The Loneliness Epidemic: Why So Many of Us Feel Alone—and How Leaders Can Respond

by David Kinnaman; Susan Mettes

Publisher:

Brazos Press

, 2021

Overview

What makes people lonely? And how can Christian communities better minister to the lonely? In The Loneliness Epidemic, behavioral scientist and researcher Susan Mettes explores those questions and more.
 
Guided 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.

With 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.

From the Back Cover

Cutting-Edge Research on Understanding Loneliness and Ministering to the Lonely

What makes people lonely? And how can we better minister to those who are lonely?

Guided 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.

The Loneliness Epidemic 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.

"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."
--David Kinnaman, president, Barna Group (from the foreword)

"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."
--Collin Hansen, vice president of content and editor in chief, The Gospel Coalition; host of the Gospelbound podcast

"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."
--Michelle Ami Reyes, vice president, Asian American Christian Collaborative

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Contents

Contents

Foreword by David Kinnaman
Part 1: Understanding an Epidemic
1. Lonely Americans: Studying Our Loneliness
2. What Loneliness Is: A Definition of Terms
Part 2: When Loneliness Defies Stereotypes
3. Age
4. Romance
5. Insecurity
6. Social Media
7. Faith and Churchgoing
8. Privacy
Part 3: Protecting against Loneliness
9. Belonging
10. Closeness
11. Expectations
12. Breaking the Cycle
Appendix A: What the Bible Says about Loneliness
Appendix B: Should We Look for a “Cure” for Loneliness?

Product Details

• Title: The Loneliness Epidemic: Why So Many of Us Feel Alone—and How Leaders Can Respond
• Authors: David Kinnaman, Susan Mettes
• Publisher: Brazos Press
• Print Publication Date: 2021
• Logos Release Date: 2021
• Pages: 224
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Ebook
• ISBNs: 9781493432769, 9781587434778, 1587434776, 1493432761
• Resource ID: LLS:9781493432769
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2025-06-13T16:30:44Z

About the Authors

Susan Mettes (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. She is an associate editor for Christianity Today magazine and has written dozens of articles for Christianity Today and other publications.