Boundless Cruise
by Ted Slater on 03/28/2007 at 1:03 PM
I don't mean to sidetrack the great discussion going on over at the post Steve started, but one of the comments (thanks, Dan H.!) has provoked me to start a new thread....
Dan H. suggests that we should sponsor:
... a "Boundless Cruise" or some similar activity, where we could meet some of the great columnists, bloggers and writers we have come to know over the years here on the web. As a side effect of an event like this it would get lots of marriage minded singles in one place.
Recognizing that a cruise could be a bit expensive for most of our readers, he added that "perhaps a conference or two around the country would have similar benefits."
Frankly, this sounds like a pretty attractive option to those of us landlocked in Colorado Springs. It wouldn't be the first time Focus has offered such a thing....
1. Blair said the following at 1:15 PM on Mar 28:
I Love the idea, yes it would take some penny pinching on my part, but given enough notice I think I could come up with the money. I also like the idea about the conferences.
2. John Thomas said the following at 1:23 PM on Mar 28:
I'm not sure if this qualifies as a conflict of interest, but as a Boundless writer, count me in!
3. nicole said the following at 1:28 PM on Mar 28:
THIS IS SUCH A GREAT IDEA!!!! There could be a conference on the boat, a singles night or activities, couples activities etc. YEs PleASe.
4. Chantell said the following at 1:34 PM on Mar 28:
John, I don't believe your status as a Boundless writer disqualifies you. However, the fact that you and most other Boundless writers are married prompts me to suggest you all should wear, for the entire duration of the forthcoming Boundless Singles Cruise, t-shirts with giant scarlet "M"s emblazoned across the chest. ;-)
5. jessica said the following at 1:36 PM on Mar 28:
hmmmm ... sounds like fun! I'm interested!
6. Sina said the following at 1:38 PM on Mar 28:
I am so there if you guys have one! I'm willing to save pennies even!
7. Mandi said the following at 1:38 PM on Mar 28:
This is a great idea! With enough notice, and maybe even the possibility of finding sponsorships or something of the sort for younger Boundless readers who may not have the funds, these cruises and/or conferences could be very fruitful. I think there should still be a screening process for folks who aren't courtship/marriage-minded Christians. (This screening may prove a little challenging if Boundless is going to ask about doctrine of would-be participants.)
Hope this won't *only* be for singles...I love Boundless and would love to go with my soon-to-be-fiance if we're married by then! :)
8. Suzanne said the following at 1:46 PM on Mar 28:
I'm with John on this one! :)
9. TD said the following at 2:15 PM on Mar 28:
A cruise would be mighty expensive, but I'd love a conference!
10. Michelle said the following at 2:38 PM on Mar 28:
Having only recently discovered Boundless, I haven't participated on other Boundless activities, but a cruise or *something* sounds great!
I like Chantell's idea about the t-shirts too! :)
11. Aaron said the following at 2:46 PM on Mar 28:
I just took a cruise and discovered it is my favorite way to enjoy a vacation. This Boundless cruise thing sounds great, (maybe a little idealistic?) but I suppose if it were a smaller cruise line it would be possible.
12. Melissa said the following at 3:10 PM on Mar 28:
I think it'd be a great way to meet other Christian singles, and would definitely be there!! On a financial note, as great as a cruise sounds, (I'd save up to go,) but a conference would be a very affordable, as well as enjoyable and educational option.
13. Jonathan from Canada said the following at 4:03 PM on Mar 28:
No Boundless meat markets! No Boundless facilitated lust events!
Putting hundreds of young unmarried men and women on a boat for a week is a bad idea. One can't flee from temptation when she's in the cabin next to you on the same 1000ft boat. Just imagine all the out of wedlock Boundless Babies coming out of this.
OK, exaggerated. But beware hundreds of young people stuck on a boat.
14. Apryl said the following at 4:45 PM on Mar 28:
A friend of mine and I are convinced that Boundless should have a matching site -- the likes of eharmony. So this is definitely a step in that direction. :-) I'd go!
15. Rebekah said the following at 5:18 PM on Mar 28:
not sure I could afford a cruise, but I'd love to go to a conference!
16. Jacob said the following at 6:28 PM on Mar 28:
I wouldn't go on a cruise. A conference would be much more to my liking.
17. Emily said the following at 7:22 PM on Mar 28:
So, I read the Me, Me, Me post before I read this one and feeling rather convicted of my own selfish attitudes. What about a conference with service projects to take the focus off of self and being served in a cruise type environment?
18. Colette said the following at 8:27 PM on Mar 28:
That sounds great! Especially the conference. I would go. :D
19. Sherie said the following at 9:55 PM on Mar 28:
Ooh, and I was just thinking about possible vacation ideas. I love the idea personally, you can count me in!
Not so sure I agree with the sentiment that every event that puts unmarried men and women in the same location turns into a 'meat market' or 'lust event'. With the right kind of boundaries, rules, and Godly people in place for accountability, it would more likely be a fun and enlightening way to spend a vacation with like-minded Christians :)
20. Laur said the following at 10:04 PM on Mar 28:
yum. love it! i am particularly fond of any idea that involves face-to-face meetings.
21. Bradley Morris said the following at 10:06 PM on Mar 28:
First of all...Ladies, please check out my web site. If you are not interested in me, then your opinion of my approach and site content are always welcome. Sorry, I needed the exposure and took advantage of the opportunity.
http://www.marrymeplease.org
Mandi's idea about sponsorship is a great idea. I would be willing to help sponsor someone. I would suggest that the disbursement of monies remain anonymous, so there are no feelings of obligation or expectation on either person's part.
Also Mandi's idea about screening would definitely be a plus, though requiring a lot of man hours to implement. Might have to get help and advice from the crew with the Rocky Mountain Christian Singles Mixers (http://www.rockymtncsm.blogspot.com/)
Chantell's idea about the t-shirts would really be good. I would hate to ask someone to join me for a conversation or a coffee if they were married.
And on the subject of "asking", maybe a couple of workshops on how to "ask" during the first couple of days of the cruise would really help those introverts, like myself.
I am going to start setting aside funds now.
22. Michelle said the following at 11:02 PM on Mar 28:
While the idea of a cruise sounds fun, PLEASE stay true to the ministry heart of Boundless! My first reaction was similar to "Jonathan from Canada" -- creating an outlet for discussion and thought has been an awesome addition to Boundless, but if readers are seeking romantic relationships through discussion forums and cruises, I fear the integrity of the ministry may be lost.
Because really, let's be honest...if there WAS a conference/cruise, I'm sure that, for many, the primary motivation would not be to learn more about the single life or to simply have a place to convene with other single believers - ahem. I mean, come on. You would go fully knowing that every other person on that boat is single and likely interested in marriage, or wouldn't be there, right?? Not that God doesn't work in those kind of circumstances, but I guess I'm just not a fan of the whole 'floating meat market' idea.
23. Cherise said the following at 6:03 AM on Mar 29:
Sounds wonderful! I'm about to go on my first cruise, and it happens to be the Christian Music Boat, where singles are also welcome. A conference would be more affordable, but I'm definitely in favor of a Boundless Cruise!
24. Christina said the following at 6:08 AM on Mar 29:
I wholeheartedly agree with Emily. I think there should be some sort of service element involved. I think a cruise is great but do your own housekeeping...or find some sort of outreach/service project while you're in port.
Bradley Morris....seriously? Although I'm quick to think that your website is a joke, I promise to check it out. I'm always willing to give my opinion when asked.
25. Chantell said the following at 8:39 AM on Mar 29:
The "meat market" thought occurred to me too, but I quickly dismissed it once I realized that it was prompted by my pride. A woman like ME, placing herself among the clamoring masses? NEVER! Better to rot here, atop my high horse, all alone, patient and pure.
By the grace of GOD, I'm beginning to get over myself. I share my misguided thoughts in case there are others out there who would dismiss the cruise idea for similar reasons.
I've also sensed an overwrought fear of sexuality plaguing this blog. It's my belief that this fear dampens single guys' motivation and drives some readers' concern that a singles cruise will turn into a modern-day Sodom and Gomorrah. A collective deep breath seems to be in order. In through your nose for 5 seconds, then out through your mouth. We'll get through this, people. And we'll be the better for it.
26. Dawn said the following at 8:40 AM on Mar 29:
How about having the cruise be open to singles and young marrieds/couples? Having a broader range of marital status on board would help people keep themselves in check. Yes, a cruise would be a great way to meet other singles, but we should be careful not to compromise building a relationship and getting to know someone before running full steam ahead into marriage as may be the tendency for people who meet in a singles only environment. Also, if there was a screening process what would type of person would be allowed or not allowed to board? People who think they are ready for marriage right then, people who would like to develop a relationship and see where it goes, people who want to date but tend to freak out when dealing with someone of the opposite sex? If the criteria was strict what would happen to someone who “passed” the screening as a marriage-minded single, who was truly single, and then ended up dating/courting someone before the cruise actually started? Would they still be allowed to go? Would there be an anger management class offered afterward for all the people who went and were still single at the end of the cruise (kidding!)?
It sounds like a great idea, but honestly, as a single woman who probably wouldn’t be able to get any of her single friends to go, I would be hesitant to sign-up unless I knew that it would be a safe place to get to know a guy and a safe place to decline to get to know him.
27. JenR said the following at 9:09 AM on Mar 29:
What about someone who would happily go on a cruise (or to a conference) with the intent of meeting other like-minded people her age but would most likely balk at the thought of being screened for "married-mindedness"? I love the idea, but mostly because I'm in that awkward stage of no longer in college/not married/away from family, and would enjoy the social aspect. Not the potential "suitor" aspect.
Also, I second (third?) Emily's idea of the event being service-oriented. My experience is that service projects offer more avenues for bonding than sipping iced tea on the Lido deck. Not that I have anything against a cruise... but could there be Boundless opportunities to serve communities? Sort of like a Meet'n'Greet with a Purpose.
28. Aaron Shackelford said the following at 9:38 AM on Mar 29:
I have a hard time picturing a strictly singles cruise, even one that included married couples, as a sucess. But what about adding the singles mixer aspect to an already existing christian cruise and hosting boundless activities amidst the other group activities (I'd love to go on one of the christian music cruises and singles events would be an added bonus)? In my mind that seems like at least a good place to start.
P.S. A friend told me a cruise is a great way to do a honeymoon ;).
29. Sam said the following at 10:50 AM on Mar 29:
I wish Boundless would spend more time focused on helping singles be content with their current lives (because no matter what the future holds, this is God's will for us at this time) and become more mature Christians. I hate to see this site become ALLLLLL about dating and matchmaking. It also seems I may be one of the few who don't come to Boundless for dating advice.
30. April L. said the following at 11:46 AM on Mar 29:
Great idea - much more attractive sounding than something online. I also think it would be really fun to bring a family member or two along (as well as much more comfortable for someone like me!)...
Most of us want to get married, so it isn't the worst thing in the world to do something that might bring us closer to that goal! But it just sounds less scary when it isn't actually called a matchmaking event!
So count me in...
31. Darin said the following at 3:04 PM on Mar 29:
I have a variation off of April's idea of bringing a family member. Perhaps the ladies could bring their fathers along! (We could call it a "purity cruise" and that might also prevent the Sodom and Gomorrah thing from happening.)
Seriously, I think that it would be great if the ladies could bring their fathers.
32. MH said the following at 4:17 PM on Mar 29:
I can't afford a cruise, but I would try my hardest to come to a boundless conference. My siblings and I read your columns every week, and they very frequently come up in our conversations.
Thanks for all your creativity!
33. Helen said the following at 6:02 PM on Mar 29:
A cruise might be a bit much, but I'd definitely try very hard to attend a conference.
Also, would there be visa/passport concerns with a cruise?
34. Emily said the following at 7:17 PM on Mar 29:
What a FABULOUS idea! Perhaps it could start with a conference (or 2!) -- Lord willing. I think a conference might be a tad more affordable than a cruise, which is important if you are considering the whole "marriage-minded/singles" crowd. I'm sure there are dozens of colleges around the nation that would be happy to host a Boundless conference during the summer -- the Christian university I attended was always hosting mission trips, focus groups, and conferences during our summers off.
But please, oh please, pick somewhere in the midwest. ;)
35. Tiffany Coldiron said the following at 12:29 PM on Mar 30:
I love this idea!!! :) The conference is definetly something I would attend.
36. Dr. Ransom said the following at 5:31 PM on Mar 30:
Regarding the Boundless singles' cruise, with or without the temptation involved with packing dozens of rather eligible -- and, at least until the tickets purchase, independently wealthy -- singles on one boat, I have this to say:
"Love, exciting and new,
Come aboard.
We're expecting you.
Love, life's sweetest reward.
Let it flow,
it floats back to you.
"The Love Boat
Soon will be making another run.
The Love Boat
Promises something for everyone.
Set a course for adventure,
Your mind on a new romance.
"Love won't hurt anymore
It's an open smile on a friendly shore.
"It's Looooove!
Welcome aboard - It's Looooove!"
Methinks I'll pass.
But as for a conference, will not New Attitude, on Memorial Day weekend in Louisville, Ky., suffice?
37. Jason W said the following at 12:31 AM on Apr 3:
Can you come to Brisbane, Australia!
38. Sara said the following at 1:10 PM on Nov 9:
Just for some Friday fun, read through some of this, then look at Dr. Ransom's response a couple quotes up. Funny!