Sure, they can I was single for a long time in church and never really had a run in with someone. Oh, there were jealous moments when spiritual growth became apparent, but I would just ignore the matter and keep going. In the Bible it says at 1 Timothy 5:1-2 the correct relationship to develop within the church, I must say I never really did have a problem until a certain time. Most people knew me and had a good pasting "friendship" with me without drama over the years.
1 Timothy 5:1-2
Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
5 Don’t speak angrily to an older man. But talk to him as if he were your father. Treat the younger men like brothers. 2 Treat the older women like mothers. And treat the younger women with respect like sisters.