So Catholics want you to not be married and Protestants want you to be married?
I am a single 50 year old male and have been divorced for 20 years. My ex had an affair and it ended in divorce. Unfortunately, I feel very uncomfortable going to church as a single man my age. I am a Christian and, unfortunately, I am not attending church right now. I sort of feel dysfunctional not being married and having the average 2.2 kids.
The marriage thing is sort of funny. Peter is considered by Catholics to be their first pope. Peter was married but they don’t allow their priest to be married. If it was okay with Jesus, I believe it should be okay with the Catholic church. Unfortunately, doctrine created by men and what is Biblical is oftened blurred.
I can understand concerns some folks would have about a single pastor. Every church has families that have marital issues. A lot of the married men may feel uncomfortable with their wives meeting a single man. That’s not me but just a reality. I know the Rev. Billy Graham went to great lengths not to be put in uncomfortable predicaments with women.
I feel the need for a good church too and I don’t think I’d have any issues with you being my pastor.
I really do hope you find a church that is great for you.
There are Biblically sound churches with successful singles ministries of long standing. Off the top of my head, the Vineyard Church. They may or may not be your theological cup of tea, they lean somewhat Pentecostal. But, they’re out there. Give it a look. No need to soldier on without fellowship because you’re single.
“A lot of the married men may feel uncomfortable with their wives meeting a single man.”
That could be avoided by having a female staff member present when the pastor counsels women, or only having women counseling other women.
“Peter was married but they don’t allow their priest to be married.”
Catholics, Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox never have allowed priests to marry, but according to their sundry disciplines allow married men to become priests, just like Peter. There are many married men in the non-latin rites of the Catholic Church, and some exeptions in the latin rite, the Anglican clergy who become Catholic clergy being one example.
Freegards
I can fully empathize with you.. I'm a single woman; been divorced for 30 years and never remarried (by choice I might add) but the members of my church, including the pastor, treat me as some kind of pariah or that something is very wrong with me. It is infuriating actually. I've seen infidelity in the church; the wives airing all their dirty laundry about their 'cheating' husbands in front of the whole church (talk about dysfunction) and yet, I'm eyed with suspicion or disdain. It's extremely uncomfortable and like you, I no longer attend. I don't know what the answer is and really not sure there is one given the fact that we are human. I wish you luck. For now though, in my own life, I will stay at home and read His Word and stay in prayer.