It may just be time for a small rant. In my search for a relationship I have tried Internet dating. I'm on a break at the moment as the struggle with the lack of spontaneity and banter depresses me too much!
One thing did occur to me as I was thinking about the difficulties with dating in cyberspace - what did we do before the Internet? In churches there is now an expectation that dating websites will provide singles with all the opportunities required to find a relationship, for those that have been on their own for years on end, the success stories are cited as a reason to join the websites and 'get out there'. Now, I am not denying that there are a multitude of success stories and that trying as many different solutions is necessary, it won't just fall in your lap.
However - my question is - where is the community in this approach? The emphasis is all on the single person to find the relationship in their own strength and everyone will celebrate with them when they reach their desired goal. But it isn't that straightforward. Managing to get a date via Internet dating is labour intensive and a lonely process - not the ideal solution when you spend a high amount of your time alone anyway. Personally, I think there needs to be a switch in the churches attitude to how to deal with singleness. If someone is alone and wants to be in a relationship, then that is a need. Steps should be taken to meet this in the same way as a food cooking rota meets the need of someone who is at home recovering following an operation. Obviously there is a point where the single person is on their own in the search for love, however I simply think that much more could be done to support them along the way.
Here endeth the rant!