{"product_id":"the-loneliness-epidemic-why-so-many-of-us-feel-alone-and-how-leaders-can-respond-hardcover","title":"The Loneliness Epidemic: Why So Many of Us Feel Alone--And How Leaders Can Respond - Hardcover","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eSusan Mettes\u003c\/b\u003e (Author), \u003cb\u003eDavid Kinnaman\u003c\/b\u003e (Foreword by)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhat makes people lonely? And how can Christian communities better minister to the lonely? In \u003ci\u003eThe Loneliness Epidemic\u003c\/i\u003e, behavioral scientist and researcher Susan Mettes explores those questions and more.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eGuided by current research from Barna Group, Mettes illustrates the profound physical, emotional, and social toll of loneliness in the United States. Surprisingly, her research shows that it is not the oldest Americans but the youngest adults who are loneliest and that social media can actually play a positive role in alleviating loneliness. Mettes highlights the role that belonging, friendship, closeness, and expectations play in preventing it. She also offers meaningful ways the church can minister to lonely people, going far beyond simplistic solutions--like helping them meet new people--to addressing their inner lives and the God who understands them.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWith practical and highly applicable tips, this book is an invaluable tool for anyone--ministry leaders, parents, friends--trying to help someone who feels alone. Readers will emerge better able to deal with their own loneliness and to help alleviate the loneliness of others. Foreword by Barna Group president David Kinnaman.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eFront Jacket\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn \u003ci\u003eThe Loneliness Epidemic\u003c\/i\u003e, Susan Mettes offers insight into why people experience acute loneliness and what Christian communities and leaders can offer in response. With practical and highly applicable tips, this book is an invaluable tool for anyone who feels lonely or who wants to help someone who feels alone.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\"This is an important book for so many reasons. Susan Mettes and Barna Group are to be commended for their myth-busting, data-driven analysis of loneliness. As a scholar-pastor who has spent much of his life studying--and trying to cultivate--Christian community, I found my assumptions about loneliness challenged at many points. But I also found much hope in the book's thoughtful suggestions for ways we can alleviate the sense of aloneness and isolation experienced by Christians and non-Christians alike.\"\u003cbr\u003e--\u003cb\u003eJoseph H. Hellerman\u003c\/b\u003e, author of \u003ci\u003eWhen the Church Was a Family \u003c\/i\u003eand \u003ci\u003eWhy We Need the Church to Become More Like Jesus\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"As a single woman and a recent empty nester, I was eager to understand more about feelings of loneliness that I've been slow to acknowledge. The thorough research and insights Mettes offers, as well as a solid theological foundation, helped me to wrap my mind around the roots and remedies for the loneliness that is rampant in our culture. I highly recommend this book both for those who feel the sting of loneliness and for the ones who love us.\"\u003cbr\u003e--\u003cb\u003eMargot Starbuck\u003c\/b\u003e, author of \u003ci\u003eThe Grown Woman's Guide to Online Dating\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eBack Jacket\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCutting-Edge Research on Understanding Loneliness and Ministering to the Lonely\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eWhat makes people lonely? And how can we better minister to those who are lonely?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGuided by current research from Barna Group, behavioral scientist Susan Mettes illustrates the profound physical, emotional, and social toll of loneliness in the United States. Surprisingly, her research shows that it's not the oldest Americans but the youngest adults who are loneliest and that social media can actually play a positive role in alleviating loneliness.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Loneliness Epidemic\u003c\/i\u003e highlights the role that belonging, friendship, closeness, and expectations play in preventing loneliness. It also offers meaningful ways the church can minister to lonely people, going far beyond simplistic solutions--like helping them meet new people--to addressing their inner lives and the God who understands them.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"If you're experiencing loneliness or know someone who is . . . you should know what ideas are circulating about the crush of loneliness and the buffering of healthy relationships. Susan helps us to close these gaps.\"\u003cbr\u003e--\u003cb\u003eDavid Kinnaman\u003c\/b\u003e, president, Barna Group (from the foreword)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"If you're not aware we face a loneliness epidemic, you will be fully informed by the end of this stats-packed book. But Mettes doesn't just highlight the problem; she also busts myths and offers a host of practical ways that leaders can help build communities of belonging. I'm eager to put these tips into practice.\"\u003cbr\u003e--\u003cb\u003eCollin Hansen\u003c\/b\u003e, vice president of content and editor in chief, The Gospel Coalition; host of the \u003ci\u003eGospelbound\u003c\/i\u003e podcast\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"I've never read a book that so eloquently elucidates the landscape of loneliness. Susan Mettes's analysis of our loneliness pandemic is as thought-provoking as it is practical. You will come away from this book feeling inspired and equipped to help transform loneliness into belonging.\"\u003cbr\u003e--\u003cb\u003eMichelle Ami Reyes\u003c\/b\u003e, vice president, Asian American Christian Collaborative\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSusan Mettes\u003c\/b\u003e (MA, Duke University) is a behavioral scientist with extensive prior experience conducting research for faith-based organizations, including Barna Group, Thrivent Financial, and World Vision. Previously, she served as an editor for \u003ci\u003eChristianity Today\u003c\/i\u003e magazine. She also has written dozens of articles for \u003ci\u003eChristianity Today\u003c\/i\u003e and other publications. Mettes currently lives in Tanzania.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 224\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1 x 8.7 x 5.8 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIllustrated:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e November 30, 2021\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51767821730080,"sku":"9781587434778","price":22.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0974\/9764\/5344\/files\/65770bb1070a0c57637bd4dd39087cf3.webp?v=1780318044","url":"https:\/\/ebocreations.com\/products\/the-loneliness-epidemic-why-so-many-of-us-feel-alone-and-how-leaders-can-respond-hardcover","provider":"The E-Book Oasis LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}