encourage listeners to focus on personal discipleship and the importance of maintaining a relationship with Jesus Christ.
• Community Engagement: The hosts highlight the need for single adults to feel included in church activities and leadership roles, stressing that many callings do not require marriage.
• Avoiding Assumptions: Leaders should avoid making assumptions about single adults’ needs and experiences. Open communication and asking questions can foster understanding and support.
• Navigating Loneliness: The discussion touches on the feelings of loneliness that can accompany being single, with Allie sharing her proactive approach to include others and create connections within the church community.

Leadership Applications

• Inclusive Callings: Leaders should consider calling single adults to various leadership positions, as most church roles do not require marriage. This inclusion can empower single members and enrich the congregation.
• Fostering Dialogue: Leaders can create opportunities for open discussions about the experiences of single adults, helping to bridge gaps in understanding and support within the ward.
• Encouraging Personal Growth: Leaders should encourage single members to focus on their personal spiritual journeys and contributions to the church, reinforcing that their worth and potential are not defined by marital status.

The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.

Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.

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