The Jesus Fellowship was the only new church stream that advocated and practised celibacy, claiming it leads to a full life for single people. Within the Jesus Fellowship there were both couples and male and female celibates. The Jesus Fellowship claimed both as high callings. The main justification used for advocating celibacy was that it freed a member for ministry, particularly in the unsocial hours that Jesus Army campaigning required. Some critics have maintained that the Jesus Fellowship taught celibacy as a better or higher way, and that single members felt pressured into making the vow. Others deny this and insist that both marriage and family life, and celibacy are held in high regard in the Jesus Fellowship. Celibacy was, however, described by the Jesus Fellowship as "a precious gem".