First of all, I'm a believer in Jesus Christ and I can't stomach the institutional church (or many house churches for that matter.) But I follow Him and cling to Him and bear His correction when I don't, gratefully. This is just to let you know who I am for what I'm about to say.

So anyway, I just can't stand this "wait on the Lord and He's the only one who can help you find a mate" mentality that many christians represent towards singles of marriageable age in their fellowships. While it is VERY TRUE that ULTIMATELY the LORD is the only one that can bring any of us the right one, I think saying to a brother or sister who is voicing their desire for a mate, "just wait on the Lord" is the very same thing as saying to a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, "Well, I'll pray for you."

LISTEN SAINTS: YOU ARE THE HANDS AND FEET OF THE LORD ON THIS EARTH. There is a responsiblity of the believing community to rebuke, admonish, teach, and love each other in the Lord. There is a responsiblity of the believing community to be mothers and fathers to the fatherless, sisters and brothers to the lonely, and to support and strengthen each other in body, soul and spirit. Too often the church acts like spiritual encouragement, "wait on the Lord, He'll bring you someone" is the only responsibility they have.

Hey, for centuries upon centuries it was PARENTS that would play an instrumental role in bring two people together. Many today don't have parents to do this for them..will the church be fathers to the fatherless and perform this role? Where are the Naomi's who will guide the Ruth's? Where are the Abrahams who will send their servants to find people for their Isaacs?

I'm Jewish and I can tell you the Jewish community has no scruples about helping their own find suitable matches like the christian community does. There's no hyper spiritual mumbo jumbo about "well, God will bring you someone." There is only a community assessment of whether or not it is the right time for you to get married and who would be best suited for each other. Then they help you connect to that person!

Don't turn a deaf ear to the singles in your house church. Take it upon yourself to network with other housechurches and other singles and help bring these people together, prayerfully, before the Lord, submitting all things to Him always. God doesn't expect us to passively sit around waiting for him to bring us all mates, He expects us to pray and ask and consider how to best serve Him and help each other serve Him..if you know someone can better serve Him with a mate, be a blessing to that end and help find one!!!!