Singleness and marriage present theological truths that together give a fuller, more beautiful picture of the gospel.
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The percentage of married adults in America has steadily fallen since 1900, and now, approximately 40 percent of adults in the United States are single. In a culture where freedom, independence, and achievement are praised, singleness can be viewed as a desirable quality. Spontaneity, financial freedom, and “untetheredness” seem to many like living the dream.
But in the church, singleness often doesn’t enjoy such a positive reputation. Many single people feel unseen or unwelcome in the church, defined by what they lack rather than by who they are. Our country’s dramatic demographic shift makes including and valuing single people in our churches more timely and crucial than ever. But valuing singleness need not (and should not) come at the expense of valuing and promoting marriage.
