By Herb Reese
Niche – adj., denoting or relating to products, services, or interests that appeal to a small, specialized section of the population. “other companies in this space had to adapt to being niche players”
A few years ago I and another gentleman gave two lectures on men’s ministry to a group of students. I gave my lecture first and, as usual, it centered on using teams of men to serve the widowed and single parents. After my lecture, the next speaker got up and started by saying, “Herb’s men’s ministry is a really great niche ministry.” He then went on to talk about men’s ministry in general.
I couldn’t help but think at the time that he was perfectly reflecting the general view of the church in America: that serving widows and single parents is simply one of many equally valuable ministries in the church.
But such a view evidences a basic ignorance of Scripture. Even a cursory reading of the Book of Acts and the epistles, for example, will show that serving the needs of its widows and others was one of the most important focuses of the early church. And when the church failed to do so, it took immediate remedial action (Acts 6:1-6).
But not only is ministry to widows and single parents one of the most important ministries of the church because of the amount of Scripture that discusses it, this ministry is of the utmost importance because Scripture commands it (i.e., James 1:27).
For example, there are no commands in the Word of God for the church to have nurseries or youth ministries. These are great ministries, but they are not mandated ministries. Ministries to widows and others with long term needs, however, are mandated.
But in spite of the amount of Scripture that is devoted to the subject of widows, and in spite of the fact that serving widows and others in need is a mandated ministry, most churches minimize this ministry, if they have it at all.
Isn’t it time your church took ministry to its widows and single parents as seriously as Scripture does? As seriously as God does?
This post first appeared in NewCommandment.org.
Published: 2020-03-11.
Updated: August 31, 2026.
Teams of four men serving widows, single moms, fatherless children and others with long-term pressing needs in their churches and communities.
