Talking about Singleness

One of the main sessions offered a look at the gift of singleness. Wayne "Coach" Gordon led a panel discussion with Elizabeth Perkins, Shane Claiborne and others.

I thought that Shane had some profound things to say...always in the sincere and humble tone that he speaks with.

We need to cease from making single men and women in the church feel as if there is something wrong with them if they do not have a mate. Each person in Christ is valuable and whole in Christ alone.

"We need to celebrate marriage and singleness in the church."

"We don't need sex; we need love."

"No one would look at Mother Teresa and say, 'Too bad she didn't find her man.'"

"We need a single mindedness and a singular focus on Jesus first."

"We need healthy models of families and singles in urban ministry, and if we don't have both, then we do a great injustice in urban ministry, where many men and women never get married today."

Lastly, Shane, who confessed that he actually dating someone currently and evaluates God's call to singleness in stages of life, said "I don't think I have the "divine gift" of celibacy, I have some serious libido."