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. Listeners will emerge better able to deal with their own loneliness and to help alleviate the loneliness of others.

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Susan Mettes 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. David Kinnaman is the coauthor of the bestselling unChristian and is the president of the Barna Group, which provides research and resources that facilitate spiritual transformation in people's lives. Since joining Barna in 1995, he has designed and analyzed nearly 500 studies for a variety of churches, nonprofits, and corporations. He lives with his wife and children in California. Nan McNamara is an AudioFile Earphones Award-winning narrator and garnered the Best Audiobook of 2016 distinction for her narration of Mister Monkey by Francine Prose. Her twenty-plus years as a professional actress on stage, television, and film translate into audiobook storytelling that AudioFile magazine calls richly observed, heartbreaking, and empowers her to smoothly shift to whatever character, time, or emotion she is portraying. Nan has narrated nearly 100 titles in numerous genres. She is also the recipient of the Los Angeles Drama Critics Award, LA Weekly Award, StageRaw Award, Robby Award, and Scenie Award for her numerous stage performances (including Wit, for which she shaved her head) and has recorded hundreds of voice-overs for radio/TV, video games, and promos. Nan's film/television work includes portraying powerhouse attorney Bonnie Pearl on Major Crimes, a recurring stint on Switched at Birth as Brenda Powers, having fun with Emmy winner Tony Hale in Not That Funny, being killed by Jamie Kennedy in the opening of Foreclosed with Marlee Matlin and Paul Sorvino, and being reunited with her two kidnapped children on Criminal Minds. Originally from St. Paul, Minnesota, Nan received her bachelor's degree in theater (cum laude). Ever the optimist, one of her lifelong dreams is for the Minnesota Vikings to reach the Super Bowl.

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