Non-Christians will wonder why I seem to be putting you down in this article, but the truth is that I'm writing this for committed Christians, not those who have nothing to do with God or the Church.
So, I am going to ask the question, "Why are single Christians increasingly turning to non-Christians to seek relationships?" I will also deal with the consequences for the Christians themselves and the wider Church. Finally, I will ask what can be done from an individual perspective and what we can do for each other.
If you have been a single Christian for any length of time, you will know how hard it is (at times) to find suitable marriage partners. There are many reasons for this, not least that there are more women than men in the Church. This unhealthy balance leads to a feminization of Christian things when looked at from a male point of view.
Many men consider Christianity not to be the most masculine of religions, and the Church has its fair share of men dressed in long robes and not enough male role models. Make Church life for Christian men more masculine and active, and you will attract more men into the Church.
So with not enough men coming into the Church and the more masculine men being put off the Church, your average single Christian woman's choice is narrowed considerably. So what is she to do? Prayer is a good start, but without action, it is faith "without works," and faith "without works" doesn't work! So what next? This is where the natural tendency is to get discouraged and start looking outside the Church. This is the chief reason single Christians are going out into the non-Christian world looking for relationships. The result is that they are getting pregnant and marrying un-suitable people who don't share their faith or values. So long-term, this is the cause of many people leaving the Church.
So what can be done about this? My first response is to recommend that they start where they are in their Church and try to get to know everyone they don't yet know. After this, a broader body of local Churches may visit from time to time. Start to network with other people from these Churches who are in the same situation. Organize events, ring each other up, and encourage one another.
Finally, the Internet has enabled many to meet suitable people they would not have otherwise met. Please don't dismiss it. With faith and persistence, it really can work. Don't give up too quickly. Many people expect instant results with the Internet, and this is unrealistic. So take your time and get friends to support your activities prayerfully.
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