The single life

According to last year’s U.S. census, 45% of households are maintained by unmarried women or men. In our churches, single adults comprise a third or more of the typical congregation. So why is it that most churches offer very little reflection on the single life? Why is it that biases against unmarried adults remain so strong, and usually subconscious? While Scripture certainly depicts the sanctity of marriage, we are making a horrible mistake to assume that sanctity is in any way less accessible to the unmarried. The apostle Paul, for instance, speaks to some of the advantages of the single life (1 Corinthians 7:32ff.).

I’m speaking on this subject at Elmbrook Church this weekend. If anyone has any observations or convictions to share with me, leave a comment (you don’t need to leave your full name).

Here are some other statistics from the census:

53 percent are women/47 percent are men

61 percent have never been married/24 percent are divorced/15 percent are widowed

31.7 million live alone and comprise 27 percent of all households, up from 17 percent in 1970.

16.2 million are 65 and older and comprise 17 percent of all unmarried people.

There are 88 unmarried men 18 and older for every 100 unmarried women.

1 thought on “The single life”

  1. Loved the sermon Saturday, thought I would give my two cents worth. I am a 42 year old single male, with the longest relationship I have been in being only two months. While I do not particularly enjoy the single life, it has taught me some invaluable life lessons such as coping skills, maturity, and independence. Even though my life is devoid of an intimate connection with a beautiful woman, I still possess that childlike joy in my heart made possible only by GOD! Thank you and good luck with future endeavors.

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