Hey all, looking for some helpful brotherly advice.
I am 23 years old, and a pastoral intern at a fairly large church. I am single, and desirous to pursue marriage, however, I have found doing so while in pastoral ministry somewhat difficult. I do not believe it is wise to pursue a relationship with a woman at my church since I am on the pastoral team, and it is hard to regularly engage with other Christian communities, since I am quite busy between school and church work.
I'm looking for some advice on how to pursue marriage while in my situation. Is it appropriate/wise for someone in pastoral ministry to use a Christian dating app? Has someone in my situation before dated within his own church, and if so, how did that pan out? How should one go about pastoral ministry while single?
I expect to enter into full-time pastoral ministry in the near future, and I am worried to do this as a single man, as single pastors are a rarity and are often looked upon with suspicion or judgment (in my experience). Is this the case in your experiences? I've also found that many girls aren't interested in dating pastors - permanently being in your church's public eye, enduring poor finances, and having an overworked spouse aren't appealing to most. Sorry if I sound a bit doom and gloom! But this has been a discouraging season.
Any advice you have is appreciated, and if anyone has entered into pastoral ministry while single and then married later on, I'd love to hear your testimony.
Thanks all and God bless!
I am 23 years old, and a pastoral intern at a fairly large church. I am single, and desirous to pursue marriage, however, I have found doing so while in pastoral ministry somewhat difficult. I do not believe it is wise to pursue a relationship with a woman at my church since I am on the pastoral team, and it is hard to regularly engage with other Christian communities, since I am quite busy between school and church work.
I'm looking for some advice on how to pursue marriage while in my situation. Is it appropriate/wise for someone in pastoral ministry to use a Christian dating app? Has someone in my situation before dated within his own church, and if so, how did that pan out? How should one go about pastoral ministry while single?
I expect to enter into full-time pastoral ministry in the near future, and I am worried to do this as a single man, as single pastors are a rarity and are often looked upon with suspicion or judgment (in my experience). Is this the case in your experiences? I've also found that many girls aren't interested in dating pastors - permanently being in your church's public eye, enduring poor finances, and having an overworked spouse aren't appealing to most. Sorry if I sound a bit doom and gloom! But this has been a discouraging season.
Any advice you have is appreciated, and if anyone has entered into pastoral ministry while single and then married later on, I'd love to hear your testimony.
Thanks all and God bless!