This article was recently published from one of my very favorite publications, RELEVANT Magazine. The title is, “Being Single with Intentionality.” It caught my eye because so often singles in church culture feel as weird and put out as gays and lesbians do.
I was speaking recently at Willow Creek and I brought up the aforementioned point, and the ‘singles group’ sitting together at the side of the auditorium starting cheering really, really loudly. Awkward for everyone in the audience—except for them, me and the gay folks in attendance (yes, gay people do attend Willow whether they know it or not—but they do know it) because we are the ones that really know the truth. Interesting how this works?
But the one thing that kept running through my head while reading this article was the following:
Why do singles have to be intentional in forming relationships with the dominant married culture in the church? Why do the married folks get off so easy—like it’s the singles responsibility to fit into their life, like their life is more important or more worthy, and thus, the singles need to adapt. Forget that! How about this:
You married people need to adjust and be intentional in forming relationships with the singles in your church. You seek them and be intentional about it—not the other way around. I’m tired of the majority culture making the minority culture feel like it’s somehow their fault and they need to be the one’s to change or adapt. Sneaky tricks the majority gets to utilize with power and influence.
I’m over it. I’m calling it out. And I’m not going to stand for this stuff happening anymore.
Grow a pair married couples and be the Church.
Much love.