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	December 2003				Single Women: Challenge to the Church by Kristin Aune, Paternoster Press London 2002. 163pp RRP $21.95
		Book Review - Single Women: Challenge to the Church reviewed by Jenny Matthews
			If you are married or single and concerned with the future of the church Single Women: Challenge to the Church? by Kristin Aune, is required reading. Within the context of this book 'single' is defined as widows, divorced women, women with non-Christian husbands, and those women who have never married. Received wisdom of many Christians has it that a woman has not come to her fullest expression of her Christianity unless she is married and has children; also that the church supports the nuclear family as the only family structure with any legitimacy. 'Family' in the biblical sense meant the immediate family, the household servants and extended family. This is an accessible book written by an evangelical English woman who is completing a Ph.D. on gender and evangelicalism. Aune's own survey findings are liberally backed up by her participants, and are some of the best bits of the book, in the chapter headed 'Church'. Sad reflection 'Husband-hunting?' discusses the stressful experience of most single women in churches where there are few single men, and how this affects their access to roles in the church. Much American 'evangelical' Christian literature stresses that only couples should lead churches and small groups, and then only the male may teach. This is a sad reflection, as while many 'women have an adequate social life within their churches', many still experience loneliness and isolation. This stress to be married can also force some to marry outside the church and then, ironically, this is seen as a 'bad thing'. The chapter 'Theology' is great reading, on singleness as a gift from God. See Mt. 7:11. There is no discussion in the Bible of a state of 'waiting for a partner' and Aune says 'the gift of singleness ...has come to be something Christians seek to get rid of'. Subversive Jesus' relationship with women is discussed calmly, reminding us that it was subversive to the current Jewish teaching, and that a woman was Prime Source Witness to the Resurrection; Paul's writings are wholeheartedly backed up. Could it be that God is focusing our attention on our resurrected state where there will be no male or female, married or single? I am slowly making my way through this chapter again so that I get the full benefit to fend off the 'Bridget Jones days'. Worthwhile recommendations in Chapter 6 include, Let them (single women) use their wide range of gifts to serve God and the church. Do not simply expect them to take on the jobs no one else wants. Do not put marriage on a pedestal. Be honest about its advantages and disadvantages. Teach both single people and the whole church about the benefits of singleness. Different dimension Aune asks participants in her research 'What one thing would you like to say to the church about this issue?' The answers range from 'I am too hurt to put it into words' to 'Jesus is not a consolation prize for the unmarried. We all have a relationship with Him; being married or single just adds a different dimension to it. O.K.!? Grrrrr! (But bless you!)' This book also has great bibliography for further reading. Read it! And enjoy your singleness!